Hello guys! I hope you're having an amazing summer!
In this video I will show you my experience in the Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition (GOLD LEVEL).
In a normal expedition you're not allowed to use your phone, infact this was just the practice expedition (the qualifying one will be in October). I hope this video will help you in understanding what DofE is like and demands of you.
Trust me when I say: IT IS HARD, but extremely rewarding. In the Gold level you'll walk for more than 20 km a day for 4/5 days. You'll be self-sufficient, meaning that you will be alone in route-planning, navigating, cooking, tent making etc.
MAIN TIPS AND ADVICE:
- Sleeping in a tent is unusual at first, and your back might hurt, but it will get better (buy a 3 season sleeping back and an inflatable mat - England gets cold at night)
- Bring wet wipes and tissues
- Don't bring too many clothes, you won't need them and they'll take a lot of space (NOTHING MADE OF COTTON)
- Plan your meals and be sure to bring enough food (you'll burn 3000 calories a day approximately)
- Bring a carbon fibre towel and decide in your group who will bring soap and toothpaste (you won't need more than one in your group)
- Buy dry bags to keep your clothes dry and separate them from the ones that may get wet
- In the morning you'll have to get ready in no more than 1 hour and 15 minutes: get dressed, pack your tent, cook, eat, brush your teeth and start walking!
- Work as a GROUP: one member may be better at doing one thing and another member may do something else better. Share tasks between you and work efficiently.
- Don't underestimate the difficulty of DofE: there are MANY ways in which your group can fail, therefore, RESPECT THE RULES.
- CLOTHING: bring at least one pair of long socks for each day, underwear, maximum two long trousers (don't bring short ones), 1 short and 1 long sleeve shirts (look for thermal ones), 1 jumper/fleece top, nightwear (I wore leggings and a thin jumper), hat/sunhat, gloves, neck scarf, WATERPROOF OVER-TROUSERS AND JACKET.
- FOOD: bring many snacks (protein bars, nuts, dry fruit), porridge for breakfast is amazing, if you don't like porridge you can have tortillas with jam/honey. For lunch we always kept a cold meal (you won't have time to cook): tortillas with feta and jam, or with chorizo. Keep a warm meal for dinner: pasta with sauce, noodles. BRING SOME TEA TO WARM UP :)
Here is a link that can help you with the choice of meals: https://www.bxmoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BXM-Food-Advice-2018.pdf
- Don't give up
- But most of all... HAVE FUN!!!