The Adventure Element Ltd

23/11/2025

Those warm summer rides seem like a lifetime ago! This is a snapshot from this year's Bikes Boats Boots challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice...

However, we are fast approaching the Winter Solstice (21st December), where those precious daylight hours will start growing once more.

For those looking to join next year's Bikes Boats Boots, a date has been set! With the event taking place in May, you will have plenty of time to get the sun on your back and the wheels spinning before the big day.

Find out more or sign up over on Eden Valley's page
https://www.edenvalleyhospice.org/support-us/events/bikes-boats-boots-2026/

21/11/2025

This summer, we had a fantastic team of fundraisers join us on the Jurassic Coast to raise awareness and funds for Myeloma UK.

Each year in the UK, approximately 6,200 people are diagnosed with myeloma: a scary statistic indeed. And an incredibly worthy motivation for the fundraisers who turned up to the rugged and undulating coastline, ready to bag the miles.

Chris from The Adventure Element team led the way, as this was his 'home turf', and the team trekked and trekked the many miles to the finish. Over clifftops that expose 185 million years of Earth's history and parallel to the gorgeous south coast, our team were spoilt with vistas the whole way. Chris said it was satisfying to see the blobs of orange t-shirts in the distance as they neared their goal.

In 2026, Myeloma UK fundraisers are returning for another challenge, and we cannot wait to share snapshots of where next year's challenge location will be! For now, I think we will focus on fuelling up ready for future adventures...

20/11/2025

A throwback to the last DofE expedition of the year and what a finale.

The DofE participants from Gresham's School acted phenomenally as a team, working to each other's strengths and providing tight-knit morale whilst enduring the many weather conditions that Scotland can deliver!

It truly was a pleasure to witness their determination and enthusiasm. And their efforts were even rewarded with blue skies!

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award | Gresham's School |

13/11/2025

What a joy it is to share days like this with the wonderful Action Medical Research team.

Ben and Chris headed to the South Downs to chat 2026 and beyond and recce the gorgeous route for next year's Race the Sun South Downs.

A day well spent!

| Action Medical Research Events |

07/11/2025

As the days are drawing in and temperatures are changing, it feels like a good time to reshare our blog around layering for warmth!

Layering is one of the most effective ways to stay warm in cold weather, but it can take time to learn what works best for you.

Common mistakes people make include;
- Setting off wearing too many layers and getting too hot
- Not putting their layers on soon enough when the temperature starts to drop, and losing their body heat
- Not changing out of their wet kit quick enough

Check out our blog that helps prepare our DofE participants on layering on their expedition
https://www.theadventureelement.co.uk/posts/layering-for-warmth

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

01/11/2025

The final Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition of this season has been exceptional. 2 teams from Gresham's School have walked and paddled the Great Glen in the highlands of Scotland from Fort William to Inverness.

They’ve battled tough conditions with torrential rain, high winds, and the cold. But, in a sign of true reliance and commitment, they arrived safely at the finish with huge smiles!

It’s been a true privilege to have worked with these powerful young people.

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

30/10/2025

You have your rucksack ready and packed and you are looking to get out on some training walks before the big expedition... But have you checked that your rucksack is correctly fitted??

Having a correctly fitted rucksack can seriously improve your comfort levels and your overall enjoyment whilst on a DofE expedition, as well as help avoid some of the aches and pains.

For anyone joining one of our expeditions, our instructors will help you adjust your rucksack to suit your body. However, there are adjustments you make at home to ensure the rucksack is as comfortable as possible on your back. Tune into The Adventure Element founder Ben Keen as he shares his advice.

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

Learn how to fit your rucksack correctly. Having a correctly fitted rucksack can seriously improve your comfort levels and your overall enjoyment whilst on a...

30/10/2025

Day 3 is a big one! The DofE Gold kayak team are hitting Loch Ness and will spend the final 2 days paddling its length.

What an incredible achievement and core memories made for the team.

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

28/10/2025

Yesterday was a ‘shakedown’ day for students from Gresham's School who’ve joined us in the highlands of Scotland for their DofE gold expedition.

Over the next 4 days they’ll be travelling through the Great Glen by kayak and on foot, finishing in Inverness on Friday.

If only the conditions stayed the same as yesterday. Today we are back to raining and the cold! Usual conditions for October in Scotland.

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

27/10/2025

Do you know what two letter pre-fix your stomping ground falls in?

OS maps are covered in a series of blue grid lines. These grid lines help you to pinpoint an exact location anywhere on the map.

Let us break it down...
- The lines are linked to the National Grid which provides a unique reference system, and can be applied to all OS maps of Great Britain.
- Great Britain is covered by grid squares measuring 100 kilometres across.
- Each grid square is identified by two letters (pre-fix), as shown in the attached image.

On an OS map you can spot the two letter 'pre-fix' on the legend or the corner squares of the map. Grab your local OS map to find out yours!

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

23/10/2025

If you're buying a rucksack for your DofE expedition, there are *3 things* worth considering before your purchase:

1) The size and capacity of a ruck. Is it right for what you need?
2) What features do you need on your rucksack?
3) The most important thing: The carrying system

Check out our 5 minute video on buying a rucksack that you will hopefully see you through expedition and many further adventures too! Tune into Ben and let us know what other factors you consider when choosing your rucksack.

| The Duke of Edinburgh's Award |

If you're buying a rucksack for your DofE expedition, it is worth considering these 3 things before your purchase.CHAPTERS00:00 1. 3 things to consider befor...