During May’s half term break, five Year 12 students (Jamie, Evie, Ella, Wayne and Lucy) set out to complete their gruelling 4-day / 3-night Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award qualifier expedition.
This small group have been together since their challenging bronze award over two years ago. By their own admission, they are not “walkers”. They do not like ascents or descents, long days, weather that is too warm or too wet – all things inescapable in our surrounding fells or Yorkshire Dales!
It is testimony to their level of resilience, friendship and sheer determination that they progressed through Silver to the Gold Award. Prior to each level, they worked on their individual fitness and used every scrap of gained knowledge about equipment, food, packing and navigation.
Their Silver expeditions and practice Gold saw some of the worst weather DoE groups have been out in across north and the far west of Cumbria. They set out for this expedition in hope…
Their gold journey was unaccompanied (a requirement of DofE), including transport on this occasion to add to their experience. The evening before their expedition they took the train to Horton in Ribblesdale and stayed in a bunkhouse.
Day 1
The Ingleborough summit route was changed due to over 45mph gusts and heavy rain. Despite this first day saturation, the group arrived at the campsite smiling as always, promptly pitched tents and cooked their meal in the rain, drenched.
Day 2
After a very disturbed night for the girls (a leaking tent) they set off in good spirits, this time in more hope of summitting Pen-y-ghent, despite strong but acceptable wind levels. Unfortunately, the weather turned once again, causing blanket cloud coverage as they reached Plover Hill and the ridge to the summit. At least they had a bit of opportunity to dry out on the descent and that evening, pitched tents for once in brief sunshine.
Day 3
This was a long day, almost 22km but with less ascent, taking in Malham Tarn and Cove before camping by the river on the outskirts of Malham. It was their only dry day, marred by wind speeds that the group battled against all day. A late arrival at the campsite saw emotions high – several tears, a mix of relief, tiredness and very sore feet (described as “holes in my feet!”) – yet as ever, their determination saw them rally round within minutes, working together as a group to ensure tents and food were priority. With the weather once again turning, their night was disturbed by further heavy rain and strong winds, continuing throughout their final day.
Day 4
The return to Settle took in Gorsdale Scar and Malham Cove exploration as part of their expedition project. The group arrived in Settle yet again drenched, some hobbling (almost shuffling), but as ever with their largest, wonderful smiles and laughter. A true mixture of relief, pride and exhaustion. One of the party would not remove their boots, insisting they were “holding my feet together!”
A visit to the café for hot chocolate, cake (complete with a birthday candle for Evie) and an opportunity to dry off for their initial expedition de-brief saw their achievements start to sink in, and pain briefly melt away into more laughter – until they had to stand up and walk to the train station!
Our DofE Awards Leader, Miss Harpham, said: “This was an incredible journey through the award levels, incredible achievement, incredible students who have all given up many weekends and school holidays to complete all their expeditions. It has been a privilege to work with and support them. They still have other sections to complete before the Gold Award is completed – some sections need a full year of weekly participation, but I am confident they will all succeed.”
