Too much all at once!
Hi folks
Long time no update.
I’m pretty slack like that… I get too much going on so I wanna stop and take the time to write up something BIG and IMPORTANT. I wanna do it justice so I can’t just arbitrarily pick 5 minutes out of my day to do it. No, I’ve got to take HOURS out to tell the story in an appropriately HUGE fashion.
But I never do
So here’s my last few weeks in haphazard, million-miles-an-hour form.
First week of the school holidays I ditched the family – meaning both no easter and being away for Kirsty’s birthday – for Waiouru. What that?!?! My answer? Take it up with my Unit Commander.
See our unit (ATC) needs a qualified Outdoor Leader. And guess who is first in line for THAT? Yup… me. So I spend two days learning Outdoor First Aid under the instruction of the Marc from the Mountain Safety Council. GREAT guy, and heaps learned… including the meaning of the word “crepitus”, which is the noise broken bones make when they grind against each other. I also learned what a bush wax-job was (strapping tape plus hairy legs = PAAAAAAIN!)
Next up was lots of classroom sessions on such interesting things as the Environmental Care Code (Take only fotographs, leave only phootprints), Map to Ground navigation (no compasses here folks), basic weather analysis and the principle of layered clothing (how to dress for the outdoors). After this was a day doing navigation practicals then a wee dip in one of the local (icy) rivers for River Crossing and Pack floating. Yes it WAS as cold as this looks.
Luckily for us, the last 4 days – which were the ones we spent outdoors in tents – were BRILLIANTLY fine! Quite chilly overnight, but otherwise LOVELY! Day 4 of our out and about session was our assessment date. We started by being ‘mogged (Unimog, i.e. Army Truck) out to a spot called Edinburgh Castle, which looked just like this.
AWESOME view to say the very least! I’ve got a few other pics up on Facebook if you care to look.
I also got to meet some FANTASTIC people. So a big shout out to all of you, particularly:
-
my brother from another mother, Tipi of 75 SQN. Woop Woop!
Shambles – yer totally insane and so long as I’m allowed the right to gag you occasionally, we’re friends for life man!
Tone – get well soon! My thoughts are with you as you face your mountain. You are not alone!
James – Duck rockers for life!
Shan – good times man, good times!
Jase – dude if I NEVER have to share a tent that small with you again it’ll be too soon. Yay for man-cuddles hehe
Everyone else!!!! Yer all awesome!!
Anyhoo… out the other end I’m now a qualified outdoor leader (pending paperwork) and a member of the NZ Moutain Safety Council. Where to from here?? Onwards and upwards. Ultimately I wanna become Bush 1 and then MSC Assessor qualified, meaning I can go back and teach others what I’ve just been taught. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS MAN! Sitting here looking out my window I really wish I was out THERE!
OODL – Waiouru 2009
27
Apr
i recognise the guy nex to the river…oh and were any of ours on gliding???
That dude is Peter Gilliland and our OODL was at least his 12th Outdoor Leaders course (CDTs and/or Officers).
In our river crossing lesson they showed a pic of a CDT group – all smiles – doing a perfect river crossing. I nearly coughed my coffee all over the desk as I saw a very fresh faced young Slinky hanging on to the end of the group! World famous in Waiberia, dude.
Oooops sorry half an answer. No we’ve never had anyone on Matamata gliding.
ahh so it is…he staffed my outdoors and my advanced leaders….post to follow…
wow moonij, no wonder im getting away with posting totally inapropriate postings on TGM
Ya damn jungle bunny!
Bugger inappropriate I say. It’s all good humour, lazmataz