Writes Lauren Green, Assistant Lower Master
Last weekend, an intrepid group of hopeful explorers and humanitarians took to the Chiltern Hills to test their equipment before their expedition to Nepal later this year. The weekend began in beaming sunshine, casting a golden hue over the hilltops as the students built their tents for the night.
After, a short trek ensued, led by Tim Gouge, our True Adventure Team Leader. Teachers Miss Green, Mr Hilton-Dennis and Mrs Hazan were deployed on covert scenarios to test the survival skills of the students, with Miss Green getting lost (albeit, conveniently with her Kindle), Mrs Hazan feigning severe altitude sickness and Mr Hilton-Dennis accidentally fracturing his leg – so badly, that he could not walk another step and had to be carried. The performances were undoubtedly award winning. Then, the students practiced with the group equipment, before cooking a hearty dinner and brainstorming fundraising activities for the summer.
The night was a cold one, with a tapestry of twinkling stars suspended above the campsite and a crisp frost underfoot. Despite the challenging temperatures, all the boys showed tenacity and character, and met the following day a minute ahead of schedule at 07.59 to commence breakfast for all, including the lucky teachers, who did not have to cook.
The weekend ended on a high, tinged with palpable excitement for the trip of a lifetime in July. Thanks to all the teachers involved for organising the event.
