Off to the Kiwi bush for NZSF-4!

Students on NZSF-4-09/27/2012, the final semester of the Austral Spring season, arrived to the branch in Christchurch on Thursday 27 September. After two days of prep at the branch, the group departed for the town of Kaikoura to learn more about the local culture. Next, NZSF-4 is off to the Lake Daniels region for Hiking (called "tramping" down under) with their instructors Andy and Scott (pictured below).

Hike instructors: Andy Clifford (originally from the UK, now residing in New Zealand) and Scott Barksdale (originally from Arkansas USA, now residing in Australia)

 

A good part of the prep days involve measuring, weighing and bagging hundreds of kilos of food. These students packed enough food for 9 ration periods, with each ration period separated and moved into storage as the course gets underway. The students left the branch carrying Ration #1 -- enough pasta, spices, hot cocoa, ramen noodles, scroggin for 8 days. Their next ration period will be delivered to them out in the bush via 4WD vehicle.

Sorting the ration into duffle bags

Rations Manager Julie helps a student organize the storage container

Course Calendar

Cultural: 29 - 30 Sep

1 – Hiking: 30 Sep to 30 Oct

Field switch:  30 Oct

2 – Canoeing: 30 Oct to 20 Nov

Field Switch: 20 Nov

3 – Sea Kayaking: 20 Nov to 11 Dec

In town: 11 Dec

Course ends: 12 Dec

 

Course Roster

Anderson, E.

Buddle, G.

Fort, D.

Friday, H.

Holzman, N.

Jenkins, K.

Longo, M.

Silverman, B.

Stathakis, P.

Williams, M.