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Have any of you guys done this and have you found it helpful.
I was just wondering as I am doing mine now.

Was one of the first teams to do this in 1956, when the DoE was launched. What it entails today I do not know, but for 16 year olds dumped out of the back of a truck with only a map, compass and no money it was, I guess, the forerunner of todays bonding sessions.

We made our way to the rendezvous point just before dusk, had equivalent of todays BBQ, slept in a barn overnight and had a pig trough as a wash basin.

The learning curve didn't get much steeper than this so go and enjoy it!

I've got my Gold DofE Award.

However, I couldn't tell you if it is beneficial to you in terms of gettting a job. It may have helped me get into uni though.......

The expeditions weren't that tough. Although on my Gold expedition after 4 days marching up & down all the major peaks in the Lake District, my feet were beginning to feel it. The main benefit about the expeditions is that they teach you a bit about yourself. When you have no support and have to carry all your kit, navigate, march & survive you find out your strengths & weaknesses. For me I found that, without sounding too big-headed, I can keep quite calm when things aren't exactly going too well.

The incident in question occurred on the last (4th) day. The weather was horrible - very strong winds & sideways, heavy rain & hail. Two of my group were starting to go down with hypothermia & the other had injured his leg so couldn't walk properly. Coupled with this we were at about 700m up and slightly 'geographically embarrassed' (lost in other words). It was evident that if we stopped for too long to try & assess our location, the two guys who were showing symptoms of hypothermia were going to get worse. To cut a long story short, I thought "hmmm, there's a road in that direction which we can hit & then get onto our low route & sort the guys out". Took a bearing, marched off dragging one of the guys while hop-a-long helped the other and managed to get down to sea-level & shelter without any casualties.

Needless to say we left the incident out when reporting to our assessor (didn't want to fail). But the guys did thank me a few days later by buying me a few beers - which was nice

The expeditions also increased my love of the mountains. Leading to the fact that I'm now working towards my ML (Summer) qualification and have my assessment in September.

Mainly it's a good laugh. The fact that it is something which you can put on your CV is a bonus.

I completed my Bronze and Silver DofE with the Air Cadets. I left before i got a chance to complete the Gold. I only ended up doing the Gold Practice Walk.

Got my Full Bronze one and my Gold expedition. I didn't do the full Gold award though, i was only interested in the walking. We did the same as dannyd, through the lakes in early spring, it was very cold. The expedition is fairly ok, after your first few days your legs start getting stronger and by the end of just four days my legs became "aclimatised" to me and the bergan weight.

It definately is easy enough for you to enjoy and take in the scenery, give it a go.

dannyd - is there any sites about the ML qualifications, i've heard others talking about it and it sounds good.

Cheers, Rob

RobT wrote:dannyd - is there any sites about the ML qualifications, i've heard others talking about it and it sounds good.

There you go Rob:

http://www.mltb.org/ this is the main site of the MLTB (Mountain Leader Training Board)

Plus a few websites that run various courses.
http://www.westcoast-mountainguides.co. ... itions.htm

http://www.rock-climbing-courses.co.uk/

http://www.mountainwise.co.uk/home.htm

As you're in the TA try & get on a course at JSATI (Joint School of Adventurous Training Instructors) at Llanwrst.

Nice one matey, i'll have a gander.

Bob

i was going to do the DoE award this year, but i didnt put my name down, wish i did now

We did a practise expedition (Friday-Saturday) on PRB barracks
The RSM got on the bus and said
"Don't mess about and go out of the camp site. The guard dogs will be out and they will go for the throut. If the dogs don't get you but you mess about that is my jail over there (points to jail) and you are dependants so can actually go in there. Now have a good time."
You could of heard a pin drop! We were scared Sh*tless.
It was like, if the dogs don't get you I'll throw you in the barracks jail.
Not a good start.