The logbook recorded the distance. My body recorded the dignity. Each metric was neat, tidy, and impersonal but behind every number was a heartbeat, a hesitation, a choice.
On the hill, the terrain didn’t care about my independence. The moorland test was simple.
“Could I navigate solo”?
I wanted the answer to be yes. But after the third stumble, the trainer paused. He looked at me, then at the map, then back again.
The view from Symons Yat Rock
To a fully sighted person the picture will be in colour with no blurs. For me, in full sunlight I have no peripheral elements. Not even the black blurred parts. Just enough vision to pick a map and compass up to navigate.
Where the problems start is with the ground and drops.
“Yes solo, with help from friends” he said.
It wasn’t a verdict of weakness. It was a recognition of the unseen data the kind that doesn’t fit neatly into a spreadsheet.
The kindness economy had entered the assessment. A support system wasn’t charity it was currency. A stranger’s voice, a buddy’s presence, a shared compass. That’s what kept the ridge safe.
The numbers showed risk. The kindness showed resilience. Together, they told the real story inclusion isn’t about proving you can go it alone. It’s about proving that together, we all go further.
And that’s the lesson I carried off the moor. Sometimes the most powerful data point is the kindness that keeps you moving.
These words convey what I felt during my training. They also portray my feelings during the assessment for the The British Mountaineering Council, Mountain Training Qualifications. I hold the certificates with joy. I am grateful to the people that were there on that Moor in storm Bert!
My next steps as a blind person are clear. I wish to help grow the number of people who desire to go back into a moor. They can experience the amazing feeling of being part of an inclusive community. Making the Countryside suitable for all.
Call to Action
Please reach out to me for more information or visit my website. I have taken holiday in May to run two courses. With some amazing offers of help from qualified and life experienced professionals.
Moor, Mountain, Grow.
Moor, Mountain, Grow is your gateway to Exmoor for anyone living with sight loss or other disabilities who wants to build real outdoor confidence.
You’ll learn practical skills, grow your independence, and take the first steps toward future training.
We supply qualified experienced trainers and guides. Experienced in inclusive adventure.
There is no extra charges for your support worker or partner. We want to encourage you to revisit the countryside for future adventures.
Ready to go further?
Tap the button and start your journey.
Course Dates – May 2026
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