Gold In Scotland

Di Gilbert

For the last 5 days I was working for Alison Culshaw (@GoldExpeditions), with Di Glibert (blog), on a Qualifying Gold DofE expedition near Ben Alder. We were with 6 well trained and prepared groups of girls from Aberdeen, who all set off in good weather and spirits last Friday.

Di moving her bike trailer across the bridge

Alison and Di made good use of their bike trailers for the trip while I made good use of my back! The weather proved to be chilly but almost perfectly dry (except for the above photo!) - and I got away without the need for goretex for the entire trip - but extensively used primaloft and fleece!

Cycling into Culra Lodge

Blue skies, a perfect wild camp?

Day 2 and 3 were also perfect days - dry and cold (although a little windy yesterday). The groups and I managed to collect a few of the local munros, with fantastic summit views.

Group 1 high on the hill

Lochan na h-Earba. The view from a wild camp 2 nights ago

Group 6 setting off on their day 3 yesterday

Thank you to Florence for this grass bracelet

All of the participants from all the 6 groups planned and executed terrific expeditions and arrived at the finishing point dry and in good spirits. Thank you to all the groups who made my assessment job easy, and managed to make me laugh at the same time.

The look of success - seconds after completing their Assessed Gold exped

Group 1 singing in front of Di Gilbert

Congratulations to everybody and good luck with your next challenge, whether it be getting into Cambridge to read Economics, reading medicine, or getting into Nandos in Aberdeen this week!