“The annual Matric Mountain Challenge is all about personal growth, along with an opportunity to do something that takes each participant out of their comfort zone,” said Dave Padbury of Wilderness Adventures, after he had seen the Waterfall College class of 2016 safely back from Injisuthi in the central Drakensburg last week.
There are three distinctive parts to the challenge: planning and preparation, the hike to the caves and living in the caves. The walk to the caves is about eight kilometres, but is challenging enough to those who have never experienced hiking before. The pupils described living in the caves as a really special time as the environment surrounding them was ‘beautiful’.
“The night skies are spectacular. Frolicking in the rivers and waterfalls is a unique experience,” said Johan Marais, newly-appointed Waterfall College head of FET (senior phase).
Some of the matric pupils were asked to write down their personal feedback, and Amy-Rose Jack wrote, “The mountains are a place to get away to, to find peace with yourself and discover the wonders of the world. My adventure was breath-taking, making me realise how important and magical the earth really is.”
Byron Wood commented, “We were overwhelmed by the beauty of our surroundings.”
Matric marketing portfolio twin sisters, Taryn and Kayla Simmonds, wrote, “It was a challenge for many of us, but once we were at the top of the mountain, the views were beautiful. The best part of the trip was star gazing at night. The stars were so bright and the sky so clear. We feel privileged to have had that experience.”
JMarais accompanied the group and said, “The Grade 12 Mountain Challenge was certainly that; it was an amazing experience for all involved, especially the matrics, who had the chance to bond as a group for the last time as they reach the end of their school careers, as well as to get to know themselves a little better.”
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Class of 2016, which will now be tackling the books to prepare for June examinations, followed by trial examinations and finals. “The memories they have created together during the three days in the mountains will surely be treasured. Thanks must go to Dave Padbury and his team at Wilderness Adventures for yet another excellent, safety-conscious outdoor experience for Waterfall College,” said the school’s principal, Jeanette van der Merwe.
