last weekend saw me working a DoE Silver practice in the Peak District for Learn Outdoors. A real contrast in weather conditions gave the silver teams
a real challenge with a full 3 seasons in 3 days!
After a pleasant enough start, we were wading through mud as we got a first hand view of how wet the winter has been round here. Then steady rain and cold temps throughout the afternoon and evening made tent pitching and cooking a challenge, which resulted in some less than happy campers! The judicious use of tarps by the instructors at least made the cooking experience a little less unpleasant for the teams.
After a cold night, Saturday morning started cool but bright and sunny which lifted spirits. The day continued better than forecast, though with the occasional flurry of snow and hail, through to a very pleasant sunny evening by Hen Cloud. The night was again cold with a hard frost but better spirits at bedtime and some experiential learning meant everyone felt they’d had a warmer night. The final morning over the iconic Roaches was a glorious sunny one with superb views and the day remained fair. So despite a cool air temperature, the feel good factor persisted to the finish at Tittesworth reservoir and a tired but happy bunch having successfully completed their practice, learned some good navigation and kit lessons along the way and looking forward to a (hopefully) warmer assessment on the Long Mynd in July!
After a pleasant enough start, we were wading through mud as we got a first hand view of how wet the winter has been round here. Then steady rain and cold temps throughout the afternoon and evening made tent pitching and cooking a challenge, which resulted in some less than happy campers! The judicious use of tarps by the instructors at least made the cooking experience a little less unpleasant for the teams.
After a cold night, Saturday morning started cool but bright and sunny which lifted spirits. The day continued better than forecast, though with the occasional flurry of snow and hail, through to a very pleasant sunny evening by Hen Cloud. The night was again cold with a hard frost but better spirits at bedtime and some experiential learning meant everyone felt they’d had a warmer night. The final morning over the iconic Roaches was a glorious sunny one with superb views and the day remained fair. So despite a cool air temperature, the feel good factor persisted to the finish at Tittesworth reservoir and a tired but happy bunch having successfully completed their practice, learned some good navigation and kit lessons along the way and looking forward to a (hopefully) warmer assessment on the Long Mynd in July!
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| Lovely morning, Hen Cloud |
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| Coming off the Roaches in good spirits |
