GOLD training expedition South Wales october 2011

Location South Wales, Dan Yr Ogof camp. Weather: mixed sunshine and some hail showers, nice rainbows, then rain and low cloud. On day one 7 groups undertook more than 8 hours of navigation and safety training around the limestone scenery below the ridge of Fan Hir on the Black Mountain. Spot the shake holes! Then their 2 day independent trek took them over the main 600 metre+ ridge and then down to Cross Inn. Final day saw a climb up “the nose” and thence along a valley bench in cloud: tricky navigation at times. All groups performed really well and staff were impressed with the spirited and cheerful team work that held up despite some miserable weather: we were pleased to see happy faces emerging on the bus home. Well done folks! I’ll confirm qualifying expedition dates 2012 v soon but I am hoping to offer Easter AND August (clash with biology ft), but that’ll be all for 2012: details next half term.

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Staff training trip

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October half term saw Mr Collins and Mr Hadley doing a Mountain Rescue Emergency First Aid (REC) course with Snowdonia First Aid from Llanberis Mountain rescue team. The course was extremely useful but we hope never to have to put any of our new skills into action.

Staff training takes place regularly and includes professional development in navigation and first aid.

GOLD pre-hike safety briefing

Gold training expeditions include instruction in the following:

navigation: compass and 1:25,000 maps
emergency procedures & getting help
correct equipment
camp safety

Instruction on the pre-hike briefing will be issued the evening before the first training day.

GOLD_Pre-hike_briefing.pdf
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Bronze qualifying expeditions October 2011

100 students completed their qualifying canoe and backpack expeditions 7-8 October. Canoe groups completed their adventure down the Medway canoe trail. Backpacking groups walked around the North Downs area near Reigate. We were especially impressed with the positive spirit and cheerful manner of many groups. Despite some navigation errors and a few groups being caught in the dark, the quality of overall planning was good and campcraft encouraging (sites were left with no trace of our visit: that’s the aim!). Well done and thanks to all the staff who made this big trip possible.