Student Trip Weekend

Orientation week concluded with student trip weekend. One group headed out to Abel Tasman National Park while the other hiked Mt. Owen. Each group had a wonderful time exploring the beauty that New Zealand has to offer. One group enjoyed the Department of Conservation huts nestled in the rocky peaks, while the other tented  on the coast of Tasman Bay. 

A look into Sarah, Cara, Alyssa, and Renee's trip to Abel Tasman National Park.

Here's what Gordon student Nathan had to say about his hike up Mt. Owen:

"Student trip weekend rolled around and nine of us, Jake, Chad, Alex, Shelby, Amanda, Bennett, Brett, Brian (Sustainable Food Coordinator) and I, decided to spend the time climbing Mt. Owen–the highest peak in Kahurangi National Park near the southern tip of the south island. After a six hour drive (in which we only got side-tracked once!) we took off Friday afternoon for Granity Pass Hut–8.5 km and a 1200m climb. It was hot as! (A kiwi way of saying real hot). Within minutes we were all sweating rivers under the hot sun.

 

After a restful night at the hut (while listening to Keas calling in the distance) we headed out for the Mt. Owen summit Saturday morning. For those of you who have seen The Fellowship of the Ring, the scene where the fellowship leaves Moria, after Gandalf falls after the Balrog, was filmed on the slopes of Mt. Owen. The mountain is covered in shattered and sharp water-eroded troughs, spires and caverns. Mt. Owen (1875m) sits on top of New Zealand’s largest subterranean cave system! After hours clambering up and over the rocky ramparts to the top and back down we arrived back at the hut to discover that we had about 15 neighbor trampers as well. Although crowded we enjoyed getting to know some fellow hikers.

             

Sunday morning we left early, retracting our steps back down the ridge towards the carpark. The day was beautiful and as we hiked the sun slowly rose, illuminating the steep limestone cliffs all around us. Another five-hour car ride later (cheers Brian for doing all the driving!) we found ourselves back at the Old Convent, a bit dirty but thrilled with our alpine adventure."

 

Overall, we’re having a fantastic time in the warm summer weather. Keep warm America!