Hiking the peaks with the Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme has reached the grand old age of 55. After half a century of engaging young people with a love for the outdoors, Outdoor Adventure Guide discovers this enduring rite of passage still holds huge enthusiasm among the students at Stamford High School

Last September, a group of 20 15-year-old girls from Stamford High School ventured to the Peaks, rucksacks filled and waterproof maps at the ready, for a three-day hike from Ashbourne Heights to Parsley Hay. Their challenge? To scoop the DofE Silver Award.

Going for silver

To qualify for the Silver Award, the girls have to complete a three-day expedition, including two nights’ camping, in an area of open forest or countryside they are unfamiliar with.

Each day they are expected to do seven hours of walking, covering an overall distance of around 30 miles, while carrying everything from their socks right through to their tents.

Preparation is key

The girls didn’t simply head out to the Peaks with little or no training, as safety is paramount. Like all Duke of Edinburgh participants, the Stamford girls planned their trip before they left and had been trained in all the basic skills they could possibly need out on the hill; from map-reading right through to lighting their Trangias!

Most of the girls had already completed a two-day hike for the Bronze award, and they’d also had a more local preparation trip so they were ready to face the hills.

The group are packed and ready to go. But before they load the mini bus, Nicky, the assessor, weighs in the rucksacks – no broken backs today please!

Day 1

• The group are packed and ready to go. But before they load the mini bus, Nicky, the assessor, weighs in the rucksacks – nobroken backs today please!
• The four groups ofgirls set off on the first hike pumped with enthusiasm (despite the early morning chill in the air).
• Where’s the B&B? christen their compass Greg. Obviously. And the girls take to the firstbig hill – quite a struggle with those hefty packs.
• Meanwhile, We thought it was a disco! crack out the tunes to keep them motivated
• As the gang stop for the first night at the Endon Cottage site, the tents get pitched before the light falls. Assessor Nicky has to check the girls eat at leastone warm meal before the day’s out. Beanfeast anyone?

Day 2

• After a chilly night in tents, the groups cook up breakfast then pack up for the another day’s walking
• Where’s the B&B? find a new way to get up the hills – running – hardy stuff.
• Lord of the rings come across Thor’s cave in the Manifold valley and declare it the best part of the trip so far.
• Cordie from Mecha pretends to be dead at the top of a hill. However, no-one notices so she’s forced to spring back into life.
• At camp number two – Bensford Home Farm – the Vango tents and Trianga cookers come back out for more campsite feasts.

Day 3

• It’s another chilly morning as the trekkers get packed up again for their final day’s trek and the end is tantalisingly close.
• The groups start to find the hills are getting easier. Practice? Maybe, or perhaps it’s because they’ve eaten their way through all the supplies!
• A couple of the groups get lost at the top of the hill, but teamwork and compasses prevail, and there’s more singing from all the groups as they near the finish.
• We thought it was a disco spot the finishing line and leg it.
• Finally, all the groups throw off their packs and collapse in the minibus ready for the journey back to Stamford.Good job well done.

What is the DofE Award?

It all started back in 1956 with Everest expedition leader Lord John Hunt at the helm and Prince Phillip as Chairman. Seven thousand boys took part in the scheme which, back then, consisted of four sections: rescue & public service, expeditions, pursuits
& projects, and fitness. Today, there are 275,000 people working towards their DofE.

Starting off with the Bronze award, which can be completed by anyone aged 14-24, it continues on to the Silver, and later the Gold awards. At each stage, the participants have to complete four sections: volunteering, physical, skill and expedition.

For many, that expedition is the pinnacle of DofE. The bit you laugh about with your friends years later; the part that wore in your first pair of walking boots, and the weekend when you first really experienced the outdoors.

Most trips are on foot, though you can also bike it, paddle it, sai

l it or even jump on a horse. Ever seen a group of lost teenagers weighed down with rucksacks bigger than

them wandering the fields? Chances are they’re on a DofE expedition.

Get involved

Like the sound of it? Or want to encourage someone you know to get involved in theDuke of Edinburgh Scheme? Visit dofe.org/takepart

The scheme’s only for 14-24 year olds, but those the wiser side of 25 can always volunteer – the charity always needs leaders, co-ordinators, assessors and helpers.

Need some hiking gear? Check out our rucksack reviews.

The Stamford Girl’s expedition was assessed by

Accredited Assessor Nicky Young

More stuff that you might find interesting

• Wales Coastal Path set to open 5th May
• All-new Outdoor Adventure Guide out now
• Walking Boots: Merrel Chameleon Arc 2 Rival
• Walking Boots: Hanwag Tatra Wide
• The ultimate trekking kit
• Approach Shoes: Mizuno Wave Escape
• Approach Shoes: Scarpa Vortex XCR
• Approach Shoes: Hi-Tec V-Lite Infinity
• Approach Shoes: Hanwag Drifter
• Win! Teva Sky Lake Trail Shoes