The RGS Gold dofe expedition to Mid Wales departs Sat 17 Aug at 9am from RGS PMH car park. Please arrive promptly for kit check.
BRING YOUR RECORD BOOK!
Travel: The coach and minibuses will be full so please bring a minimum of excess baggage: 1 main rucksack each and one small disposable bag for food on the journey. Please do not bring extra bags to store on the back-up bus for the duration. There is no collection of personal kit or resupply allowed during Gold assessment expeditions: you carry all your kit.
Pack VERY carefully and sensibly. At all costs reduce pack weight. Large quantities of extra clothing are unnecessary. Consult training pages and kit list pages here.
Food: check our useful advice on backpacking FOOD https://rgsdofe.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/food-tips-for-gold-duke-of-edinburgh-hikes-2609101.pdf
Blisters are a perennial problem on this expedition: please follow advice issued regarding correct footwear, appropriate socks and care of feet. See training pages here and consult your RGS expedition guide. Briefly: make sure boots fit, wear them lots prior to departure; wax them if necessary, buy 2 pairs of decent walking socks, several pairs of thin inner socks, thick outer usually helps most people; some like goretex waterproof liners but not essential; keep your feet dry and free from grit by wearing gaiters (but not essential).
Weather: WET and WINDY on arrival in Wales at weekend (40mph+) … detailed update later but looks wet on Saturday 17 / showery and breezy on Sunday 18 Aug in Wales. Thereafter a ridge builds in with more settled and warmer conditions but with some possible rain tuesday as low pressure skirts in from Atlantic. Warmer thru the week though never hot and with winds temperatures higher up could still be cool. FULL waterproofs and warm layers (NO HOODIES) are, of course, absolutely essential. The weather will be different to here. August can be inclement (see video). Navigation: You MUST have maps and compass ready for action. Keep phones off and in waterproof bags, NOT in map cases.
Please note: local contacts say that a dry start to summer in the area and recent wet conditions means that MIDGE and HORSEFLY and TICK populations are very high: bring insect repellent, wear long walking trousers and long sleeves and hat are sensible precautions to ticks and insect bites. Your First Aid kit should contain antihistamine or similar bite cream etc.
Groups are advised to meet together prior to departure to run through their final preparations. Do not forget fully weather-proofed maps and test all your EQUIPMENT very thoroughly. Your assessor will be looking for completely independent, well organised and safe groups who are fully prepared.
Any snags, please contact SAC.
Reigate Grammar School DofE 