April hails the start of the Duke of Edinburgh expedition season.
This year the hail seems more literal. April usually brings an assortment of weather with sunshine and showers. But this year seems to have brought more sunshine and snow. Lambing snows might be a slight underestimation.
“Have you checked the weather forecast?” my usual question for the 15 year old students excited about getting out camping as the start of their D of E journey. With shorts and t-shirt weather the previous week I could foresee a few students being rather underprepared. Minus 4 was warned by one weather provider and I knew it would feel that cold in the wind.
Making sure I check the extreme rating on sleeping bags and the waterproof capabilities of jackets and trousers it was time to head off to the mighty Loch Lommond to brave the conditions.
With winds blowing up to force 4 and many a cold arctic blast from the north we tried our best to stay warm and dry. April also saw me out on my first walking Duke of Edinburgh expedition of the season with the usual route including sections across the southern upland way.
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He definitely does know what he’s talking about, Trudi. Tim has been on the Outlook Adventures Scotland staff team on a good number of our Hyndland Secondary Bronze and Silver DofE expeditions. For starters the kids become confident in their navigation and campcraft skills; but more than that, a couple of days ago, Tim’s team were rucksacks off and up to the top of a wee peak in Strathyre, taking advantage of the good weather and good pace to enjoy a happy extra. Great! (What was the peak called again, Tim?) Anyhow Tim, the camping gourmet is a Hyndland pal and we look forward to having him with us on future expeds. Ciao for now, Margaret
Hyndland
It’s challenging to locate knowledgeable people on this subject, but you seem like you
know what you’re talking about! Thanks