12°C, white cloud start, rain later.
Gold Acclimatisation and Training day: walked a circuit on Kinder Scout to train this group since they didn’t pass their first practice expedition. Below, under “more” is a copy of their feedback I wrote to them in school at the end of July.
Today, I focused on navigation methods. They were ill prepared for their practice last July and repeated mistakes again today. At least they had lighter packs, down from 22kg to 17. However, only one in the group had gloves.
Apart from that, their progress was good for most of the day. Some compass work seemed to confuse them. They did say that they’d had no navigation training when they did bronze (this isn’t true). Some work to do then.
The day worked well generally but their mood changed by about 5pm. They allowed themselves to become tired. I don’t think they ate enough and the rain washed away any remaining enthusiasm.

The descent wasn’t well liked. It was really just a sandstone staircase. Even in the heavy rain that had started by 5pm, it should have been fun. Instead, they began grumbling. Its an infectious habit that  always spreads from the same girl. Admittedly, the weather was gloomy and the rain, obviously set in for the night. It was not however, cold.

Some of these comments should be read in the context of DofE’s requirements for an expedition. Such requirements are included in what’s called the “20 conditions”.
This document was written to summarise the conversation had in the motorway service station on the way home. We had some food, coffee and organised a de-brief. Other staff were especially concerned by their failure to get onto Open Access ground and therefore follow their planned expedition route. We all fielded comments verbally which amounted to excuses which were focussed on blaming other people. That’s a distraction, they have a problem to solve here and steering the conversation off in this way does nothing to solve those problems.

In conversations, participants had doubts about Conditions 1,2,5,19, (some or all of them).

For some of you, it was clear that some problems led to other problems in a clear sequence. A/ Heavy bags make you tired (no.5); B/ tired walkers make mistakes; C/ mistakes in navigation adds excessive distance to your journey; D/ Tired and overloaded walkers lost focus and didn’t follow a clear sequence when setting up camp.
Some were in such a state that they didn’t even feel like cooking a meal (No.19). Warm food would have made you warm, replenished tired & sore muscles and allow you to think clearly. Once your mind is back to clear-thinking, your campcraft would have run more smoothly. Then you can get a good night’s sleep. You need more sleep when doing demanding activities like this.

Too many didn’t insure yourselves against adverse weather (no.5). Your mistake was to leave out:

• Waterproof trousers,
• Gloves,
• a hat,
• Suitable water containers, single-use small bottles are too risky

Conversely, you took gear that is not suitable:

• Cotton clothes (incl leggings)

• Heavy packs (two were over 20kg., nobody needs more than 16-17 kg.