Got any pearls of wisdom re Outward Bound?

[Number One]

I'm heading off to Outward Bound for an 8 day course...OUCH. :eek5:
Any K'bers been? Will someone dish the dirt? Interested to hear any perspectives, funny stories or advice.

[yungatart]

Give everything 110% effort.
It is a huge opportunity so make the most of it.
Good luck and enjoy!

[Wolf]

Always wanted to go on an outward bound course. Never could afford it. Have a great time Number One, look after yourself.

[dave_a]

I did the 21 day course best thing ive ever done

[deanohit]

Just be careful of any pig hunters bursting out of the bush chasing a big pig!!!





Scared the shit outta some teenagers one time while they were camping with the instructors, we wern't too popular with the Outwardbound people after that.

But yea, like Yungatart said, give everything 110% and you'll have a blast!

[Mikkel]

Good on ya. Enjoy and have fun!

Under which circumstances are you going there? And let us know how it was when you get back.

I'm thinking about going for the 21 course come winter (should be easier to get financial support for the winter courses since most people aren't fond of the cold weather :) )

Oh, and btw. There is no such thing as 110% effort. If you give it 95% then you might enjoy it more AND last the whole 8 days ;)

[Number One]

It's the Navigator programme. A leadership development course apparently. And yeah - I'm not sure 110% is wise, given current state of fitness I don't want to peak (or should I say break) too early - haha!

[deanohit]

Ha, how about 110% mentally insted of physically then?

[Mikkel]

Sounds like you're in for some serious fun #1!

However, call me a contrary asshole if you must - but the 110% thing is utter bullshit. 100% is perdefinition maximum. (FYI %=per cent=1/100)
Giving yourself 100% at anyone time is going to drain you really really quickly. And your state of fitness doesn't matter - it only changes your current limit. If a top-athlete gives his 100% he'll wear himself out just as fast as anyone else - he'll just be performing and recovering better.
Same goes for brains... That's why you don't go riding 1000 kms in a day while sitting at the limit of your driving skills, you'll get fatigue too quickly and will loose focus.

[Number One]

Just be careful of any pig hunters bursting out of the bush chasing a big pig!!!





Scared the shit outta some teenagers one time while they were camping with the instructors, we wern't too popular with the Outwardbound people after that.

But yea, like Yungatart said, give everything 110% and you'll have a blast!


Crikey! Bush bashing pig hunters on the loose too?! They didn't warn me about that :msn-wink: Could come in handy during the solo experience....especially if they are packing treats and V energy drinks :niceone:

[Number One]

Sounds like you're in for some serious fun #1!

However, call me a contrary asshole if you must - but the 110% thing is utter bullshit. 100% is perdefinition maximum. (FYI %=per cent=1/100)
Giving yourself 100% at anyone time is going to drain you really really quickly. And your state of fitness doesn't matter - it only changes your current limit. If a top-athlete gives his 100% he'll wear himself out just as fast as anyone else - he'll just be performing and recovering better.
Same goes for brains... That's why you don't go riding 1000 kms in a day while sitting at the limit of your driving skills, you'll get fatigue too quickly and will loose focus.
All I can say to that is...yes dear

[Grub]

I'm heading off to Outward Bound for an 8 day course...OUCH. :eek5:
Any K'bers been? Will someone dish the dirt? Interested to hear any perspectives, funny stories or advice.

I don't know about the 8 day course, have done the 23 day. One of the Unwritten Laws of going to Outward Bound is to not 'dish the dirt'. The experience is a life-chianging one and all I will tell you is
1) to get fit, then get fitter, then get fit all over again.
2) Get great boots, walk through rivers all morning and wear them while walking until you go to bed
3) Condition your feet. There may be other stuff that does it but rubbing/bathing them in Meths every night worked for me - no blisters

Apart from that {snigger} have fun :)

[Number One]

"Apart from that {snigger} have fun"

Yeah thanks I get that this will be tough. And that's why it's a pity I have the full sum total of 4 days to prepare re the fitness aspect....prrrfffftttt!!!! O well - it will be a good kick in the arse anyway?!

Figured there was an 'unwritten rule' about spilling the beans.

Thanks for the tip we even have a full bottle of Meths (not for drinking honest) will get right on that and dry these buggers out!

[deanohit]

Thanks for the tip we even have a full bottle of Meths (not for drinking honest) will get right on that and dry these buggers out!

So why's it in the fridge? :shutup:

[Mikkel]

So why's it in the fridge? :shutup:

Even if it's cold you're going to regret it... BIG TIME! ;)

[Winter]

I'm heading off to Outward Bound for an 8 day course...OUCH. :eek5:
Any K'bers been? Will someone dish the dirt? Interested to hear any perspectives, funny stories or advice.

Funny stories? Yeah. Years ago my girlfriend went on outward bound. It was such an experience that she went home with one of the guys on the course.

Funny eh. Ha.. Ha... haarr.

[Maha]

If you get the chance to be close to the water at anytime, try and find out will ya?...'What Noise Annoys an Oyster'?? i will be very greatful....

[Number One]

Ouch. You know what they say though she can't have been worth it. I'll be comin home to my maaaaannn - o h yes in deedy!

[Swoop]

Small tip: When on "solo", do not go into town and get a haircut.

[BuFfY]

You will have to talk to r6_kid when he gets back. He is on the 3 week course at the moment so he will be able to give you some advice, stories etc.
Personally I could never do it. I think it is a great opportunity for those who are into that sort of stuff but I think I would last maybe 2 days and then be in too much pain to continue!

[Mikkel]

Bringing a nice big tin of HTFU along might also be a good idea. Alternatively, morphine will do the same trick - your experience will be quite different though.

