Snow tests mettle on academy's trip

Apprentice bushmasters from the Makoura College Services Academy have completed their latest adventure surviving the freezing wilds of Waiouru.

Services academy member Nykyta Kuri, who below outlines the trip in her own words, said the New Zealand Defence Basic Bush Craft Skills training course was demanding but each of the Makoura College students rose to the occasion and the event was unforgettable.

Day 1: We departed Makoura College at 0800 hours after an inspection of our kit to ensure we had the appropriate equipment and to make certain we also did not have any illegal items such as phones and iPods. Thanks to our driver, Mr Hullah, we eventually arrived in Waiouru in one piece, to be received by our instructors for what was to be an exciting cold week of bush craft skills.

Day 2: We set out on a 17km tramp on roads, up hills, and I mean hills, in possibly the worst conditions I have ever walked in, as it started to snow and this was to be the flavour of the weather for the next three days.

Day 3: We participate in the survival phase where we tramped to an area, again in the snow, and started to construct improvised shelters out of trees and brush we found. We had to live in the shelter for the night and once again the snow still fell and once again it was cold.

The next day we were woken up early and taken to the mess for a proper meal and then told we were then to get ready for our river crossing and camp out in tents. This was by far the best day, but, yes we were still cold. They day started off with us going on the army's Unimogs to our next destination as it was a long way away from Waiouru Camp only to be told we were going for a walk in the river, for river crossing - our hearts sank as it still was very cold, but in our heads we knew tomorrow we go home. So we went river crossing using the techniques we were taught. We then tramped to our campsite, set up our camp and that was us. The last night was the best - the highlights were the snow, the snow fights and snowman competitions.

We were constantly reminded that we worked in the worst possible conditions, we finished what was asked of us and now everything else is going to be easy. It is truly something we will never forget.