Silver Duke Expeditions Underway

This year has seen a record number of students take on the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. As part of the programme, two three-day practice expeditions were completed in March, moving through the Kaimai Ranges and Karangahake Gorge.

Each expedition gave students the opportunity to apply their outdoor skills in a more demanding setting. Navigation, river crossings, and group decision-making became part of the daily rhythm. At each campsite, students were responsible for pitching tents and preparing their own meals, while remaining mindful of their impact on the environment. 

Both groups were fortunate with the weather, experiencing some of the North Island’s breathtaking landscapes at their best. Enjoying the terrain shifts from river valleys to ridgelines, the students weren’t short for variety. The historic mining remains of the Karangahake Gorge, in particular, added a little history for interest along the way. After covering many kilometres each day, evenings were habitually finished with a river dip, welcoming in the clear, star-filled skies.

These expedition’s struck the perfect balance between challenge and fun. It provided time with friends, shared progress, and confidence built for the Qualifying Expedition on Great Barrier Island later this year.