10Y Camp at Mt Aspiring

By Richard Roe | Posted: Thursday March 19, 2026

It was a Monday morning, far too early for school.

Regardless, a group of excited young men had gathered at the archway in the murky half-light, ready for adventure – 10Y camp at Mt Aspiring.

Provisions and gear were loaded onto the bus, and we were off shortly after 7am. The journey was uneventful, with glimpses of scenery offered between the walls of fluorescent pink road cones along the way. Everyone pitched in to ensure the supplies were safely uploaded to the lodge, and there was still some time for the first (unsuccessful) fishing expedition prior to dinner.

Day 2 was all about preparation for our overnight camp: learning how to put up tents, use the Trangia cookers, and decide what to pack. After a hearty lunch of saveloys, we set off walking in a northerly direction, covering about 8km and setting up camp in the East Matukituki Valley. Some hardy souls braved the icy river for a dip, while others tried their hand at fishing. Joel managed to land a rainbow trout, which his group enjoyed rock-fried as a supplement to their rations for dinner.

A heavy dew overnight and cool temperatures made for a slow start on Day 3. Once the porridge and camp scones had been consumed (enjoyed by some, ruined by others!), we had a brief exploration further up the valley to see what this part of the National Park had to offer. After lunch, and once we had returned our campsite to its original state, we headed back to the lodge and the comforts of a hot shower, a comfortable mattress, and a fantastic feast. For the first time that I can recall on a camp, the class were treated to some fine venison steaks, cooked on the hot plate along with sausages. The deer had been shot by Joel prior to the camp and kindly donated by his family.

Thursday morning seemed to disappear quickly with catching up on chores, but after an early lunch the boys had a choice between orienteering, dam construction, and kayaking. With only a small group opting for kayaking, the decision was made to take them all the way up to the road end and kayak the 4km back down to our bridge. The river was in perfect condition and, even though the weather wasn’t great, we were able to enjoy some exhilarating rapids along the way.

The predicted rain came through that night, raising river levels but creating some great waterfall action. Once it cleared, groups were back out working on their dam construction and checking the trapping line, followed by a sporting competition organised by the Year 13s.

Our final day in the valley was a stunner, and we enjoyed a pleasurable stroll out to meet the incoming class (10O) before relaxing on the bus for our drive home.

A massive thanks to the staff team and our Year 13 helpers, who ensured that the camp ran smoothly and gave the boys a positive camp experience. 10Y were a great group to share the wilderness with, and I am sure they have all come away with new skills and experiences.

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