And I second whoever said that you should make sure your boots and your feet were broken in! Dunno about the meths, I've never tried that. But I did have to walk with two big-ass blisters last weekend when out tramping... it's amazing how much faster you get tired when you're in pain!

And what do you mean by being on "solo" Swoop? Just curious...

[Number One]

LMAO...a haaircut?! Yeah like my hair is gonna be the biggest worry on my mind on a solo?!

More like the blood lusted up roving pig hunters, basketball sized blisters and probably the fact that I'll be in huge Caffeine withdrawal and mega amounts of pain! I'll probably be lucky to be able to get up and walk away from my sleeping bag for a pee....crikey.

Here's hoping I am in some kind of state when I return as I'm straight into facilitating a 3 day residential coaching programme ha ha that could be interesting....hope I'm awake for it

[phantom]

I did the 8 day course a couple of years ago and it was one of the most "demanding " experiences I have ever had. Don't think you can dish the dirt as I am sure it is different for everyone . We were told that the 8 day course was the same as the long course without the rest periods . I am sure that that was a bit of exageration but we never spent a single night at Anakiwa, we slept out everynight. the fitter you are the better, you will spend a lot of time in or on the water and just remember you are very unlikely to get the chance again so give it heaps. Oh and don't forget no ciggies , no alkyhol, no ...... Never mind it is only 8 days

[Swoop]

And what do you mean by being on "solo" Swoop? Just curious...
Where you are dropped off for three days by yourself to "enjoy the solitude"...
People with good map and navigation skills can have some fun, or so I've been told.

[deanohit]

More like the blood lusted up roving pig hunters,

When are you down there? I'm down the sounds from 20 dec to the 15 jan, already tee'd up a pig hunt, just want to know what date to go out and scare some people. :eek:

[Mikkel]

Where you are dropped off for three days by yourself to "enjoy the solitude"...
People with good map and navigation skills can have some fun, or so I've been told.

Sounds like fun... even if you're not allowed to take your bike. I like quiet!
You're not allowed to talk to anyone or...? What if you stumble upon someone or they upon you - are you to run away ASAP then? Or is it "mission failed"?

Now, if you haven't got any navigation skills and get lost... what happens then?

[Swoop]

You're not allowed to talk to anyone or...?
"By yourself" normally means that there isn't anyone else to talk to apart from any imaginary friends...
It is not escape and evasion training. In fact, quite the opposite. You are meant to stay put!

[Number One]

oh what a shame...I will miss you. Leave Friday and back again following Friday night...as I've said not much time to build up the fitness...eek I am so in for a whole lotta hurt!

[Mikkel]

"By yourself" normally means that there isn't anyone else to talk to apart from any imaginary friends...
It is not escape and evasion training. In fact, quite the opposite. You are meant to stay put!

Hmmm, if you're meant to stay put it does start to sound a bit boring... Sitting in one place for 3 days sounds rather unexciting to me. Especially if you haven't got the internet to keep you entertained.

[Number One]

Sounds like fun... even if you're not allowed to take your bike. I like quiet!
You're not allowed to talk to anyone or...? What if you stumble upon someone or they upon you - are you to run away ASAP then? Or is it "mission failed"?

Now, if you haven't got any navigation skills and get lost... what happens then?

Hmmm...I have a kid so the solo sounds great and I'm looking forward to some real 'ALONE' time...bow chicka wow wow :msn-wink: Apparently it will only be a single day solo on the 8 dayer...so just long enough for a couple of damn good naps!

And given my sense of direction....which ways North again?...:shit: I'll be staying wherever they drop me off - I can't afford to be paying the bill for any fullscale ground searches :nono:

[phantom]

We were dropped off in the middle of the night then had a whole day alone picked up next afternoon (watch out for possums screaming during the night )

[fireball]

i did the MBS 21 dayer at anakiwa loved it!

all i can say is you have one chance so do it right and go hard!
you are in for a nice cup of wake the fuck up

my only tip is good boots and a hat and if you think you are scared and freaking out go harder! what doesnt kill you makes you stronger!

he he he he he :devil2: have fun :whistle:

[Sully60]

When are you down there? I'm down the sounds from 20 dec to the 15 jan, already tee'd up a pig hunt, just want to know what date to go out and scare some people. :eek:

Mate you could pop off a 303 round at your place and give her a fright.;)

Serious now, scare my lady and I might have to have words with you:girlfight:

[obstacle]

Seconded.

I did the 21 day course in 1997 (holy fuck, that was ages ago!) and i still remember it like it as yesterday. Here are my words of wisdom:

1) give everything you can all you've got both physically and mentally, you'll be surprised how long you can run at full power wen you set your mind to it.

2) Don't think about anything more than 1 minute ahead of you. If you think about what you'll feel like in 20 minutes you'll hold yourself back, endorphins will save your arse a lot more than giving 80% when you could give 90%-100%

3) Have fun, smile, do everything.

4) If you find yourself saying "i can't" you're wrong, everybody before you has done it and everybody after will also do it. They're not actually trying to kill you, although it may feel like it.

5) Keep hold of this thread as you'll find it hard talking about it to people that haven't been.

6) You're going to get wet. Enjoy it.

Have an amazing time. I've been wanting to get back there for years but the other kind of unwritten rule is that you only get one shot. I have a few regrets, please don't come back wishing you'd given more effort.

oh, and don't let any of this scare you off, it's going to be one of the most amazing weeks of your life. Have fun!

[mangell6]

"Outward Bound
No sweat, its only 8 days!"

YEAH RIGHT

1981 - McKenzie Watch

[Number One]

I leave tomorrow morning....where can I get a pack of adult diapers again?!