Scotch College

Month:

In the first term holidays, thirty-five Year 8 boys, eight Year 11 boys and four brave teachers took the one and a half hour trip to Mount Disappointment for the 2002 Year 8 hike.

We were split up into four groups. I was in group B. All four groups were gradually led off into the bush for what was to be a two and a half day fun filled hike through the Victorian bush. After half an hour, my group all swore that their packs weren't going to slow them down whatever, but half an hour later these remarks were heard: 'My back hurts', 'My legs are sore'.

After seven and a half kilometres of bush, we set up camp for the first night. All went to bed rather early (7:30 for most of us).

In the morning, we all grumbled about packing up our soggy wet tents (it had rained the night before), and having to clean up our stoves (none of us had yet mastered the art of cooking with a small methylated spirits stove the night before). Finally we were off again.

We had eaten a lot the night before, so our packs were a bit lighter. It started to rain a bit in the morning, but after lunch it stopped. One place I enjoyed very much was a place called Strath Falls, which was a waterfall at the end of a steep gully. Countless times people slipped and fell over and you could hear the laughter of the rest of the group (it is a lot funnier when it happens to someone else!). The steep walk/trip/roll down the gully was worth it, and gave me one of the best views I have ever seen in my life.

We filled our water bottles in the cool refreshing water, and then had a competition to see who could throw a rock off the steep falls the furthest.

After our small break at Strath Falls we climbed up some rocks and walked 200 metres to that night's campsite. That night we had a campfire, and the task that night was to collect some firewood.

The third and final day had arrived and there was much grumbling again because the metho stoves had to be completely spotless, or else we couldn't leave. About two hours later we left and walked five kilometres to the buses, which were to take us home.

A fun time was had by all.

Ben Andrews
Year 8