// Trip Reports  

Report name	Ousedale School Pre expedition training weekend
Date submitted	Feb-08

The team arrived on Friday evening to be greeted by their leaders, both for the weekend and their expedition to Peru in July. It was good to get the whole team together, including the staff from the school, to provide a sense of realism about the forthcoming expedition. Excited about what was ahead, the team were plunged immediately into activity with a number of ‘ice breaker’ & team building challenges in the dark. Evening meal followed this fast and furious session before settling down to a slide show about our destination during which the itinerary was confimred and the updates in the dossier were highlighted.

Saturday morning began with a whole team challenge on the low ropes course at Thornbridge. The team made the way, quickly at times and slowly at others, over the many obstacles that stood in their way, supporting each as they went. It was good to see the team really working together to achieve the set task. A successful completion of the low ropes coures led us to the ‘cargo net climb’ and ‘sky ropes’. Equipped now with a climbing harness and helmet, the team was split into two groups, with both groups experiencing both challenges. In turn, each member of the team successfully made they way either around the ‘sky ropes’ or up & down the ‘cargo net climb’. A great morning was had by all, with good weather on our side.

Following lunch, it was time to cover the following topics in great detail: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), Altitude & Acclimatisation; Equipment Requirements for the expedition; Health & Hygiene and; Fitness. The discussions were well received by all, with the AMS subject matter really grabbing their attention. To conclude this session, the team were divided in the smaller teams of 3 to complete the orienteering course located around the grounds of Thornbridge in the dark. All returned safe and sound, some quicker than others!

Following our evening meal prepared by the team, it was time for us all to sit down and decided on a ‘Code of Conduct’ that we, as a team, would adher to throughout the expedition in Peru. After some discussion, our ‘Code of Conduct’ was complete. It had been a long day with many experiences gained and a lot of information put across.

Sunday saw us getting out into the Peak District. The weather was on our side again today although very cold initially with a frost on the ground, the sun was out and skies were blue. As the day unfolded, it became T-shirt weather as we walked along Stanage Edge from Moscar Lodge on the A57 to Upper Burbage Bridge.

A good weekend appeared to be had by all, with the team coming together very well to work as either one unit, or smaller units where necessary which can only be a reflection of the team members understanding of what is required for success to be achieved. Here’s to a successful expedition in Peru in July 2008.

Paul Donovan and Alex Ekins (expedition leaders)