Their story, in their words…
For our Mark Evison project, our team tackled a six-day trek through the Lake District. Armed with OS maps, zero adult supervision, and enough ready made meals to survive a small apocalypse, we set off from Pooley Bridge and pushed all the way to Glenridding.Along the way, we conquered some unreal peaks, including Place Fell and Birkhouse Moor.
On paper, the route looked manageable. In reality? The weather had other plans. We were thrown straight into relentless rain and howling winds, which turned simple tasks into complete chaos. Trying to navigate using paper OS maps in a downpour is an extreme sport, and keeping a campfire going long enough to cook dinner while horrid rain is trying to drown it requires serious patience. Add to that backpacks that felt like they weighed 50kg, and we quickly realised this was not going to be a casual walk in the park.
It was a complete rollercoaster. Pushing up steep, endless inclines where the summit is completely hidden by fog is brutally demotivating. The physical toll was massive, but the mental game was what really took us by surprise-keeping your brain locked in during an 8-hour trek through miserable weather is tough. But the second we hit a peak and the clouds broke to reveal those views? Every ounce of exhaustion vanished. That instant high of standing at the top made every single gruelling step worth it.
None of us had ever attempted anything like this before. The core memory of pushing past our perceived limits together was the real reward. This expedition did not just test us; it proved that we’re capable of stepping up, solving problems on the fly, and taking full responsibility for ourselves. We’re walking away with a huge boost in confidence to take on whatever crazy ambitions we tackle next. Massive thanks to the Mark Evison Foundation for visiting our school and trusting us with this opportunity.
