Posted: 22/04/16
Students complete mountainous task
BTEC Diploma Public Services students and tutors have returned from an expedition training session in the Peak District.
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Students camped out and carried their own food and equipment throughout the practice expedition
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The climb to Win Hill was celebrated
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The weather was a mixture of sunshine and snow in the Derbyshire Peaks
The challenge involved a two-day trek starting at Lady Bower Reservoir, venturing up Win Hill and Kinder Scout. Students camped out and cooked their own food and on day two they walked to Mam Tor and Lose Hill.
Last weekend (16-17 April) was the starting point of them getting ready for the expedition to Ben Nevis in Scotland this summer. Fitness levels and preparation skills for enduring the mountain climate were tested at a lower altitude in the Peaks.
For the main four-day expedition to Ben Nevis in June, students will be accompanied by tutors and Louisa Chambers, a Sheffield-based solicitor at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who have kindly sponsored the challenge. The party will travel on day one and will ascend Ben Nevis on day two.
In the lead up to the summer venture, students will continue to work on their fitness levels as well as get involved in fundraising initiatives to raise cash to further boost the £1,000 sponsorship by Irwin Mitchell.
The solicitors have backed a number of charities and companies over the last few years and is keen to support West Nottinghamshire College’s mission to reach the Scottish summit.
Eighteen-year-old Jack Stout was one of the students who completed the practice expedition. He said: “It was great preparation for the Ben Nevis expedition. We were challenged from the start, climbing up a very steep track to the summit on Win Hill.
“Dealing with the changing weather was also great experience which I’m now better prepared for. The training was also an excellent opportunity for all the team to get to know each other and a lot of fun.
“The hardest part was camping in the cold and wet conditions, the tent was frozen when we woke up in the morning! It was a tough experience but just what I needed to prepare me for wild camping on the mountain.”
Miss Chambers said: “Irwin Mitchell is really excited to be involved in the Ben Nevis Challenge with the students at West Nottinghamshire College.
“In keeping with our commitment to support charities through our Don’t Quit Do It campaign, supporting disability sport, those undertaking the challenge will be fundraising for Walking With The Wounded, a phenomenal charity which provides vulnerable veterans of the Armed Forces with independence through employment.
“It’s fair to say it will be a very different experience to my usual day in the office, but I am training in earnest to ensure I can keep up the pace!”
