On Saturday the 8th of March 2006 eleven cadets from Bloxham School assembled in the School Activity Centre (CCF HQ) for final expedition planning and first aid training prior to departure on their planned expeditions. The day started with a four hour first aid training package covering emergency procedures on the hill. This activity was organised by the Red Cross who carried out the training and awarded certificates in Emergency Aid.
Following ‘first aiding’ they had all their expedition kit scrutinised by Major Billington. A process that involved all the carefully packed rucksacks being unceremoniously and completely emptied (with the associated grumbling one would expect from such a demand) and the contents inspected for suitability on the hill. Once everyone was equipped with suitable and appropriate kit (from the School stores where necessary) the rucksacks could be repacked in preparation for departure the following day. The day was a great success and seemed to be enjoyed by all.
Both groups departed from Postbridge on Dartmoor the following Monday morning in glorious sunshine having driven down the previous day and camped overnight in readiness for an early start. Both groups set out accompanied by their respective instructors for a 15km hike across the moors. Captain Alistair Othen put the Gold team through their paces ensuring each individual was happy with every aspect of map reading, navigation and general hill-walking skills, whilst Major Jo Billington took the Silver candidates (with the aid of Mr Ian Gunn….a very willing parent and ex - soldier himself) through the more elementary elements of using a map and compass. By the end of the trip both teams had looked very closely at navigation, dead reckoning, aiming off, hand railing, dog legging and other advanced elements of navigation.
On day two the Gold team continued to work with Captain Othen as he put them through some emergency procedures with a simulated broken leg. The Silver team were sent off on their own to ensure that they had really picked up the map-reading skills from the previous day with Major B and Mr Gunn check-pointing their progress from time to time to ensure they were not lost. The late morning saw a dramatic change in weather with 50 knots of wind sweeping across the moor and torrential rain. This was a challenge for even the most experienced mountaineer, and therefore the silver group were permanently accompanied by Mr Gunn and Major B all afternoon. By the time the groups reached the Plume of Feathers everyone was absolutely soaked - down to their underwear! The silvers also suffered two casualties losing two group members to broken hiking boots!!
Fortunately the Campsite that evening at the Plume of Feathers was where the support team (Mr and Mrs Thompson) were based in a bunk house. It turned out to be a good job too as their bedroom and kitchen facilities suddenly turned into a mass drying room for the plethora of socks, boots, trousers, gloves etc most of which still remain unclaimed!
On day three the Silver group’s training really came together, proving to be an excellent team and good navigators. They were ahead of schedule at all of the checkpoints and arrived at their final destination early and in good order. Sadly for the Gold group they were not afforded the same luxury as this was their longest day, covering some 25 kilometres. They also made it in, in fine order but evidently a good deal later and considerably more fatigued!
The week finished very successfully, with the teams showing exceptional skills. Special thanks goes to Mr and Mrs Thompson for being such an excellent support team and to Mr Gunn and Captain Othen for all their hard work and commitment.
