Developing Leadership through Outdoor Education
Building Leadership through Outdoor Education: Lessons from the Duke of Edinburgh Award...
Learn more27 February 2016
For most people January is a time of year when it is tempting to stay indoors and hibernate. But instead our Operations Manager Kerrieanne embraced the winter conditions and took part in the Winter Fan Dance, one of the toughest endurance tests out there.
The Fan Dance is a gruelling 24km race over two sides of Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. This brutal route is also well known as part of SAS selection and covers Pen Y Fan, Jacobs Ladder and the Roman Road.
Early on Sunday 10th January Kerrieanne was up before dawn and ready to set off on the arduous challenge involving long ascents, steep inclines and ridges exposed to the elements.
As every good Mountain Leader should, Kerrieanne took on the ‘load bearing’ challenge (rather than the lightweight ‘clean fatigue’ alternative) and carried 25lbs throughout. Her rucksack met strict weight requirements and had to be filled with useful mountain safety kit including a tent, stove and spare kit.
Kerrieanne claimed first female place, completing the event in 5 hours and 1 minute!
As much as she loves being in the office it was still a joy for her to get out into the hills. She made light work of the required elements of planning, determination and mountain skills; all key skills in her role as Operations Manager.