The Royal Air Force Air Cadets joined forces from across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Middlesex to take 4 gold and 1 silver group to the Peak District to complete their expeditions. The event involved 31 Air Cadets and 7 staff members from across all these areas.
The support of the Ulysses Trust was essential to take this number of cadets away over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. The cost of campsites, in such an idyllic location, are sky high – however the location is essential for the gold participant for delivering an expedition at this time of year in wild country area.
The first day of activity saw participants travel to the location, set up base camp and complete final kit checks with their supervisors. Some excellent skills shown by the camp staff – cooking chilli and rice for 40 people on 4 camps stoves!!! Epic result – and it tasted good!!
On the Friday all participants were transported to their start points near Miller’s Dale all heading due north towards Castleton on various routes across the area to end at Pindale Farm. This, for some was their first experience of walking in a wild country area and their experience was hindered by some poor weather (high wind and driving rain) on their first expedition day. That said, on arrival at the campsite there were smiles on faces for a good days work and experience.
On Saturday, this was the first true day up on the ‘Peaks’. Groups were up nice and early to make best of the drier weather (making lighter tents) and out of the campsite early. Some lovely feedback from the staff saying they didn’t even hear them leave when staff checked out!! Groups went different ways around Castleton to get to the ridgeline to the north. All groups then headed due west in much drier conditions form Lose Hill, Hollins Cross, Mam Tor, then to the western end of Rushup Edge. This is a very picturesque view on both sides of the ridge and a challenge to get up on to the ridge, then consistently up and down for each peak. A challenging day for all, but happy to arrive into the campsite in the sunshine this day.
On Sunday (day 3 of the expedition) – was most of the cadets favourite day – this was a full day on the peaks as the campsite was at the base of the first mountain. The groups started along the Pennine Way and climbed to the well-known Jacob’s Ladder. All the cadets took the challenge and did extremely well to work as a group to get around. The groups then headed north across Kinder Scout to the famous Kinder Downfall. The trickiest part of the day was cutting back across Kinder Scout at the top – whilst the moorland was mainly dry, the route is unclear and the “trenches” on top can be 12 foot deep so people easily get lost in following them, rather than their bearing! All groups made their way across then took on their last challenge of the day, a crag climb down by the Fox holes finished by a walk back into camp. A tough but very enjoyable day in brilliant sunshine. At the end of this day, Lily, one of the younger cadets on the expedition said
“This is the best day, I have never seen views like it before. I am so proud of us all for completing it”.
The final day saw camp packed up in damp rain. The start of the day saw them shelter by walking in the valley until cutting up back onto the peaks to the ridgeline and over and around back into the forest . Then an anti-clockwise route Ladybower Reservoir, up onto Derwent and back down to the visitors centre where the sun was shining enough for all to enough an ice cream during their debriefs. These were aptly timed as the heavens opened and everyone ran to their transport home.
All the groups did fantastically well – all were asleep within 30 minutes of the drive home. This is the most successful expedition I have run since 2020 (covid) with numbers increasing and success rate. This activity would not have happened without the generosity of the Ulysses Trust. The gratitude and thanks are sent to the Ulysses Trust from all the participants and staff involved. 22 of the cadets completed their awards at the end of this expedition – 18 will be off to Buckingham Palace to receive their awards.
This experience has had a positive impact on all, but a significant impact on cadets from a lesser social-economic area who’s opportunities for activities like this in areas like the Peak District are strengthened by the support of The Ulysses Trust. Thank you!
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
