Throughout the summer term, many, many miles were navigated by our groups of Duke of Edinburgh Award students on both practice and qualifying expeditions. Here are accounts of four of the most recent treks, where the participants all showed commendable resilience and team spirit.
Year 9 Bronze Expedition
A number of our Year 9 Outdoor Learning students had a fantastic two-day expedition in the North Lakes during “Be The Best You Can Be Week”.
It was a chance to put into practice many of the skills learnt throughout their course. Some were able to use knowledge from the Loch Eil Outward Bound course, but for most this was their first experience of carrying a full 65 litre rucksack and being completely self-sufficient for two days.
The two groups of students worked largely independently of staff, both with the navigation and campcraft. Their level of teamwork and organisation impressed us, as did some of the creative menus across the two days – yes that really is two eggs being boiled in one of the photographs!
Their journey began in Keswick, taking them round Catbells to Grange, Rosthwaite and along the river to the campsite at Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale.
The weather helped in the evening as it was sunny, dry and warm for all to relax, soak up the views and simply enjoy being outdoors.
Day two proved a tough climb for some with the ascent to Watendlath but again the groups worked together to support, encourage and keep spirits high. They were rewarded with panoramic views and blue sky before enjoying the slow descent to Surprise View, Ashness Bridge and around the lakeshore back to Keswick.
Both groups successfully completed the journey, demonstrating commitment, positive attitude, resilience and consistent teamwork. They deserve to feel very proud.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered in our school to all students from the end of Year 9. Most of the students on this trip have enrolled and can now have their expedition section approved.
Well done everyone, a great start to your Bronze award!
Year 12 Gold Practice Expedition
In our final week of term, a group of Year 12 students set out on their Duke of Edinburgh Gold 4-day practice expedition, their aim being to complete the three Yorkshire Peaks.
Replicating as far as possible the unaccompanied qualifier expedition, the group set off on their journey with lively banter and humour. This was a tough 4 days for anyone, made more of a challenge by the constant heat and full sun.
The group had to contend with daily increasingly high temperatures and minimal breeze. They impressed with their willingness to rise early to “beat the heat”, setting off by 6am to get over the summits well before the sun was at its most powerful. They remained sensible, responding to advice / instruction to “cover up” for a while with loose thin layers, taking shade when opportunity arose and sensibly pacing themselves between additional water drops.
There was a strong sense of looking after each other – sharing the load of someone’s rucksack, checking regularly that no-one had caught too much sun, walking at the pace of the slowest member – and this was evident throughout the entire journey regardless of where they were spot checked or met.
This group of students learnt so much, about one another and themselves, through working together closely across the 4 days. Running towards the bus with full packs, grinning and laughing, demonstrated their level of enjoyment even at the end of a very long, hot final day. This was an extremely successful expedition with the students summiting all 3 Yorkshire Peaks. They should be extremely proud, and we look forward to seeing them put into practice their learning in the qualifying expedition next year.
Year 13 Gold Practice and Qualifier Expeditions
As soon as the final A Level exam had been completed and Year 13 were able to relax and celebrate the end of life at William Howard School, one group of these students instead turned their focus to the challenge of not one but two expeditions in the space of two weeks.
Having had previous expeditions postponed, and due to an injury, this was their final opportunity to complete the section of their award before leaving school.
The practice expedition took the group over to North Yorkshire, their goal being the three peaks.
Little did they know they would be arriving in the middle of the recent first heatwave, with temperatures in the late 20’s and early 30’s from before midday, with no breeze.
The first day took the group from Malham Tarn, over Fountains Fell and Pen-y-Ghent before camping at Horton in Ribblesdale. A long day, and even with additional water drops and provision of minibus shade at convenient times the group found the challenge tough.
With temperatures forecast to rise to the mid 30’s, the group took the advice to use their alternative lower level routes and also set off earlier each morning. Initial disappointment at not being able to summit the other two peaks was later replaced by the reward of greater shelter and more pleasant walking conditions on the adapted routes.
The students sensibly used this practice expedition to learn further skills, better understand the climate and its impact, and plan/prepare more effectively for their qualifier.
The qualifier expedition provided completely different terrain and required different skills, taking the group over to the West of Cumbria. The weather was thankfully not as hot; however, this challenge was quickly replaced by one of strong winds, sometimes well over 30mph.
Day 1 saw the group journey over Catbells and High Spy where they gained valuable experience of the difference between wind speeds that may buffet but are generally safe with care to walk in, and those that are not. From the summit the group descended into Borrowdale for their first camp.
Day 2 they walked to Wasdale via Sprinkling and Styhead Tarns before experiencing a wild camp at the foot of the fells at Mosedale. This proved to be a highlight of their expedition despite a tough initial steep climb up and over Black Sail Pass the following morning. From here the group made a sensible decision not to summit Haystacks due to increasing wind speeds even at lower levels, instead taking their low-level option into Buttermere. After another challenging day they had their second night of no showers, which did not contribute positively to their initial mood on arrival! As usual this was short lived due to the solid friendships within the group, good teamwork, efficient and organised campcraft routines, humour and amazing evening meals.
The final day saw the group set off early to Keswick, to beat the wind forecast later in the day, where they arrived at Keswick Theatre by the Lake in good spirits, ready for a well-deserved ice cream and burger (in that order!) during the debrief.
Huge congratulations to these students who have worked hard on all 3 levels of the Duke of Edinburgh award during their school years. We hope to see them celebrating their Gold Award achievement shortly.
