Lower 6 Gold Participants Venture to the Yorkshire Dales
October 24, 2024
23 L6 DofE Gold participants, in 4 groups, undertook their qualifying expedition at the start of half-term. They travelled up on Sunday and arrived in fine weather. A storm passed over further North overnight, so tents were shaking a bit but all were still in the right places in the morning. They set off on a damp Monday but no heavier rain than drizzle.
The first day is always the worst, having to get use to the rucksacks and navigating, but all groups did well and arrived at their next campsites in good spirits. Tuesday and Wednesday saw improving weather, first cloud then more sunshine. The Yorkshire Dales scenes change under the different lighting, from dour, dark walls and shadows to shining grey walls and green grass. The expedition took place around Grassington, Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small, and their routes took them past some farms and fields used in the filming.
Wednesday night soon arrived and most groups had planned the best meal for that night. The sun shone till dusk, when the temperature dropped. They set off at 7am on Thursday morning, having to navigate by head-torches to start with. They arrived at the end point delighted to have finished but also proud of themselves and the groups. Tents were put up to dry in the sun and equipment cleaned, checked and handed in. Their DofE assessor debriefed each group, all of whom passed. The coach left on time, soon to stop at a service station for all to enjoy a meal of 'fast food'! Well done to all participants.
A big thank you must go to the staff who helped with the expedition; without them giving up their time, these expedition would not be possible.




