Last week saw Year 10 setting off for their 2 night, 3 day desert adventure, two hours north of Khartoum near Shendi.   Students split themselves into two groups; ‘speedy’ and ‘admiring the scenery’.  After re-familiarising themselves with map, compass, GPS and basic navigation techniques, each group set off across the wadi to the first checkpoint. 

A cool breeze kept us from over heating and camp was reached in good time, allowing plenty of opportunities for jebel climbing and rock scrambling in the afternoon and early evening.    That night we had a beautifully bright moon to watch the bats flitting between the jebels.
The next morning saw most of the girls up and ready very early on, encouraging Mr. Luke to drink his tea as fast as possible so that they could get going on their trek and avoid the heat of the day.  The walked together well, singing as they went and struck camp before midday.
The boys were slightly slower in getting organized, eventually leaving camp over an hour after the girls but setting a good pace between the checkpoints and reaching the final camp not long after midday. 

After a much needed siesta in the shade we played some team games and completed trust activities before the students practiced working cooperatively to produce their evening meal.
The next morning the group trekked up and over the final jebel before heading to the Coca Cola Café for a much needed fatour and cold drink.
Thank you to all the administration staff, drivers and guards who enabled the trip to run so smoothly.

Izzy Bartley
Outdoor Education Coordinator.