Well done to the Upper Sixth students who completed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Practice Expedition which started in Edale in the Peak District last weekend.
The group of twenty one students were split into 3 teams who completed the challenge over five days. For the first 2 days, students were given an intensive course in navigation and camp craft. This included cooking skills and first aid.
Loaded with extremely heavy backpacks of equipment, the teams then set off for their third day walking to reach the next camp at Rowlee Farm. This was a very basic campsite up in the hills with minimal facilities. There were also a few sheep roaming around freely to keep them company!
On the 4th day they set off to their final camp at North Lees and finally on day 5 they walked from North Lees to the finish at Fairholmes on Ladybower Reservoir.
The group was incredibly lucky with the mild and dry weather but the expedition was no less challenging! Our students all completed the expedition safe and well (apart from a few blisters as souvenirs!) It was a tough but enjoyable experience allowing the students to gain valuable knowledge and skills in preparation for the qualifier in June.