30th June / 6th July - ML Training week

Summer Mountain Leader training at Dallam; how long has it taken me to get off my ass and do this? Far too long, but better late than never... A good bunch in the main, Andy, Big Andy, Liz, Reese, Stephen, and our instructors Ian and Robin.

Day One was given over to Navigation around Low Torver Common in heavy rain followed by classroom based work on navigation and weather. A good day, getting to know each other, but hard work in the persistent, heavy rain with more due over the rest of the week.

Day Two and more heavy rain. Up to Coniston and the Walna Scar car park where we split into two groups for a day of leadership and more navigation. From the moment we left the path, just west of Boo Tarn, we were in, at best 50m visibility as well as heavy drizzle or rain. Taking it in turns to lead the group, navigate and providing a commentary on local flora and fauna made for an interesting day; luckily I stumbled across a skylark's nest with hatchlings during my spell in front, so brownie points for that (luck rather than judgement though!). A short lunch break and haul up and over the summit, followed by a descent from Goats Hause and the Walna Scar track saw us back at the bus, drying off and getting ready for tea and buns before an evening session looking at the legalities of Mountain Leadership.

A day in the clouds...

Coniston Old Man - some view!

Day Three and after a quick briefing we piled into the bus and drove over to the Kirkstone Pass for a few hours looking at security on steep ground, protecting each other manually and with ropes. The last part of the session was given over to abseiling using just ropes; a new South African technique made for the easiest and most pain-free method I've yet come across. Back to Dallam for a brew then out again to the hill above the village and improvised carries and stretchers rounded off the outdoors work for the day. More classroom work (First Aid, sourcing information, planning, etc.) and we were done - a good day with plenty of learning points.

Day Four and it was still hissing down! We were on the hunt for a stream to cross of course and it was so frustrating to find that everything was steaming, well on the way to bankfull levels, and there I am on the hill instead of in my kayak! Needless to say there was more rain and a real struggle to find a river low enough to play in. We eventually ended up out in the Dales in Bardondale where we got thoroughly wet crossing a small beck in a variety of ways. Don't heavy willow poles come in handy? And how common they are out in the hills...! Back at Dallam, after drying off and another brew and buns session, we sorted who / what and why we were packing to take on the overnight expedition planned for the following day. Much amusement at my Wendy tent / Telegraph sleeping mat / cooking arrangement suggestions; all worked well though and I ended up carrying my own kit and going solo... Interesting discussion about food and nutrition; Big Andy volunteered to carry the wine box!

Day Five and the dreaded expedition and night navigation exercise. Our group drove over to Gatesgarth Farm and, after putting waterproofs on in the car park (yes, it was still tipping down), headed up into Burtness Combe and the NW ridge onto High Stile. Plenty of practise on steep, broken ground and all taking our turn in front, navigating and route finding in cloud with occasional breaks and views into Buttermere; this was probably the most enjoyable day so far. Still in cloud as we made the top of High Stile, we followed the ridge, easy walking to High Crag and the steep drop to Scarth Gap. Liz was having problems with her knees so we took a ten minute break here before gong back up the hill and over Haystacks. The weather began to clear and, for the first time, we were walking with decent visibility. Just as well as we worked our way around Blackbeck Tarn and on to our campsite at Great Round How where my pack was quickly dumped and a brew going while the tent went up and overnight gear sorted. Both groups were camping in the same area and, once we had been "inspected" by the intructors, a sociable evening was had, set off by a spectacular sunset and Robins harmonica playing. A good feed on veggy cous cous and fresh brewed coffee and an early night set me up for the midnight call and night nav. exercise.

Big Andy and Liz get a brew on, Great Round How

Sunset over the Buttermere Fells

Night nav. was all we'd been led to believe; wandering around in circles, in the rain, cross country with random instructions as to where to head next. Typically legs were 200 - 300 metres long, involved crossing some heinous terrain and we were put under quite a bit of pressure to ensure pinpoint navigation. Often each leg would need to be broken into two or three shorter stages and each had to be fully described - bearing, distance, number of paces and timing - to the instructors. After about two hours we rebelled and headed back to the shelter of our tents and sleep; a testing but enjoyable session.

Our Expedition; good route, pity about the weather!

Day Six, second day of the expedition and last day of the course. Away by 9 and straight into drizzle and limited visbility in thick cloud. More navigation and leadership work, including giving some TLC to a near hyperthermic straggler from the Cambridge University boat-race squad "Hare and Hounds" event, but eventually we topped Brandreth and Grey Knotts, zig-zagging our way along the ridge and finally, in clearing weather, down to the top of Honister Pass where the other group were waiting in the minibus to take us back to Heversham.

A group debrief over tea and cakes, then one-to-ones with the instructors brought the course to an end. For me, the recommendation to go for assessment at the first opportunity was pleasing, but more so was the fact that it had been such an enjoyable week, good people, good craic and a lot taken on board.