The Hillary Challenge is undoubtedly the toughest adventure competition for high school students and the battle for first place is intense because it is a prestigious and highly coveted title for schools to achieve. Not only does this event require a high level of physical and mental fitness, being a team sport, members need the ability to work together under stress.

 

Read about Hillary Outdoors Challenge team member Elena Miller's experience:

 

Hillary Challenge has to have been one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done.  The preparation, teamwork, and organisation that went into it and the accomplishment, strength, and experience that came out of it was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.  In preparation for the week, 7:00 am Thursday morning trainings became something we became accustomed to, and once we had finally established a team, meetings were held to sort out all of the things we were going to need as well.  Just to meet the requirements of the Hillary gear lists, we all turned up at school Sunday morning with packs bags and boxes full of gear which we had to fit into one van and in the crates on the bike trailer.  Somehow we managed to get everything loaded up and we set out for Tongariro National Park.  Arriving at the Hillary Outdoors Center, and to our accommodation (a single room lined with bunks and shelves) we got to catch a glimpse of a few of the other teams as they arrived.  That night at our first meal, all 11 other teams were present, including the famous New Plymouth champions.  Dinner itself was a bit of a disappointment. Apparently there were new meal staff at the Hillary Centre, and their idea of serving sizes (and chicken alternatives) weren’t quite to our standards.  Afterwards we got to hear our briefing for the next day: the first day of the challenges.  Monday and Tuesday would be made up of a total of 12 one hour challenges, which would remain mysteries to us until the moment each hour started.  That night we began the process of completely trashing our accommodations as we sorted out the things we would need for the first day.  Through the twelve challenges we had to learn how to function together as a team, manage our time, and speed through the short, hectic transition times we had between each mental and physically draining challenge.  In a way, this prepared us for the teamwork we would need for the rogaine expedition into the Tongariro National Park the following days. These were by far the hardest two days of the week. Over 8 hours of hiking the first day and 9 and a half the second day, Kaya and Regan navigated us over 45 km.  Though the mountains, terrain, heavy packs, a quick search for water on the first day, and Charlotte’s injury on the second day were a huge challenge, those two days were amazing.  I wish we’d been able to spend an extra ten seconds each time we stopped to collect points to take in the beautiful views of the mountains.  We were stoked to have good weather almost all week, which was unheard of in the history of Hillary Challenges. The final day of the week, we made the decision to complete the multisport race together as a team; regardless of Charlotte’s injuries, and in my opinion, crossing the last finish line together proved how connected we had become, and how well we had learned to work with and depend on each other.  That night, dinner was amazing, and our fifth place accomplishment was something for all of us to be proud of.  It was a lot of hard work, but worth every moment, and as so many people had told me it would be, Hillary Challenge is something I’ll never forget.     - Elena Miller