Expedition Training

There’s a lot to learn when training or preparing for an in accompanied and self sufficient expedition. Over the course of the last four days, I have been working with two 6th form groups as they prepare for a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition. From map reading, to shopping, and cleaning, to cooking there’s been plenty of education going on. Over the years I’ve witnessed all kinds of culinary delights, discoveries and disasters, but this was my first time seeing pasta actually on fire. It might not have tasted good, but the entertainment value was superb!

Due to a storm warning, we delayed our departure until Sunday evening, and dropped the group at a soggy mountainside just before dark, where we all camped in the mist.

Tents went up fast and with rain still falling everyone was inside pretty quick. However, don’t tell anyone, but John and I had the luxury of his camper nearby! What a treat!

It was a completely different scene when I hiked up to meet the group in the morning!

At the camp, some students had found out what happens if you pitch your tent on a slope!

It took a while to get fed, watered and the camp all packed away, but the threat of rain had certainly passed.

After a 06:30 alarm call, the team set off just after 9am.

I retreated to a cafe for some less exciting admin, while the group hiked east in glorious conditions.

The weather lasted all day and led to a beautiful evening.

The group were camping wild on the mountain tops, so another early start was required to check that they had ‘left no trace’.

Tuesday was more overcast, but still warm…

In the afternoon, I was able to use John’s luxury mobile ‘checkpoint’ facility!

It was a sociable checkpoint – a friend flew in on a paraglided and two other friends stopped by for a climb as well. Eventually, the groups turned up as well!