Exercise ITCHYFOOT is the pinnacle adventurous training activity that Essex ACF runs annually for cadets in the Peak District. It is celebrating its 30th year and from humble beginnings has become the ultimate AT event in the Essex calendar. We are extremely grateful to have received a grant from the Ulysses Trust to assist with this year’s exercise, which enables the cadets to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
On Saturday 24th May 2025, 27 cadets and 10 instructors set off from Essex to partake in Exercise Itchyfoot in the Peak District and, following a four-hour drive, the transport arrived at Fleet Green Farm. Upon arrival, the cadets were allocated their accommodation in the farm buildings and prepared themselves ready for the initial activities.
The first activity the cadets conducted was a short drive away at Buxton swimming pool and the cadets were not aware of what had been booked in the pool until we arrived. Upon arrival at the pool the cadets saw the obstacle course inflatable in the main pool. Following a swimming assessment conducted by the lifeguards, the cadets attempted the inflatable aiming to complete the course first. The cadets had 45 minutes on this facility, and all cadets walked away with a smile.
The group then returned to Fleet Green farm to prepare for their activities starting the following day. These would work on a three-day rotation with the cadets split into three groups.
The activities were:
Kayaking at Carsington Water
Trial biking across the High Peak Trial and Tissington Trail finishing in Ashbourne
Hill walking at the Dark Peak around Edale
Kayaking: The Kayaking package was run at Carsington Water in Ashbourne; this is a picturesque reservoir and provides a great location for the cadets to partake in this activity. It was delivered by three Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who have all achieved their qualifications through the ACF.
Once the cadets arrived at the activity, they started by unloading the kayaks and equipment from the vehicles and laying everything out ready to launch. Once everybody had changed, the cadets started with a warmup which would prepare them to begin their paddling day. Once on the water the cadets received instruction about how to paddle forwards, backwards and how to turn the kayak around. The session lasted for 5 hours on the water. After the instructional phases, the cadets started playing kayak-based games, such as tag, bulldog, etc. After these games, the cadets begin playing the ‘wet’ games – their favourite part of the activity.
These games include rafting up in the kayaks, then getting cadets to change boats whilst in the raft, half of them standing up, one cadet doing a lap around the kayaks and returning to their boat. Once the rafting games finished, the instructors moved to the games that get everybody wet. The session finished with a game of King of the Ring where the aim was for the cadets to capsize each other until there is one boat afloat. Once the session finished the cadets then had an opportunity to visit the visitor centre at Carsington Water before starting the drive back to Fleet Green Farm.
Trial Biking: The trial biking day took place along the High Peak and Tissington trails. The route was along a disused railway line with magnificent views along the route. It is 40km long and includes a lunch stop at the halfway point at Parsley Hay Visitors’ Centre. This stop was popular with the cadets, and they headed towards the food shop for some extra food and a hot drink. The afternoon session took the group mainly downhill to the finishing point in Ashbourne. The instructors and cadets enjoyed this route as they passed an old railway signal box which still has the levers viewable in the window.
The Trial Biking Day started with an introduction to the bikes the cadets used, including a discussion on using gears on a mountain bike as well as how to safely use the brakes. This was put into practice in the car park before setting off on the route. There were a variety of experience with some cadets that had not ridden a bike for 7 years and others that were experienced cyclists.
As the cadets began the ride, they headed along the gravel track and, after approximately one kilometre, arrived at the base of the major hill they needed to ascend, a climb which challenges all who approach it. The cadets then continued along the trial and approached a former railway station where the remains of the platform are covered with grass. Some of the cadets also met the resident chickens, with one cadet saying, ‘I’ve not seen a real chicken before’ The route then continues to Gotham village but unfortunately no sign of Batman! This provided a drink stop with another magnificent view of the area. The cadets then continued and conducted a challenge through a series of gates where a cadet advanced to the gate and aimed to have the gates open early enough so the remainder of the group could head through without stopping.
After lunch the group head towards Ashbourne, which, being mainly downhill, enabled them to pick up speed. Along the route they passed an old signal box and continued until they reached the station at Tissington, which, like the previous station, has an old platform. At this location the cadets were set a challenge to make the Itchyfoot Code and number (IF30), using themselves, and after about 5 minutes, the cadets worked achieved this, as is recorded in a photograph. The group then embarked on the final section to Ashbourne, taking them through a long tunnel which then arrives in the car park. On previous occasions. this tunnel has had buskers performing but unfortunately this year there was no entertainment on the way through.
Lance Corporal F explained his experience of trial biking:
“Biking was excellent as always. You got the chance to see lots of the landscape surrounding the biking trial, which made for amazing photos. It was definitely one of my favourite and best activity that we did as a group.”
Hill Walking: On the day for Hill Walking the cadets drove to Edale. Once they arrived, they put on their rucksacks and headed through the village to the start of the route. The route takes them around the bottom of Golden Clough and The Nab in the Dark Peak, passes through farms and a youth hostel. The first half of the route involved some short inclines as well as descents. During the walk, the cadets crossed a stream trying not to get their feet too wet. The route continued across Mam Tor and Losehill Pike before returning to Edale for a well-earned tea and cake at the village coffee shop.
Cadet R explained her experience of the hill walking day:
“I did the hill walking exercise on my last day of Itchyfoot ‘30’. Although the weather was not the best, we still had such a great time. There were so many picture opportunities that showed the true beauty of the Peak District. It was an amazing route challenging us to get to the top of the hill and once we were up there, it felt amazing! Hill walking was a great end to my Ichyfoot experience, and I would love to do it again on Itchyfoot ‘31’.”
Abseiling: In the evenings after the activities, the cadets had the opportunity to abseil off Millers Dale Bridge which is a 90ft viaduct bridge and this was one of the activities which most challenged the cadets. The cadets began by fitting their harness and helmets and were then given a demonstration by a willing adult volunteer. After the demonstration the cadets were connected to the safety line and the abseil rope. Once a cadet is attached to both ropes they step through the metal barrier on the bridge and prepare to lower themselves down the bridge.
The scariest parts are stepping through the fence and then taking the initial steps down the bridge. Once the cadets start descending the bridge there is only one way to go…. Down. As they descended down the bridge, they reach the end of the wall as they hit the viaduct, (the best bit). At this point, cadets bend their knees and as they jump backwards, extend their arm to allow themselves to lower down the abseil rope and avoid a collision with the bridge. As the cadets reach the bottom, the next challenge is to land on two feet. Once this is accomplished the cadet is unattached from the two ropes and sent to the top of the bridge to enable another cadet to have a go.
Some of the cadets had the following to say about their experience on Exercise Itchyfoot:
Cadet Sergeant M – “Ex Itchyfoot was a great experience that took me out of my comfort zone. I encourage all cadets to attend at least once in their cadet career!”
Cadet Lance Corporal C – “Itchyfoot was a lot of fun. I got to meet some great people as well as do some new and exciting activities would definitely recommend.”
Cadet Lance Corporal F – “Although this was my second time doing itchyfoot, I really enjoyed this one, as I met many new people I didn’t think I would usually talk to but really enjoyed the company and friendships I formed with them. As well as that we done many exciting activities once again. I would definitely recommend all cadets to try at least once as it is an amazing experience and opportunity to make new friends and increase your confidence.”
