D Coy News
D Company Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Expedition
On Friday 16th October, six cadets and one civilian Instructor from D Company ventured to the Lake District to make camp in preparation for the start of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Expedition Assessment the following day. |
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After a further cold night, the party was awoken early yet again but his time to a miserable day. With visibility low, and navigation only possible contour by contour, the venture continued through the district with steep climbs, making us scramble to make the ridge. The weather failed to improve throughout the day and with the mist bringing fine rain our determination to complete the walk in as little time as possible was greatly increased. On arrival at the campsite, we made camp once again and were very relieved to have completed our day, especially after hearing the news that another expedition group had to be rescued from a nearby ridge walk due to the severity of the weather. Tired bodies hit the sleeping bags as early as 6 pm to recharge for day three. |
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Day three was even wetter and more miserable then the day before. Heavy rain overnight had waterlogged the campsite and the heavens were still pouring down on us. Although we were reluctant to go out, the drive to succeed spurred everyone on and we were quickly on the move to ensure that we accomplished our 23 kilometres. Thankfully after a very soggy start, the weather did improve and we only had to endure light, but cold showers during the day. On completion of the day the group performed their now all too familiar routine of setting up tents, cooking, freshening up and then finally bedding down in anticipation of the last day. |
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The final day and the group were awake by five am after a restless and sleepless night. The wind had picked up overnight pulling out tent poles, ropes and fly sheets and causing constant re-pitching. Nonetheless spirits were high and success was only another 23km away. |
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After the final shake down the group left in the pitch black and, using head torches, they navigated through the final valley towards Dolly Wagon Pike leading to Havellyn. A couple of hours later saw first light nut increasing wind speed and the ascent was a real battle. |
Finally the top was reached; the stunning views making the struggle and fights worth every minute and summing up the sense of adventure we had undertaken. However, there was still another 16k to go and although the whole group was now very tired they plodded on until the minibus was in sight. |
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The finish line crossed, the expedition over and the success very sweet we headed to a cabin where Lt Montrose surprised us with a meal of chips, beans, sausages and eggs followed up with doughnuts and Jaffa cakes and all washed down with lots of cold coke – great. |
We would like to express our thanks to Major Osborn and Lieutenant Montrose who helped make the expedition possible and supported us throughout the process. Finally, I would like to congratulate the whole group, CI Hawkes, Cdt Howard, Cpl Molyneux, SSgt Pateman, SSgt Arrowsmith, CSM Lepper and myself, on a gritty performance over the four day period. It shows what great things that can be achieved when young people aspire to achieve.
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