Sunny days

It was a big weekend last weekend for my Bronze D of E group. It was their Qualifier Expedition weekend. The planned route was circuit from Inverdruie to Loch Morlich campsite and back via the Cairngorm Footbridge. The first day certainly was not navigationally challenging, although a diversion through Badaguish did give the group a few decisions to make. After a night of relative comfort at the campsite (spent separated from the main collection of campers) they set off again, taking a route on the track to Rothiemuchus Lodge and then off to the footbridge and then before reaching Loch an Eilein taking a minor road back to Inverdruie car park.

Setting off

Over all, I think the girls had a good time. The weather was fabulous, although not perhaps the best for walking with a huge rucksack. However, they looked after themselves and each other, like a good team should, and no one suffered from dehydration or sunburn. There were navigational issues either, which I wasn’t expecting anyway.

We pitched behind the toilet block below My hill, Meall a Bhuachaille

Doing what supervisors do best!

As supervisors, David and I met up with them a couple of times on both days. Once each day to cross the road (not because they can’t do this, but to adhere to safety and welfare practices), after few junction decisions on day one to make sure they were happy and not lost and at lunch stop on the second day as this was by a fast flowing river, in case they wanted to paddle and cool their hot feet. They did!

Glean Eanaich

Tall trees

At the end of the day

I’ll never make a ladypop!

Across Loch Morlich

Cooling their feet

Towards the Lairig Ghru

The assessor met up with the girls at the beginning and end of the first day (although she didn’t check their pitch or that they ate a hot meal, which is a stipulation of an expedition) and then again as they set off on the second day. That was it. I was a bit disappointed she didn’t meet up with them at the end for a debrief but we were there to congratulate them and reward their efforts with an ice cream. Well done girls!