This weekend was spent working with a group of 6 aspirant Bronze Duke of Edinburgh candidates from Shrewsbury School on an expedition training weekend.

In total, there were 8 walking groups from Shrewsbury School, each with their own instructor for the weekend, working out of Brow Farm campsite at Ratlinghope, on the north-western side of the Long Mynd in the Shropshire Hills AONB. This is an idea location, which gives easy access to the Stiperstones and Linley Hill as well as the Long Mynd itself.

The candidates had already received a day’s training in school, so Saturday provided the opportunity to revise issues of kit, clothing, tents, food and cooking as well as to practice some of the more hands on skills. Unfortunately, we had issues with missing tent poles and pegs but managed to ‘adapt, improvise, overcome’ as the saying goes. Hopefully, this will encourage better preparation before their assessed venture! Selection of appropriate expedition food also proved to be a little lacking in some cases, with an over reliance on cereal bars and sweets. However, getting things wrong is part of learning how to get them right next time. I’ll have to wait until next month to see if they’ve taken these lessons on board!

Sunday was spent concentrating on navigational skills on a 6 hour walk carrying full expedition rucksacks. We concentrated on orientating the map using the features around us, and estimating distance by measurement on the map and timing on the ground.

As a side note, I’ve noticed that timing has become more difficult for groups of young people over the last few years. It’s surprising how few wear a watch, due to relying on the clock on their mobile phones, meaning that they often don’t have a stopwatch between them – not helpful for navigation.

My walking group were pretty worn out by the end of the day, complaining that I’d made them go up and down hill far too much in 6 hours. However, as I pointed out afterwards, it’s useful to know how demanding it is to carry a full expedition rucksack before they plan their route for their assessed venture.

So, after a productive weekend, it’s time for me to bow out and let them start the planning and preparation for their expedition in June. Good luck!