Overcoming blizzard conditions on a trek was just one of the challenges New Plymouth teenager Stephanie James faced to earn her Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award.
“We were all starting to freak out a little bit. It was just all white and we could hardly see anything right in front of our faces,” said the 19-year-old who was recently presented with a gold level award.
Miss James was in a group of five trampers which had an experienced guide trailing 10 minutes behind them in case of an emergency, but said it was still one of the scariest moments she had faced.
“He was happy when we came back to him,” she said.
Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae presented Miss James and 57 other recipients their awards at a Government House reception.
“We had each been asked to write a little comment about the experience of the award and this was read out at the ceremony,” the Victoria University student said.
She described the four years it had taken her to earn the award as a character building exercise.
“I learnt many new things and in the process learnt a lot about myself. I got to take part in some amazing activities like the volunteer work and the residential project,” said the former Havelock North College student.