Being claustrophobic and all, I wasn’t to keen on going caving, but, due to some miscommunication I found myself crawling on my stomach, ear to the ground in the Grill Cave. All that kept me going was the thought that every step I took further into the cave brought me one step closer to getting out. I couldn’t stand being in the cave and I hated every minute of it but there was one thing which stood out as the worst part.

Once we were in the deepest part of the cave, Phil told us to sit down. He said that every group which goes down into that cave has to sit in the dark, in silence for as long as they can. The record was 14 minutes. I then knew what was coming. Torches went off and our group went silent. It was pitch-black and, ironically, I closed my eyes to escape it. The only noises heard were the soft dripping of water and the flapping of bat wings as they flew around the cave. As soon as Phil started timing us, I knew I wouldn’t be able to last more than a few minutes but pride stopped me from saying so. I tried to stop thinking all together, but that only worked for a maximum of one second. I then tried to fool myself to think that I wasn’t in a cave but it was hopeless. All I could do was to pray that someone would make a noise soon.

Eventually, someone did make a noise at around eight minutes. I was so thankful, until, I realised that the others had liked the silence and were asking if we could try and beat the recoed again. I started praying all over again, but it was okay as Phil thought we should head out.

When we did get out of the cave, had a shower and were back at our campsite, I was hardly thinking of what I had just achieved. No, I was worrying about the longer, three and a half hour, smaller cave our group was going to do the next afternoon. I didn’t have to do it, I didn’t want to do it, but the question was, would I do it anyway?

The next morning we had ladder climbing and abseiling, first, on our list. I love abseiling and couldn’t wait to go, but some of my friends weren’t as keen as me, due to fear of heights. That made me see that everybody must have a fear of something and it helped me to understand that saying ’no’ to caving was an okay thing to do. But, I soon realised that my friend, who was scared of heights, was facing her fears and was abseiling down the rock face. That’s when I made a decision to go caving again.

Once I went down into the mouth of the cave, I knew I couldn’t back out. I don’t know whether it was pride or a sign of madness, but whatever it was, I’m glad it was there. I did make it to the end of the cave with the rest of the group, three and a half hours later. Tortutous as it was, I’ve learnt that facing your fears is about as big as achievements get. I’m not saying it’s a cure, but fears are things you must keep fighting, and sometimes it means for all your life. It’s just that when you face them... well, I guess that round goes to you.

I am sitting here, looking out over the river and the trees, thinking how much we have acheived..

When we started this camp we looked to the horizon and thought that it was impossible to go there, but we reached for our dreams, and when we got there we looked back over our journey and knew that we had gone further than the horizon.

We came to the end of our camp knowing that we will special friends and memories that will never be lost because they are being kept in our hearts forever and that our dreams have been fulfilled with my friends. February 1998

Comments from Tasmanian and New Zealand expeditions

"A great end to my school career. Something I’ll never forget. I have new found confidence that if I persevere, I will get there. Thank you for an awesome experience" Sarah

"A journey implies a destination, so many miles to be consumed, while a walk is its own measure, complete at every point along the way" Thomas Clark

"I don’t know why I wanted to come. I hate camping, hiking and getting wet, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge, overcome all my hatred of these things and I’d do them a hundred times over for all the highlights and golden moments that came with them" Catherine

"The overall experience was great. We weren’t a school group with leaders, we were a group of equals having fun" Trine

"I have goals I set, but never achieve. I have dreams in life, but never pursue them. But this last week has made me see that my dreams and goals can come true and be achieved" Pieta  

"You have inspired me not only to write down my goals, but to go and get them. ’A good leader is someone who inspires others’, and this is you guys" Alex

"This camp has enabled me to think about things that I wouldn’t normally consider and to my new experiences that have let me reflect on my life, and think about the future" Claire  

"Our friends provide us with inspiration and the courage to continue, to complete whatever daunting task lies ahead, from the overland track to the journey of life, all is made possible" Bec

"Claire, how many steps do you think it is to the hut. 1024? OK, I reckon 1200. Lets see who is the closest. 1... 2... 3... 4..." Claire & Al

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson