Introduction The routes that the cadets were going to take had been chosen primarily as it was a known winter ski area. They were areas of outstanding natural beauty with some rigorous climbs and many challenges. Previously there had been a reconnaissance trip in May 2015 to identify the routes and meet local Park Rangers to identify an adequate challenge and confirm the medical safety plan and contribute to all risk assessments and escape routes. The routes were covering the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Tahoe Rim Trails (TRT.) According to local literature, these trails are still being lengthened by volunteers. The PCT is due for completion this year. It was started in 1932 and will, on completion, stretch from Canada to Mexico. The PCT and TRT are mostly set in the Desolation Wilderness and Tahoe Basin. The Desolation Wilderness has sub alpine forests, glacial lakes, valleys and granite peaks. Day hikers and overnight users had to obtain permits before walking in these areas.
Expedition Training - Day One Wednesday 15th July. Arrival at basecamp, South Lake Tahoe, California. The cadets main priority was acquiring more navigation skills and acclimatisation to the environment. Lake Tahoe and its surrounding walks also relating map features to real physical features on the ground. The altitude in Lake Tahoe can also be between 7000 and 9400 feet.
The acclimatisation walk took four hours at Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls at an altitude of 6950 Feet. The cadets undertook micro navigation, time distance and speed calculations – the maps provided by the local Ranger station had grid squares in km, distances were printed in miles and the cadets had to convert into approximate times taken to cover distances and take into account elevations. Only the major routes were given mileage distances, none of the cadet routes were calculated, this was done by themselves. The cadets also had to practice bear bagging. A procedure where food supplies are hung up and between trees to prevent the attraction of wild brown bears which are a native species of the area. Other animals were also foraging in these wild areas.
Day Two, Thursday 16th July There was a more prolonged practice walk at a higher altitude. The cadets took another four hour walk in the area of Armstrong Pass in the Tahoe Basin at an elevation of 8740 feet. They reconnoitred the route where the pick-up point was going to be at the end of their trek. This proved difficult as the maps were incorrectly marked. In a micro navigation exercise, in one instance it was found that the marked routes at Armstrong Pass was one mile out from the reality on the ground. This further aided the future extraction plans.
Day Three, Friday 17th July The cadets, under some supervision, finalised and documented their meal planning and purchased their supplies. Their kit bags were packed and checked. Route cards were finalised and copied to the assessor. All rucksacks were checked for weight and water carriage packs were secured. The weight was important as it is a rule that the total weight the cadets carry must be no more than 25% of their body mass. All cadets were ready to go.
Day Four, Saturday 18th July Final Safety brief covering all aspects of the DofE course, the 20 conditions, evacuation plans, medical plans and all staff were briefed on daily dynamic risk assessments, severe weather conditions and forest fires. There was also training by a Fire Service manager on the correct use of pressurised MSR cookers.
Departure time from the main camp was 13:00 hrs to their pre exped drop off point and pre camp at Emerald Bay on the West Side of South Lake Tahoe. The group’s route, overall was from the West, through to the South of Lake Tahoe and over to the East. A combined distance of around 45 miles to be undertaken over a four day journey.
The Expedition - Day Five, Sunday 19th July, GOLD DAY ONE The cadets woke at 06:30hrs. There were clear skies and the forecast temperatures were 85F. They departed Eagle Lake unaccompanied. The day’s route was to take them up to Dicks Pass with a climb to 9400 feet from a start at 6950 feet over a distance of 6 miles. They also went past the Velma Lakes, a group of three small lakes bordering the Desolation Wilderness area. The phone signal was still maintained in this area which allowed the staff to contact the OIC.
After lunch there was a descent to Gilmore Lake. On route the group were soaked by a downpour of rain and hail stones, and possible thunderstorms were forecast all along the route. This was the first introduction to California thunder and lightning. There was only a one or two second gap between the lightning and the following thunderclap. None of the cadets had ever experienced such a close proximity to a storm at such a high altitude in a heavily wooded area, but had been trained on how to deal with such weather conditions. They reached Gilmore Lake in good time according to their original route cards. During this time, two of the cadets tented up and another two sought shelter close by. The two in the tent then had to cope with a very muddy tent for the remainder of their trek. After sunset coyotes could be heard… but not seen.
Day Six, Monday 20th July - GOLD DAY TWO Breakfast at Gilmore Lake followed by a tidy. There were clear skies with a chill in the air. The bear bagging had been successful, no bear trails were spotted. The cadets walked from Gilmore Lake to Echo Summit. A general drop in elevation from 8310 to 8782 to as low as 7414 and then back up to Echo Summit at 7377 feet with an overall distance of about 13 miles. They passed four lakes and some of the most empty and picturesque areas of Desolation Wilderness. The cadets were met for a water stop by the assessor and administration support staff. The group made very good time across this barren land in temperatures of about 80F. They made good use of an out-of-season lodge for some shelter that evening. They recorded seeing an eagle in flight and a green hummingbird no more than six feet from them.
Day Seven, Tuesday 21st July - GOLD DAY THREE The cadets left Echo Summit to Big Meadow Campsite, the hardest and longest day of the trek. This part of the PCT was covered by each group on different days. It allowed for static remote supervision and a possible, well known escape route if required. It was the most difficult part of the route as the climb from Echo Summit at 7377 feet to Brian Meadow at 8510 took two hours with a distance of 2.4 miles, which continued up to 8950 feet on the PCT. They then dropped down to Showers Lake for lunch and to take on water. All cadets were issued with sterilising tablets, and some had water filters. They continued to a PCT TRT junction (8400 feet) past Round Lake, during this time there were severe thunder and lightning storms directly above. Fork lightning was seen striking the meadows within their area. The wet weather continued to 19:30 hrs and changed, providing a great sunset for reflection on the day’s hard work. At this stage, they were met by their supervisor and assessor and they said how mentally and physically demanding that days trek had been. An early night’s sleep was had by all. Tomorrow was the final day.
Day Eight, Wednesday 22nd July - GOLD DAY FOUR Day Eight was from Big Meadow (7250 feet) to Armstrong Pass (8740 feet). The overall distance covered was about 10 miles. The cadets were walking better with lightened packs and had built up further resistance to the various gruels of the routes, the weather and their fatigue. Soon after leaving Big Meadow, they went through an area which was smouldering and charred. There was a smell of toasted pine cones in the air. There had clearly been a recent forest fire. The dangers of unprotected fires are real in the Desolation Wilderness. The group’s presentation topic was to be on “Forest Fires.” They were able to document and experience the conditions so soon after one had occurred. Experience beats a textbook every day. The group completed the expedition on schedule and the pick was on time. After descending Armstrong Pass to the correct pick up point, where they met their supervisor and assessor for the final time on their route.
Post expedition. Day Nine, Thursday 23rd July - PRESENTATION DAYThe group used their first morning to create a Power Point presentation shown to the rest of the staff and cadets in the afternoon. This was an opportunity for them to reflect on their expedition challenges and the mental and physical demands of the terrain. They assessed their own performances as a team and their own individual contributions, considering menu planning, water management, their daily deployment times.
