Objective
To practise off-track navigation skills, especially using compasses and reading maps.
Location
The Matamata Scout Hut on McNeil’s property (GR 661663. See below for map.
Times
· Depart Tauranga Boys College Friday 12th 5:30pm
· Arrive back at Tauranga Boys College Sunday 14th 3.00pm.
Travel
By private cars.
Cost
The cost is $30 per person. Payable on or before Wednesday 10th June.
Food and Equipment
· A BBQ meal will be provided on Saturday night.
· Bring your own food for the rest of the weekend.
· You can sleep under a tarp or in a tent.
· Bring a day pack for Saturday
· Pack for the usual day walk in the bush
· You must have ALL the compulsory day-walk items
· You should be prepared for wet weather and colder nights
The Program
· On Saturday a navigation exercise through (mostly) untracked bush
· This will be a minimum of 4km
· Sunday will be various survival and navigation exercises.
Warnings
· Take care on the river crossings and turn back if you deem them to be unsafe.
· The rocks in the streams get very slippery when wet
· Some fences are electric
· Colder Weather so come prepared
· Ensure your torches are adequate
Special Note
On this exercise you will need thorough Route Planning. It is not a difficult exercise if you keep to your bearings. You will notice that terrain awareness is crucial and you will be navigating from high point to high point. Between each high point there are streams ridges and other significant features for you to judge distance and time, so on your route plan make special note of these features and the time it will take to reach them.
I am happy for you to work together in small groups however I do not want you to copy from one or two people’s calculations on Friday night or Saturday morning. This can lead to everyone making the same mistake. The sooner you have completed your route plan and day gear check list the sooner you can leave on Saturday morning.
Make sure you have a plastic bag for your route plan so it doesn’t dissolve in your hands. You will need it throughout you exercise.Please calculate both directions, clockwise and anticlockwise.
