Wet and Wild DofE for Meg's and Albyn

Alison talks to Group 2 on day 1 (Victoria, Rachel, Hannah, Sophie, Ailsa, Lucy, Harriet).

This last week I was working for Adventure Expeditions and Alison Culshaw in the Cairngorm National Park (Grampian Mountains). On Thursday we met the girls from Albyn School and St. Margaret's school for girls who were ready to start their Gold Assessed D of E Expedition. After preparation on the Thursday we got things started on the Friday. Above Alison has caught up with group 2 to see how they're getting on. The weather forecast for the 4 days was not good - rain (lots) and wind (lots), but the girls were ready for it all..

A balanced diet - of processed sugar for dessert!

The groups had some doubtful meal choices - but it's important to have some comforts from home to look forward to eating!! We ALL had luxury items in our rucksacs - but mine weren't marshmallows!

Camp site on night 1 for 2 groups.

Everybody got to camp 1 successfully and managed to find some flat ground that wasn't too boggy. The scenery was awesome, but a little windy and wet - day 2 was planned to be the high mountain day for most groups.

St Margaret's Girls choosing exactly where to put their tents for night 1! - Anjumol, Victoria, Isobel, Ashleigh, Charlotte and Emily.

This is where they decided to camp on night 1 - a beautiful spot.

With Ben Alder as the backdrop, you can't go wrong with this as a campspot.

The high ridge along Beinn Bheoil for the Meg's girls on day 2. It was windy and there was only fleeting visibility, but the girls used their training to stay relaxed, on schedule and confident - very impressive - a strong performance.

Meg's making good use of the bivvy shelter for lunch.

Group 2 proudly sitting at 1034m on Carn Dearg - the highest point they have ever reached. They did well to get here - a long hard hillside to climb - seemingly never ending - but a great reward at the summit - the highest point of their lives to date.

Off now to get to their campsite -they got there in under 2 hours from here - well done.

Group 1 - on day 3 wanting to get to camp before the heavy rain hits - Lauren, Lucy, Fiona, Rebecca and Rosie. They were easily in their tents before the heavy rain struck everybody.

The camp spot for group 2 on night 3. They were so comfortable nobody came out to meet me when I said hello! - It was pouring with rain!

Day 4 had some sunny spells. The heavy rain has passed - only showers were left.. (so yes, we did say the girls might get showers this week - but no we didn't tell them to take shampoo!!! - not that kind of showers!!!)

The Megs girls in fine form - only 6km to go.. They gave a really strong performance over the 4 days - everything perfect (except 1 wrong grid reference - we can forget that lol)..

Alison welcomes group 1 at the end of their 4 day expedition.

Everybody was very happy to finally get to the end !!! Group 3 - Fayne, Kim, Julie, Katie, Minty and Ellie.

Group 2 - Victoria, Rachel, Hannah, Sophie, Ailsa, Lucy and Harriet.

Massive congratulations to all the girls. They all worked so hard in such difficult conditions to complete their expedition. The weather was sometimes awful, and the conditions difficult nad everything was wet - but they all stayed strong and pulled it out of the bag. They always lookd after each other and stayed motivated - They have all deserved to pass with flying colours - WELL DONE... Congratulations from Alison and myself...

Golden Sun D of E

Tom, Mayon, Anna, Luke, Malcolm and Dan on their way down Faire Clach-glais on day 1 of their Practice Gold D of E.

Gold-Expeditions.com , Off Piste Performance Ltd

This week I was working with Alison and Alex with students from Albyn and St. Margaret's schools on their DofE Gold Training Expedition. Luckily the weather was hughly in our favour, so I didn't have to pack my bag with a great deal of clothing, but I more than made up for it with extra food treats, and a bike repair kit. I think I may have only seen a couple of midges all week, so my midge net still hasn't been used this year yet. However, it was a week for suncream, and I managed to stay protected, but Grace in particular managed to get a definite 'glow' from the sun - hopefully she's had her aftersun bath now! Visibility was excellent all the time, exept for the last morning. The mist came in and lowered over the last night, and by 8am on Sunday, there was zero vis on the hills. The groups on the hill that day were psyching up for a full on test of their nav training, but then the mist lifted to be patchy for the rest of the day - Sandy's team in particular performed some excellent navigation across a string of hills to complete their exped in fine style.I'm a big fan of monculars and good quality radios for use by DofE supervisors now, they made observation and communication so much more efficient this week.

I hope all my work this year will be this much fun and enjoyable.

On day 2 of training, the group constantly have situations to deal with - to learn what to do, what not to do. This group learnt that straight line journeys are not always the best plan!

A group at the top of the hill on the right

Group 4 on Antler Ridge, on their way down from Carn Torcaidh

I had a great time on my bike this week - but finally the tyres have given up and the inner tube is making a break for freedom. The bike managed to limp home to the end in Braemar.

Ellie, Meggie, Grace, Sarah, Victoria, Madeleine and Carmen going strong on their biggest hill day - here walking NE from Coire na creige

Looking down at Bynack Lodge

I had time to check out a few properties - here is Mar Lodge

At the end of the exped in Braemar, the groups finally got their boots off and revealed their blisters. There had been very little complaining all exped, despite the resonable level of suffering.

No, this isn't compeed (compeed.co.uk) - this is the blister under the compeed!

Gold Training

Some of this food was recommended - and some not. I might throw the Haribo in at the last minute - exped comfort food! I'm always amazed at what luxury items the girls take. This time my luxury items of choice are flip flops and a towel to have a good wash every day.

Today I was working in Aberdeen for Alison Culshaw on a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Training day - prepping for the training Gold 4 day Exped going out tomorrow. The girls are mostly from Albyn and St. Margarets Schools in Aberdeen. After doing their Bronze and Silver awards, the girls seem pretty savvy with expeditions - so hopes are high for a smooth training exped. The temperatures are down, so out come the warm clothes again (but ever optimistic, I'm keeping the suncream and sunshades handy - and unfortunatley the midge net).