Over four days of the May Bank Holiday weekend, 21 Y12 girls embarked on their Qualifying Expedition walking from Sedbergh to Richmond in the Yorkshire Dales. Covering over 50 miles and completely crossing two Ordinance Survey maps, the girls faced four days walking through challenging territory. Some time was spent on the Dales Way, walking down Garsdale then onto the Pennine Way over Great Shunner Fell, then down Swaledale to Reeth and finally over to Richmond. Each team must be completely self-sufficient during the expedition carrying everything that they need, including their tents, food and cooking implements. The campsites ranged from a farm field by a stream shared with several sheep, to a purpose-built site with hot showers.

Many lessons had been learned after the Practice Expedition which took place over the very hot Easter weekend, and many of the girls walked this time with walking poles, wore better quality walking socks and carried more water and more dressings for blisters. The teams were very well supported by Tim Deighton, Alyn Griffiths and their team of mountain leaders for the gold training and both expeditions.

On the same weekend, four Year 13 students completed their Gold Qualifying Expedition.

Very many congratulations to all the girls who successfully completed the expedition phase of their awards.