The Challenge Sections

Expedition

The Programme

The aim of this section is to encourage in you 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.

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

The Expedition 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 - a journey with a purpose
Exploration - this involves some journeying but more time is spent on investigation, research or other activities, undertaken in the context of an expedition
Other Adventurous Projects (Gold only) - which are of an equally or more demanding nature but which depart from the conditions outlined

The process

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

Requirements

There are between 4 - 7 participants for each venture as well as the 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 Challenge Handbook, the Exploration Guide and the Adventurous Journey Training Manuals.

Have a look at a list of suggestions for expeditions around New Zealand. (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.