Gold DofE

The Gold DofE Expedition is an opportunity to achieve something truly special. How often do most of us spend 4 days going on an journey which it has taken us months or even years to prepare and train for? Unless you become a mountaineer, rock climber or explorer in later life this is likely to be the most challenging and rewarding outdoor experience of your life.

Also, at Gold level there is the opportunity to complete your journey over seas with either a group from your school or make new friends by joining an Open Gold Expedition.

Overview

A Gold Dofe Expedition with Indie Outdoors can take place either in an area of the UK classified as wild country or an appropriate area overseas. We use a beautiful area of the eastern Pyrenees near Mt Canigou and the Portes du Soleil region of the French Alps as bases for Gold DofE overseas expeditions.

On an overseas expedition it is normal for everyone to meet just once and carry out the entire training, practice and qualifying expedition in over a two week period. This is also possible in the UK and often makes sense for Open Gold Expeditions where the participants may not be from the same area or have the same cirumstances thus making it more difficult for them to arrange to meet multiple times.

Otherwise it is perfectly possible to meet two or even three times - once for training, once for practice and once for qualifying.

Pre-Exped Training

More advanced topics will be included in your training now that you will be travelling in a wild area where you will need certain skills to keep you safe and comfortable hours from any help.

Your training period may be combined with an acclimatisation day or you may do your pre-exped training first then have an acclimatisation day the day before your practice and qualifying expeditions.

Equipment - choosing the right equipment and knowing how to use it is now even more important. You will also need to know how to care for your equipment to prevent deterioration over four days.

Campcraft - One night of your camp will be wild camping- not at a campsite. You will need to learn several new skills to cope with this situation including choosing a camp site and making arrangements for water.

Navigation - a large amount of compass work will be included as effective use of several important compass based navigation skills will be required for successful completion of your adventure.

First aid - more focus on what to do in remote areas and how to keep injured party members warm and safe until help arrives. How to get help and how to deal with more serious injuries will also be covered.

Food and nutrition - carrying all your food for 4 days is a daunting task and every single thing you pack will have to be carefully considered on its merits.

Practice Expedition

Groups will either arrive one day before the start of the expedition to acclimatise to the environment (this is not altitude acclimatisation just getting to know an area) or spend several days doing their pre-exped training in the same area in combination with their acclimatisation.

During this time an introduction to the area is given by the lead instructor and some time is spent walking in the environment. For example in the Pyrenees a half day walk to the walled medieval town of Villefranche gives a good feel for the terrain and walking conditions in the Pyrenees.

Intensive hands on training in navigation and compass work is given by each group's instructor during the training period and perhaps the first day of the practice expedition. After that it is important that groups are given an opportunity to spend time walking and navigating in the environment on their own.

Qualifying Expedition

This will take place either immediately after the practice expedition (with a day or two break) if overseas or normally on another occasion if in the UK. It cannot be in the immediate vicinity of the practice walk and must use a different route.