Adventurous Journey

For Adventurous Journeys in NZ you are on the right page - if you want to do your Journey overseas then please go here

For NZ trips we have a list of suggested tramps to help you plan your journey.

Download PDF of suggested NZ routes (590kb)

The Programme

The aim of this Section is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.

This Section focuses on your development as an individual and the way you work as part of a group, not just overcoming the physical demands of the venture.

Ventures are done with a purpose and undertaken on foot, by cycle, on horseback, in canoes or boats without motorised assistance.

Your Adventurous Journey Section should provide you with opportunities to:

• demonstrate enterprise
• work as a member of a team
• respond to a challenge
• develop self-reliance
• develop leadership skills
• recognise the needs and strengths of others
• make decisions and accept the consequences
• plan and execute a task
• reflect on a personal performance
• enjoy and appreciate the outdoors

There are three types of qualifying venture

• Expedition - an outdoor journey with a purpose
• Exploration - still outdoors but involving some research or exploration rather than just a point to point journey
• Other Adventurous Projects (Gold only) - where the challenge is outside the bounds of either of the other two types

The process

1. Training - all participants need to cover the preliminary training no matter what the venture is
2. Practice Journey - all participants need to undertake the appropriate number of practice journeys
3. Qualifying Journey - the qualifying venture. See the table below for requirements

Requirements

There are between 4 - 7 participants for each venture plus an assessor/shadow party.

	Bronze	Silver	Gold
Duration	2 days 1 night	3 days 2 nights	4 days 3 nights
Planned activity	approx 6 hours daily	approx 7 hours daily	approx 8 hours daily
Walking	20 - 25 km	40 - 50 km	65 - 80 km
Cycling	120km sealed roads 80km unsealed roads	210km sealed roads 140km unsealed roads	330km sealed roads 220km unsealed roads
Horseriding	50km	100km	160km
Rowing Canoeing	at least 4 hours daily	at least 5 hours daily	at least 6 hours daily
Sailing	12 hours planned activity over the 2 days	21 hours planned activity over the 3 days	32 hours planned activity over the 4 days

Please also refer to The Award Handbook, the Exploration Guide and the Adventurous Journey Training Manuals.

Have a look at a list of suggestions for expeditions around New Zealand (pdf 360kb) (Please note that for Gold Qualifying expeditions you still need to apply for an approval number even if you are doing an expedition from this list).

Winter Restrictions

Expeditions in the North Island, south of Lake Taupo, should not be undertaken between 31 May and 1 September above 900 metres. In the South Island expeditions should not be undertaken between 31 May and 1 November above 800 metres because of melting snows and the dangers of avalanches and swollen rivers.

 

Completing a Qualifying Expedition in New Zealand

If you are doing your Award in another country but are interested in completing your qualifying expedition here in New Zealand you need to know the following information:

• June - September is the New Zealand winter - it gets cold! There are also height restrictions for the North and South Islands between May and September/November because of the dangers involved with melting snow eg swollen rivers, avalanches etc.
  
  
• We ask that you participate in and complete Gold level expedition training and practice journeys before doing a qualifying journey here in New Zealand - even if you have already completed them in your own country. The New Zealand geography and climate is different to other countries and has little respect for those who are unprepared.
  
• The Award Programme in New Zealand does not organise expedition groups. However it may be possible for us to link you up with an Operating Authority (a group or organisation licensed to run our programme) who may be able to help you depending on which part of New Zealand you are wanting to explore.

Check out our Expedition Guide (pdf 319kb) for overseas visitors

See also the list of accredited outdoor providers

 

For further information please contact us:

E-mail: info@dofehillary.org.nz
Phone: +64 04 568 4091

The following websites will give you some basic information about New Zealand weather, expedition supplies, tracks etc.

• Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ
• Department of Conservation
• NZ Land Search & Rescue
• Up-to-date information on backcountry snow stability and avalanche danger
• Snow related information site
• NZ Outdoor Instructions Association

Please view the below link and document for details on outdoor incidents and reporting:
National Incident Database

Incident Severity Scale (96kb pfd)

NID Outdoor Education Recreation Incident Report Form (71kb MS Word)