Duke of Edinburgh Students Beat Snowdonia Challenge for Gold Awards

Ten adventurous College students braved the changing autumnal weather atop Snowdonia as they sought to pass the Expedition component of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The students, who each returned successful in their task, spent five days and four nights being self-sufficient in food, clothing and shelter, which equated to them carrying approximately 15-20kg in their rucksacks on each day of the expedition.

Conducting a range of activities, including investigating erosion of footpaths and the changing use of the landscape and facilities in the Snowdonia National Park area, the students trekked for eight hours each day covering a total distance of 80 kilometres.

The expedition is both challenging and physically demanding, with students navigating their way frodukegold awardm location to location and planning their route through the National Park. Each participant rose to the challenge and worked formidably as a team, making informed decisions along their routes. The band of committed students had experience on their side, though, since their practice expedition in July, but this undertaking was a level up from their previous pursuit.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College DofE Coordinator and Business teacher, Steve Hafford, was pleased by the progress made during the expedition and how well the students did overall: “Each candidate performed exceptionally throughout the expedition. All the students interacted with each other well and had the opportunity to lead their team during the daily treks. It was a superb expedition with a lot of highs.”