Introduction
$800 inc gst
5 days
Location:
Start and finish at the Peel Forest Outdoors Centre base located 20 minutes outside of Geraldine.
Time:
Arrive: 10 am on day 1
Finish: 4pm on the final day
Age requirements:
16+ or when you complete your Gold practice journey
Programme Overview:
In 5 days we will cover the training and practice necessary to complete the qualifying journey as planned by the participants.
- 1 full day of planning and prep
- 4 days and 3 night of qualifying journey
Accomodation
We provide accommodation tenting outside our Cabins as a base for the days we will be training/planning in Peel Forest. See the schedule for more details on where you’ll be staying when.
The Cabins are part of Peel Forest Outdoor Centre’s commitment to increase environmental awareness and our desire to protect the natural environment for generations to come. The Cabins have been constructed so that it is as sustainable as possible and off grid to minimise the impact it has on the natural environment and its resources. Think of a nice DOC Hut with a warm shower.
More information about our accommodation can be found here.
For the Cabins please bring your own towels and toiletries. We provide hand towels, bathmats, tea towels and cloths for cleaning.
Food
You are responsible for all purchasing, preparing, and cooking of your own food for the entirety of your time with us.
Duke of Edinburgh Requirements
We need a minimum of 4 participants to meet Duke of Edinburgh Requirements and will cap the number of participants attending based on instructor availability. Large groups of students will be split amongst multiple instructors.
We have outlined all other relevant requirements in our course information. If you want more information visit the Duke of Edinburgh website.
Course Schedule
- Make a meal plan
- Check your gear
- Review feedback from Practice Journey and continue your own training
Planning Day
10am – Meet at Peel Forest Outdoor Centre
- Plan route and prepare
- Stay at Cabins
Qualifying Journey
- Depart for Qualifying Journey
- Stay out overnight
Qualifying Journey
- Continue Qualifying Journey
- Stay out overnight
Qualifying Journey
- Continue Qualifying Journey
- Stay out overnight
Qualifying Journey
- Return from Qualifying Journey
- Debrief
4pm – Depart from Peel Forest Outdoor Centre
Ready to book!
![Duke of Edinburgh - Gold - Qualifier](https://peelforestoutdoors.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Copy-of-DOE-Level-Banner-Template-scaled.jpg)
Duke of Edinburgh - Gold - Qualifier
Gear List
We will be spending lots of time outside exposed to all elements. Come prepared for the weather and the season knowing that we may be adventuring into unsheltered terrain and cold temperatures at night. All students will have their gear checked on planning day.
Any gear highlighted can be provided to you when you arrive if you do not have your own.
Compulsory
- Waterproof jacket and over trousers
- 2x thermal tops
- 2x thermal bottoms
- Shorts
Quick drying t-shirt (no cotton) - 2x fleece jersey
- Fleece or woollen socks
- Warm woollen/fleece beanie and gloves
- Sturdy tramping boots (winter compulsory) or trainers
- 3-4 season sleeping bag + lightweight or inflatable pillow
- Foam mat or inflatable sleeping mat
- 65L tramping pack
- Pack liner (big rubbish bags work well)
- Lightweight tramping tent
- Lightweight tramping cooker/stove, fuel
- Lightweight bowl/plate and utensils
- Lighter/matches
- All your own food
- An emergency meal
- Personal first aid kit, toiletries, medication
- Headtorch and spare batteries
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle (minimum 3L capacity total)
- Compass, whistle, notebook, pen/pencil
Gear that will be supplied:
- Any technical alpine equipment including snowshoes, crampons, etc. for winter trips
- Emergency first aid and comms
Optional Gear:
- Camera
- Tramping poles
- Puffer jacket
- Gaiters (winter compulsory)
- Extra comfy cabin clothes and shoes
- Reusable container to store lunches
Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey FAQs
Is the online training compulsory?
I’m having trouble accessing/signing up/completing the online training.
Our recommended online training provider is Peak Performance Solutions. It is an external provider, so any issues with using the online training platform must be directed toward Peak Performance.
What should I pack for adventurous journey food?
It’s up to you! However, we have some suggestions if you are really stuck.
Breakfast (whilst at Cabins):
- Porridge
- Fruit + muesli
- Scrambled eggs + spinach
- Shake-up bottle pancakes
Dinners (whilst at Cabins):
- Pasta with red sauce and mince/veges
- Couscous/gnocchi with pesto and chicken/veges
- Curry + rice/naan with meat/veges
Breakfast (whilst on journey):
- Porridge + fruit
- Oats and peanut butter
Dinner (whilst on journey):
- Soup packets + roll
- Backcountry/Radex/or any other brand of dehydrated meals
- Burrito with beans, cheese and taco seasoning
Lunches:
- Sandwiches, wraps or pita pockets with your favourite fillings
Snacks:
- Cheese/salami and crackers
- Fruit
- Muesli bars
- Bliss balls
- Pretzels/popcorn
- Nuts
Emergency meals (you should have at least one handy at all times):
- Ramen noodles
- Miso soup and dehydrated veggies
- Spare dehydrated meal
I'm attending with friends. Can my friends and I cook together?
Any other tips for meal planning?
- Make sure you have lots of good nutrients in each meal to keep up your energy for the week
- Pack just a little more than you would usually eat and make sure to bring an extra meal just in case – it’s hungry work tramping!
- Don’t plan to eat dehydrated meals for the whole week. You’ll get sick of it and there is no need to pack lightweight/expensive meals for nights at the Cabins.
- Pack food you know you already like to eat and experiment with cooking it yourself before you arrive, so you know how it will taste and how much effort it requires
Will the gear I have work?
If the piece of equipment you’re unsure about is highlighted in grey on the gear list, we can provide it when you arrive if your gear is unsuitable.
If it is a compulsory item that is not highlighted, reach out to us and we might be able to help you decide if you need to buy a different piece of equipment before your journey. See more details about tramping boots specifically below.
I want to borrow gear that is highlighted on the gear list. Do I need to let you know?
Nope! We’ll help get you the right gear when you arrive.
Should I buy tramping boots for this trip?
If it is not a winter trip and you do not already own tramping boots, then no. Just bring a sturdy pair of worn-in trainers. This is not the time to break-in new boots as they are likely to cause foot pain and blisters. However, you might want to consider buying a pair of tramping boots and wearing them in before your next journey or especially a winter trip.
If this is a winter tramping trip, then you should own a pair and they should already be worn in before the start of the trip.
Can my friends and I all share the same tent?
If you are bringing tents with you amongst a group, it is up to you to decide your preferred sleeping arrangement. However, we will separate tents by gender.
The tents that we can supply are 2-person, so you will likely be sharing a tent with someone regardless.