Bronze practice expedition 

First time out on expedition, 37 Lower V ventured out on their Bronze practice expedition.  As the photos reveal, the girls were incredibly organised, delegating the tasks of pitching and striking tents, cooking and washing up most efficiently.  Most had also mastered the skill of keeping their tents tidy!  All six groups were immensely strong on their walking, arriving back at St Mary's on time!  They had proved their route plotting was accurate and their navigation skills sound!  It has to be the best Bronze practice expedition that I have supervised in the last five years!  Well done girls!

Silver practice expedition

It did not matter how much the wind blew (40 mph) or how much it snowed, the girls were determined to complete their 3 days of walking and 2 nights of camping.  Tents were pitched in the dark as they struggled to make headway against a biting easterly wind, however, the next day the girls were able to coincide their breaks when the sun shone!  Unfit?  No, just soaking up the sunshine!

The final day saw the girls fighting to stay on the ox drove at Win Green as driving snow and a howling northerly wind made each step a test of strength and will power. Hopefully, the weather will be better when the assessed expedition takes place in late June!
 

Gold practice expedition

2 teams of four girls set off to Dartmoor to undertake their Gold assessed expedition. Starting at Belstone, pictured here, they walked the length and breadth of Dartmoor to complete 4 days of walking minimum distances of 22km, and camping overnight for 3 nights.  The expedition is unsupported, so they had to carry all their own tents and equipment and enough food for four days! Some girls were camera shy - wouldn't you be if you had spent 4 days on Dartmoor without washing or brushing your hair!