DofE practice expedition, 30th April to 1st May

A two-day DofE bronze expedition in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, with boys from a well-known public school in London; I was working for Undercocer Rock in Bristol. A weekend of walking and showing the boys how to do hike, navigate, cook, and make camp. Quite hard work, but a very rewarding. I felt that it was a job well done.

Goatchurch Cavern, 29th April

I was working for Aardvark Endeavours as an assistant Cave Leader; the particpants were twelve young women on a hen party. They were quite a sporty bunch, and we managed to get all the way to the Drainpipe, and ten of us went through it, with much celebration at the far end; the other two went to the dig, instead. A very enjoyable trip all round, I think.

DofF practice hike, 25th April

A short evening hike near Stanton Drew on Dundry Hill, just south of Bristol, with youngsters on the DofE programme run by Briatol City Council Youth Services, in preparation for a longer hike in the Brecon Beacons on 6th May. For many of the youngsters, this was their first hike on the countryside, and quite an experience, especially when threatening clouds finally caught up with us, and we were caught in heavy rain and wintry-cold downdraughts.

There was some good navigation by the youngsters, so my colleague Brad must have done a good job on the preceding indoor training evenings.

April caving

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practice cave rescue, 23rd April 2017

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Great Langdale to Scafell Pike and BowFell, 8th April 2017

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ropework masterclass, 7th April 2017

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