A group from 2nd Ahoghill Company Section completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze qualifying expedition after two days spent in the north Antrim Hills.
The expedition began on Thursday morning as the boys were dropped off along the Cushleake Road, roughly 2km outside of Cushendun.
They headed 4km north-west towards Ballypatrick Forest, documenting the fauna species on the moorland as they went, before entering the forest at Corratavey Bridge. The group navigated their way through the network of tracks to an exit at the north-east corner of the forest, before continuing to their campsite in Water Top Open Farm.
After setting up camp and cooking dinner, the boys were visited by DofE Assessor Malcolm McFadden. He checked how the first day of their expedition had gone and tested their knowledge of navigation and first aid, before leaving them to enjoy the rest of their time in camp.
Day 2
After preparing breakfast and packing up camp, the boys set off back through Ballypatrick forest. This time exiting at the north-west corner. The group then made its way west across the heather and onto the B15 at Glenshesk Bridge.
Unfortunately one of the boys could no longer continue due to an ankle problem, that had caused the group to fall behind schedule. At this point, the assessor intervened to adjust the route.
Instead of climbing Knocklayd as originally planned the remainder of the group followed the Drumavoley Road to the south-east corner of Ballycastle Forest to rendezvous with the leaders. From here the boys rejoined their original route, as they descended into Ballycastle to finish their expedition in Fairhill Street carpark.
This brings the boys one step closer to achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, with the group still having to deliver their presentation for their aim – to better understand the flora and fauna species of the Antrim Hills.
Many thanks to Malcolm McFadden for his time and assistance during the expedition.
