Snowed In

Photo: Student Darren Tharme digging in for the night of snow holing.
 
The recent Dorset snow storms provided plenty of preparation for eleven Kingston Maurward students to spend a night in a ten foot snow hole on the side of Ben Nevis in Scotland.
 
The students, who are studying a two year Foundation Degree in Outdoor Adventure Management and hoping to pursue careers in the outdoor industry, walked and ice climbed up to the summit of Ben Nevis to learn more about survival techniques.
 
The annual expedition, a key part of the Foundation Degree course, gave students time to improve their navigation skills and learn how to use essential equipment before they bravely dug their own snow holes under the expert tuition of a mountain guide and Kingston Maurward College instructors.
 
Second year student Sim Davies said: "It was a totally fantastic week, hard work, but really worth it. I enjoyed learning how to use ice axes and it took while to get used to walking in crampons, but the highlight had to be spending the night in the snow hole".
 
"It was actually quite cosy in the surprisingly warm dug outs so we knew we had achieved the challenge. We learnt important lessons about avoiding avalanches and how to survive if stranded in the mountains in the winter."
 
Academy of Outdoor Adventure and Sports Coaching Manager, Anthony Ray said: "The students found it a really enjoyable and informative week. They worked really hard and greatly improved their skills by being out on the hill and experiencing what it means to explore and survive in tough winter conditions. They will be able to use this valuable experience when training to be mountain instructors and working in the outdoor industry."
 
The Foundation Degree in Outdoor Management is run in conjunction with Bournemouth University and offers the combination of an academic course with a large amount of practical content. The degree covers the foundations of business management, land and water based leadership, marketing and the importance of the environment.
 
This year´s students have another two months of studying to complete before they graduate and embark on their careers in the outdoor industry. Graduates of the course could expect to develop a career in teaching Outdoor Education, Event Management, Ecology and the environment and many other aspects of the Outdoor Industry."
 
Kingston Maurward runs a variety of other sports and outdoor courses for all ages and abilities. The Academy prides itself on providing work placement opportunities and plenty of residential courses where students can really practice their skills.
 
Anyone interested in a future career in Outdoor Education are encouraged to get in touch to chat with the College about their learning requirements. For further information and a list of courses contact Outdoor Adventure and Sports Coaching Academy Head David Mellor, 01305 215100 or visit www.kmc.ac.uk
 

Photo: Foundation Degree Year 2 Students ridge walking on Stob Bann.
 
Notes for Editors:
 
Anthony Ray Centre Manager was an instructor on this course. Please contact him for more information on other course events at the College and opportunities to get involved our outdoor activities days. Anthony.ray@kmc.ac.uk Tel: 01305 215070
 
For further information, please contact Jeannie Lunn, Marketing and Communications Manager. Tel: 01305 215035 or email jeannie.lunn@kmc.ac.uk