Sunrise Hut on Thursday

In the weeks leading up to camp I continually heard about the infamous hike to Sunrise Hut from both the students and other teachers. Sunrise hut is an all-day adventure. We rise at 7 am for breakfast, pack lunches, take the bus to the Swamp Track, and begin the 2 ½ hour climb to Sunrise Hut. We strategically aligned ourselves – Taryn leading at the front with Room 3, Emma in the middle with Room 6, and Amanda bringing up the back with Room 6. The rest of the parent chaperones were scattered throughout the line. The path only allowed for a single file line – possibly groups of two to take on the twists and turns of the path that leads through changing forest types in the Ruahine Forest Park to the top where there are beautiful views of the Hawke’s Bay plains. Sunrise Hut – our final destination – sits at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters.

Hiking to the top with 90 students (with the best attitudes) was a truly amazing experience. The views along the path were remarkably breathtaking as the forest types changed and were more “tropical” than anything I would experience in Indiana and the Midwest. While I am decently in shape the walk was still challenging to my fitness level. The students needed a lot of motivation and encouragement to keep going. I found myself walking with a group of boys (some of the more difficult ones behaviorally) so we spent a lot of time talking about sports – rugby and American football.

When we arrived at the top everyone was required to put on every piece of clothing that they brought with them because the elevation and the northern winds could cause hypothermia within 15 minutes if not properly dressed. As you can see from the pictures – I had the fashion statement going on, but I was quite warm. We spent about 30 minutes at the top – long enough to eat lunch – before beginning the descent (which was conveniently only 2 hours) as some questionable clouds came into the area. We arrived back at camp around 4 pm with a group of absolutely exhausted students (and teachers).

I would say that the trip up to Sunrise Hut was my favorite event from camp. It was challenging physically, but provided a bonding opportunity to this the students and produced the most breathtaking views of the Hawke’s Bay region. Standing at the top and looking at the miles and miles (kilometers and kilometers) that spread out before me is an image and feeling I will never forget.

Stopping for morning tea before beginning the hike

Views from the top of Sunrise Track

Snow on the neighboring peaks - many of my students
had never seen snow close enough to touch. Luckily
there were a few patches of snow where we were for
the students to feel.

Sunrise Hut - our lunch spot, but it is a cabin that sleeps
20 people in bunks with a kitchen if a group is
adventurous enough to hike up with all of their
gear and spend the night.

Check out this fashion statement

Taryn, Emma, Casey, Me, and Amanda -
Teachers at the top! :)

Questionable clouds that moved in, but we luckily
escaped without any rain or snow

Views during the walk down 

One of the students asked me why I "took a picture of a corner"
It was hard to explain that things do not look like this
where I live in the States - not as green and tropical
and beautiful and breathtaking.