On the first weekend of May, several members of the Rotorua Tramping Club took part in a navigation and river crossing course run by Outdoor Training NZ (OTNZ). We camped at the Dickey Flat DOC campsite in the beautiful Karangahake Gorge. We spent the first morning learning the theory of map reading, practicing compass skills, giving grid references and making a route plan. We had plenty of time to ask questions, discuss scenarios and received lots of handy tips and tricks. 

We planned a six-station route using the topo map, worked out what compass bearings we would need to take at each station, what terrain to expect and an estimated time of arrival at each point depending on the terrain. We estimated that the whole tramp would take approximately one hour.   

Theory-based navigational skills

After lunch we split into two teams of four, with each person being designated the role of either navigator, leader, communications (with a radio) or first aid. The roles were rotated during the activity. We set off on our planned route with our instructor Robyn shadowing us and in radio communication. We learned how important it was to work as a team and to trust the process. 

The area chosen for the activity was perfect – we were able to get off track very quickly and were all surprised at how soon we felt confused and lost in our surroundings. Being experienced trampers, we thought we would have found this much easier. It really highlighted not only the importance of having map and compass skills, but also the basics such as telling someone at home your plan, having first aid, safety gear and extra food and water. The activity took over two hours, which was more than twice what we had planned on.

Practicing navigation skills

On Day 2 with a little trepidation, we made our way to the Ohinemuri River in the Karangahake Gorge, along with Robyn, our trainer. There we met Gerry the OTNZ trainer, along with his helpers, David and Adara.

We started at the riverbank for land-based training. After double-checking no valuables were in our packs (just in case our dry bags failed!) and we were all mentally prepared, we headed down to the river’s edge where we put our learnings into practice. It is certainly more difficult than it looks going in a cold river with very slippery rocks underfoot!

First we learned how to walk through knee to thigh-deep water only, on our own and in a group. Afterwards, we progressed onto another lesson:  moving safely to avoid obstacles and how to retreat if the water becomes too deep and/or dangerous. 

Then the real meaty part. Firstly, in a group we walked together into the river (with full packs on). Once it became so deep that our feet couldn’t reach the ground, we pack-floated together in groups of four navigating and steering together to the designated exit point at the bank. And we all made it – and yes, the water was very cold! Who knew that packs floated so well. 

Group pack-floating

That accomplished, it was solo pack-floating down the river to the same exit point. This was now getting quite fun!

Now fully wet and cold, it was onto practicing getting caught up in a strainer (i.e. pretending we got caught up on something in or partly out of the water, such as a log, fencing, etc.). We had to escape out of our packs and safely get to shore . . . preferably with our backpacks! Everyone succeeded in doing this exercise, also.

Solo pack-floating

The last exercise was the difficult one, referred to as entrapment:  pretending to be totally submerged and trapped by something. The trainers did this by physically holding us underwater in deep water, where we had to get free of our backpacks and surface without drowning! Quite daunting, but it was great to practice this in a safe environment (nobody drowned). We all felt very proud of ourselves afterwards. All the activities were voluntary, and no one had to do anything with which they didn’t feel comfortable.

Entrapment

We all agreed that this was an excellent course – well run, well-paced and a great balance of theory and practice. We even (grudgingly) agreed that it was better to do this in cold water, as we are now aware of the shock factor and know that we can overcome it. We would highly recommend this course to anyone who loves the outdoors, and we are looking forward to developing our skills further in the future. 

Thanks again to our trainers and helpers:  Robyn, Gerry, David and Adara and especially to the FMC for the grant that we received to cover the cost of these two courses for the club.

The Rotorua Tramping and Skiing Club was awarded a FMC Training Grant: a cash grant to support the club to access this professional training. To learn more about the Training Grant, or to apply, please visit the FMC website.