Mud and mountains: What we did in the Lake District (From Watford Observer)

Mud and mountains: What we did in the Lake District

10:30am Thursday 3rd December 2009 in Rickmansworth News

Words by Aidan Wingfield, Year 12

Before the October half-term, a group of intrepid Year Twelve AS Geography students braved everything the Lake District’s great outdoors could throw at them. Mud-covered, soggy and cold, they could be seen scrambling over scree and ambling over arêtes in order to make their way up through the clouds to the top of Stickle Tarn.

Whilst battling the elements, and braving the wildlife (alright just spiders, mice and a few evil-eyed cows), the five day trip included visits to collect information for case studies on everything from Ribbon Lakes and Misfit Rivers to Glacial Erratics, as well as gathering data on local towns and villages.

Who would have thought that sixteen and seventeen year olds could grow to enjoy walking through freezing cold weather, giving values to the environmental impact of ordinary stone steps?!

Back at the Youth Hostel, a group of German students were particularly impressed by the quiz concocted by Mr Fry, Mrs Sach and Mrs Law, which saw the girls’ team snatch a last-minute win on a technicality.

One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, was heard to vehemently state, ‘It was a fix! We would’ve won if they hadn’t been awarded five points for best team name. Besides, awarding points on that basis is subjective and since when are quizzes subjective?!’

Endeavouring to ‘waste not, want not’ before returning home, the last day saw a three way ham-eating competition in which Mr Fry lost his crown to Alex Bastin, who downed four slices of processed ham in a record six seconds.

When asked what he thought of the trip, Mr Fry said, 'The field trip to the Lake District was very successful as it allowed pupils to see in real life the features they had been studying in the classroom. It also showed them what an amazing and varied country we live in.' Finally, a word to all those in Year Eleven: this is one reporter who would heartily recommend AS level geography!