Glen Morgan - IAPY trek

Well, here I am back at the keyboard and bringing you up-to-date on the latest happenings.
Last Saturday, November 5, a group of 25 left Ooty for Paykara and a trek to the Glen Morgan Tea Plantation. It was raining lightly when we left Selborne and we had to wear our rain gear - pants and jackets. We also had to make sure our back-packs were waterproof. The girls had to carry food for 4 meals, as well as tents and sleeping gear.

Gigi and I had been invited to sleep in the guest house, so we had only our food and a spirit stove to carry.

All 25 managed to squeeze on to the local bus and 45 minutes later we disembarked at Paykara. Some of us had managed to find seats, the rest had to stand in the aisle along with the back-packs.

The girls were divided into 5 groups and the 4 adults formed a separate group. The weekend was the IAYP Bronze trek and the girls had been given a map with directions to find their own way to the check-points. The adults also had to find their way to the check-points as well! The first point was the rendez-vous point where we left the road and started across fields. From there it was through forest/jungle across land to the next point at the junction of 3 roads. We had lunch in a clearing with a good view of what was behind us as we trekked. We started our trek at 11:00 A.M. and arrived at our destination at 2:30 P.M.

Once at Glen Morgan the girls had to set up their tents, without adult assistance. While they were doing that we, the adults, enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea which the owner had graciously provided. One group had not arrived and 2 of the adults started to back-track in an attempt to locate the missing girls. Fortunately, the "lost" group were only about 10 minutes from the destination. They had taken a wrong turn and had to retrace their steps.

Once all the girls had arrive it was time for them to get the fire going to cook supper. They had to prepare the wood, light the fire (difficult with damp wood) and cook their supper - all without adult assistance. The adults had to cook their supper as well. We had spirit stoves which were much easier to light than damp wood! Sunday morning breakfast was again on the open fire and then a hike following compass bearings. There was much beautiful scenery along the way. We also met some of the local children playing as well as cows along the way!
The girls were fantastic. They worked well as a group and had a wonderful time.