Sun 01 Apr 2018
Eleven students and two members of staff set off early on Good Friday morning to Pendle in Barley, situated on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Upon arrival, they were met by their expert guide, Heather, and took part in a kit briefing. After final checks, the group set off along the road towards the Upper Ogden reservoir. After this, the first part of the ascent came. Students were briefed about the dangers of bogs, as the walk between Spence Moor, Badger Wells and on to the Ofgen Clough was full of difficult bog marshes that the group needed to navigate around. Everyone got very muddy and wet as they disappeared into the bogs!
On the ascent, the group came across a pile of stones and spent some time trying to balance progressively smaller stones on top of the impressive pile that other walkers had left. The 1,827 ft summit was reached about 5 minutes behind schedule. After a stop for lunch, students began the quick and steep descent down the hill towards Lane Head.
At this point, a few farmers' fields had to be crossed, so Heather gave the students an opportunity to practise their orienteering skills, as one student is currently working towards her Duke of Edinburgh award. Heather pointed out the Rights of Way and how they can appear in different locations to the OS maps. The route took the group back over more bogs, however, some shelter was found in the woodlands before finally walking back along the road to Barley.
Eventually, a tired group of staff and students reached the car park back in Barley, where a little stream provided a welcome opportunity to clean muddy kit before finishing with a well-earned ice cream (which came highly recommended by Mrs Fairhurst, who had been tracking the group's progress all day!).
Well done to all the students who took part; they were an absolute credit to the Academy.
