By: Blonde Two
Today sees the start of the last official Blonde expedition for 2016 (well until Ten Tors training starts again in October). We have our own Blonde Gold Expedition to come in August (Diamond Challenge) but no youngsters will be accompanying us on that one.
Exmoor always surprises me by being so different to Dartmoor. It seems to be more domesticated, but has steeper ups and downs into and out of the lovely (and lonely) river valleys, and the ridges are long and view-filled. While our youngsters expedition for four days, we Blondes will be staying in one such lovely valley and will have a walk across a river and up a track every morning to find our minibus and after that our team.
Gold DofE is a significant challenge, carrying all that you need for four days and three nights (and the DofE kit list is long) is a heavy job and with Exmoor’s hills to contend with, team work, navigation skills and perseverance become paramount.
This particular team have trained hard and for a long time for their assessed expedition. They deserve to pass, and they deserve a few other camping luxuries; you know the sort of thing: good weather, no biting insects, beautiful camp spots, equipment that does what it is supposed to do… let’s hope all their wishes are granted!
