Expedition Training

I’m just back from a four day Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award training expedition around the south side of Snowdon. Having just packed away my own kit and had a refreshing shower, it seems like ages ago, we were starting out, checking tent poles, making shopping lists and getting ready to go.

We certainly had a lucky start to the expedition, with some fantastic warm weather, light winds and great camping conditions. The team hiked from Beddgelert and we stayed at the very same campsite that Paul and I stayed at on one of our first visits to North Wales nearly 30 years ago! (although this time we couldn’t sneak off to the pub!).

I was a bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to nip up into the hills myself as it looked superb up there. Instead, I was whizzing between check points and getting various bits and bobs organised.

Navigation was at least easy and I didn’t have to worry about anyone getting lost! We had three teams out and about, so that certainly made things easier.

And at night it was almost as bright, with a lovely big moon illuminating the camps and on two nights, we watched the international space station travel overhead!

As John and I were not carrying all our kit, we could afford a few luxuries, like a proper mug for camp brews!

The journey went past Yr Arran and up the Gwynant Valley on a more overcast day.

And when we arrived in Dolwedelan, the weather finally broke and sent us to our tents for an hour while a shower passed over.

While the rest of the UK seems to be having some heavy rain, we have escaped pretty much unscathed. And things really perked up on the last day, when John’s brother gifted us a morning ‘coffee bag’.