"I think that because course E-279 was the last four week course to be held by the Outward Bound Trust in the world, you managed to make it one of the most enjoyable school', is a quote from I took over the post of Warden at this school ' is a speech given by Roger Putnam, the warden of the Outward Bound School at Eskdale Green in the Lake District at the end of one of the most enjoyable I've ever had.

The speech marked the end a course of gruelling but very enjoyable activities such as canoeing, hiking and cross-country.

ADRIAN JARRAT and myself, went on this course during this last summer holiday and we arrived at the school with mixed thoughts ranging from 'What's it going to be like to 'Why did I come on this?' These were short lived as we soon settled down to the rugged life at the school. This life includes such delights as a run and dip every morning at 6.40 and an early to bed routine of lights out at 10 o'clock.

In the first week we were taught most of the basics which include canoe capsize drill, how to abseil and how to choose a good campsite. Then with all these new ideas in our heads we went for a 3 day hike over Scafell and Scafell Pikes to come back to the school for a well earned sauna.

In the second week we were again taught a few basics only this time in compass and mapwork and then we were given something completely new to combat -loneliness - in the form of a SOLO expedition This was two day long and it was meant to be a test of will power more than anything else - needless to say many people couldn't keep solo so unfortunately this part of the course failed.