Four groups of Birkdale upper sixth form returned from the Lake District with their hard-earned Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Expeditions successfully completed.
One third of Birkdale’s upper sixth form finally left their A-level exam desks and piled into minibuses bound for the Lake District fells. The twenty three pupils in four groups all returned rejoicing yesterday with everyone successful. Pupils overcame very difficult conditions at times, showing great determination and teamwork.
The July expeditions had started with the heat as an added challenge to carrying all their camping gear and food over their 50+ mile routes, over eight hours each day. Another difficulty was the bridges in the area that have not yet been repaired from last November’s floods meant some bussing round at Lorton. Careful checks had been made of other bridges throughout the walks, and were double checked by staff before pupils reached those sections.
As gales approached on the second night, wild camps at Sprinkling and Sty Head Tarns were diverted to their pre-planned alternative campsites down in the valleys. The third day’s heavy rain and strong winds dictated that their bad weather option routes were followed over the lower passes, with Mountain Leader- qualified staff and the assessors moving in close to supervise and gauge the safety of wind and river levels. Everyone was wet through, but encouraged by the experience of the staff, they pressed on.
Some pupils later described the experience of the buffeting wind and rain as their exhilarating high point to the expedition not everyone agreed! Others said their best moment was that evening arriving at campsites when the sun came out and the wind helped a lot of drying. There was some discussion of what food had been the best, with the most votes going to fajita wraps!
Some had to dig deep setting off on the final day’s march, but as they drew near to their end points everyone was so glad to have achieved their goals.
The whole training and qualifying expeditions are organized and run by Birkdale teaching staff, with external assessors always giving high praise. This year over 95% of third years (Y9) successfully completed their Bronze D of E Expeditions in the Peak District and with six groups, 33% of the lower sixth form have already passed their Gold Training Expedition in the Lake District this term. The award is still becoming ever more popular and goes from strength to strength at Birkdale.
Well done to everyone!
