I have passed Grinton Lodge YHA many, many times but on this occasion I was to spend the whole day there. Not knowing what to expect I turned in over the cattle grid and parked the car. Lifting up the tailgate I sat and changed from my trainers into my walking boots, slung my heavy rucksack onto my shoulder and followed the signs in to the main building. I was nervous and at the same time impressed by the organisation and equipment on display. The regulars were instantly identifiable by the emblems on their clothing, seeking out one of them I was shown through a door into the briefing room. I was steadily being overcome by man's prim evil feeling of flight or fright. shown to a row of forward facing chairs I glanced to my left and right and returned smiles with similarly terrified souls. So with confidence returning I chose to fight. As the introductions were made and briefing started so did a feeling of admiration for the guys and girls their families and supporters. Some had been members for more than twenty years and give up many hours of their time for the safety and enjoyment of others, either on the fells or underground exploring the caves and mines of the Northern Dales.

Yes, you've probably guessed by now this band of highly professional people are the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and they were looking for volunteers. Having walked and scrambled over the hills and fells for more than thirty years I felt I was well placed to offer my services. Little did I know however just how extensive a knowledge base is required to become a proficient member of the team. Within the hour we were split into small groups given several grid references and sent out onto the moor along Harkerside with note book, map and compass in bitingly cold easterly's and snow showers like needles in your face. This wasn't a leisurely walk it was full on navigation being observed and questioned on navigation your skills were constantly being scrutinised. Then with a stretch of straight up the fell side our stamina was being put to the test as well. It was evident that I was the oldest in the group so I had something to prove to them and myself, needless to say I couldn't respond to the assessors questions as we topped out, I needed all the oxygen I could get just to breath not to speak. That was the morning session and after a quick cuppa and sandwich it started all again in the afternoon and finished around 4-00PM in the briefing room. By now a smaller group of us waited in anticipation of the outcome. We were told we were in so the wet clothes and fatigue didn't matter anymore as the excitement and achievement of the day's efforts took over.

This was just a start, there is eighteen months of intensive training and assessment from now on with regular evening practical's, weekend training and exercises with the team and sometimes other emergency services. I will write up  my observations as I progress. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to join this group and amazed by how much of their own time and resources they put in. They have an amazing array of emergency equipment which in the main is donated by organisations and individuals donations, there's no regular income. So fund raising as well as rescues and training are a regular occurrence of being a member.