Having had one day to turn around my kit after Skye,
Max and I headed off on the 22nd June to North Wales for eight days, to work for
A to Z Expeditions, who specialise in providing training and expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, across the length and breadth of the UK. Keen to tackle their Silver practice and qualifying expeditions in one intense (in tents!) 8 day burst were
Eton College, who were made up of 7 highly motivated and enthusiastic groups. Alongside Max, I was working with Simon Knight, Dave Fowler and Steve Ironside, a great bunch of fellow instructors, all of whom were keen to deliver high levels of challenge and adventure.
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| The determined 'Group 7' with Tom, Ludo, Jo, Ed, Oliver and Tom |
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| Group 7 on the summit of Moel Siabod |
The focus of the first expedition, the practice was to equip the groups with the necessary skills required to be self sufficient in the mountains, so included everything from use of stoves to basic and more advanced navigational techniques. During day 2, the weather was such as to necessitate the use of pacing and following bearings in poor viability, both skills of which the group I was with grasped quickly. I was particularly impressed with the determination and ability of 'Group 7' made up of two Toms, Jo, Ludo, Ed and Oliver. On day three of the practice expedition, we headed up the West Ridge of Moel Siabod, which provided some easy scrambling and great views in the adjacent cwm, which clearly showed signs of glaciation.
The following day allowed groups to relax, replenish energy supplies and reset all their kit before setting out again, for what was to be some fantastic three day qualifying expeditions. The groups I was supervising started at Llyn Gywnant, before tackling Snowdon via the back of Cwm Tregalan, talk about being thrown in the deep end! In order to meet our respective groups, Dave and I enjoyed a quick scramble over Crib Goch, and having eventually met all the groups, (who were in varying states of euphoria and appreciation for what they had just completed), we descended down the Parson's Nose, whilst the groups made their ways down either the Pyg Track or alongside the railway.
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| Group 1 successfully on the summit of Snowdon 1085m |
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| Group 2, just as successful, on the summit of Snowdon |
Day two saw my two groups crossing over from The Pass of Llanberis, via the spectacular Devil's Kitchen into the Ogwen Valley, before camping at the head of Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir, a great little site, nestled in amongst hillocks and small rocky outcrops. The final day saw both groups finishing their qualifying expeditions in good adventurous style, taking in the Carneddau before finally descending to Aber Falls and onto Abergwyngregyn. Throughout the three days, both groups showed nothing but determination and a thorough understanding of what it is to be self-sufficient in the mountains. Well done to all the Eton College groups who all rose to the many challenges, I look forward to working with them again next year!
