QMHS DofE: Practice and training in the Black Mountains 2018

It is the turn of the Black Mountains to host training for our future silver and gold award students of year 10. During this time our year 11 and 12 students we on practice expeditions to check their abilities before qualification this September.

The location for base camp was in the village of Cwmdu, an ideal place to carry out lots of training with year 10 in the surrounding area and for the checking on the teams who were taking in the following areas:

Sugar Loaf
Llanthony
Mynydd Troed
Mynydd Llangynidr

The students had some highs and lows but all showed great determination to learn from mistakes and have a successful expedition. The weather was unusually hot and this itself provided a challenge for staff and students a like. Supervisors became pack horses often carrying their own water plus some 8 litre packs which were perfect for extra top ups for our groups. Thanks Vango!

Year 10 got to grips with their camp craft again and completed 3 days of training which helped them build on their previous award and learn some new skills to help them navigate more confidently. They also simulated a leg of an expedition with basically full packs. Well done year 10.