// Taming the West Coast
By AC Brent White
The ETS group
On Tuesday 6 January 2009, 11 brave and not-too-bad looking gentlemen from Base Woodbourne’s Electro-technology Training Squadron (ETS) set out on a journey to the South Island’s mighty West Coast.
The unexpectedly sunny trip took around four hours leaving us plenty of time to set up camp in the vast wilderness of the Nelson Creek campsite, just outside Greymouth.
Having just been on the road, the first thing to do was carry out a recon of the old sluices and tracks around this former mining site then rest up while our illustrious leaders foraged for food for the coming week. After a revitalizing dip in the creek and the arrival of our groceries, we feasted before catching an intermittent kip on Air Force issue stretchers. Well, that’s everyone except SGT Regan who decided it would be far more comfortable to sleep in a hammock and F/S Hills who used a solid tent resembling a van.
The other way
The next day we rose bright and early, before going blackwater rafting. This involved walking in a very cold river in the dark on the rocks next to a nice flowing river carrying our tubes. But the spa bath and orange juice afterwards were nice.
Next on the agenda was a 10 kilometre trek up to a little less than 900 metres above sea level. Driven by F/S Hills’ hunger for the top, we charged up at a wild pace covering the distance in only three hours.
Feeling rejuvenated after a mosquito-free sleep in the hut we clambered out of bed to bolt down the slope just in time to catch a tour at a famous Greymouth landmark, which was just what we needed to freshen us up for the next stage – a horse trek. The trek was an interesting experience for all, where we took turns spinning dodgy yarns. SGT Hamilton was able to explain the ‘ye ole zebra wrangling’ techniques he’d learnt from a SAS conversion course he completed back in the day.
A well-deserved cuppa
After a somewhat sore goodbye to the horses it was off to the Pancake Rocks were we watched in amusement as unsuspecting tourists were blasted by unpredictable blowholes.
The final night’s great sleep led us to a swift pack up, with us leaving Nelson Creek slightly more enlightened than when we had arrived.
Highlights of the trip included LAC Johnson clinging to his phone for the duration of the trip; SGT Regan getting devoured by mosquitos during his sleep in the hammock and SGT Trembath ripping his shoes apart during the blackwater rafting due to a miscommunication between our organiser and the guides.
All in all, Nelson Creek was an enjoyable team bonding exercise for all those involved. Thanks should go out to SGT Stöckler, our organiser, and FLTLT Welham our O/IC.