Their story, in their words…
Over three days, our team completed a section of the South Downs Way from Amberley to Birling Gap whilst carrying all our camping equipment, food, and supplies. Each of us managed heavy backpacks including our tent, sleeping bags, food and water. Because our tent was particularly heavy and took up a large amount of space, we rotated the bags making sure to keep the weight fair between us. As a group, we planned our route, mapped out our campsites, and ensured that we were fully equipped with everything we needed to be prepared and stay safe.
Overall, the project was a success because we had completed the route safely and achieved the goal we had set for ourselves. It was harder than we had ever expected because of the heat, the incline up steep terrain, and the weight of our bags, but we kept each other motivated and managed to complete the route. Seeing the views along the route and the destination made all the effort feel worth it.
This experience was a unique one for all of us and pushed us way out of our comfort zone, giving us a real sense of accomplishment by the end of the journey. We were all proud of ourselves and each other for completing such a challenge that required consistent resilience, determination, and teamwork. It gave us all a perspective on how collective planning and preparation can make a massive difference when participating in such demanding activities.
More than hiking experience, we gained confidence in ourselves that we are more than able to cope with difficult situations if we approach things with a positive approach and stay determined. We also improved navigation skills, becoming more organised and realising just how important teamwork is. It was an experience that left us all with memories and skills that will stick with us for our future endeavours.
