Honiton student’s prepare for mountain challenge

Honiton Community College students get into training for their Indian adventure.

STUDENTS from Honiton Community College were put through their paces in preparation for a trip to India.

Charlotte Bolton, Lydia Boland, Lara Drake, Sophie Lavis, Frederica Lemon, Sophie Pike, Hazel Wilkinson and Rory Norrington took part in a training weekend at Symonds Yat in preparation for their climb up the Himalayas, near Manali in Northern India, next year.

During the weekend, the students were able to practise their rope ascents and descents, as well as their shelter building skills.

An important aspect of their training was learning how to cope with high altitude medical issues as they will be climbing nearly 4,500 metres without the use of oxygen.

They also familiarised themselves with safety equipment and built on camp craft, team working and food preparation skills.

All the students say they are looking forward to the challenge and have been busy fund-raising to pay for the trip.

Lydia Boland said: “I will miss hot showers and electricity.

“The trip will teach me how to live without the things we take for granted.”

Charlotte Bolton said she is looking forward to meeting new people and having an awesome time in India, as well as trying to cook Indian food.

Fellow student Hazel Wilkinson added: “I’m scared, but scared in a good way, of being in a whole new culture. Raising the money is also an area of concern.”

Rory Norrington held a fund-raising concert earlier this month in St Paul’s Church and managed to raise �270 towards the India trip.

Anyone interested in donating money to help the students reach their goal can call Iain Slade at Honiton Community College on (01404) 42283.