Having returned from a Silver DofE assessed expedition on Thursday, I started working with Oswestry School on their Silver Training and Practice package on Friday. The vast majority of those involved had done their Bronze expeditions last year, and a fair number have done a lot in the hills and mountains in the meantime. In fact some have recently returned from a week in the Scottish Highlands as part of a build up for a trip to the Alps in the Summer. As a result, we just used Friday as intensive training, using the local countryside out the back of school before heading out on their practice expedition for Saturday through to today.
By the time all the kit was checked and packed, route cards prepared for the first day and we’d travelled out to the Berwyns, it was about lunchtime. Taking pity on them, we decided to drop them at a fairly high level, leaving them to make their way down into the valley campsite at Carrog Station. Although we’re all aware of the snow that we had a few weeks ago, we we weren’t expecting to have to reverse 2km back down a single track access road, with a steep drop down one side, because of the way being blocked by a snow drift. Although we had issues getting the vehicles back down, the walking groups managed fine and made good time, giving themselves plenty of daylight to sort themselves out at the campsite.
Sunday proved to be a hard day for the groups. The climb up Llantysilio Mountain was always going to be strenuous with expedition rucksacks on, but the weather conditions made in much more demanding. Heavy rain and a driving wind made it hard going and reduced the visibility significantly. It also had differing effects on the two walking groups. It encouraged one to put their heads down and push on through as quickly as they could, while the other group allowed it to slow them down significantly. By the time they all arrived at their second camp site, at the ruined Abbey in Llangollen, the sun was back out providing the opportunity to dry kit out again.
Today, the last day of their practice, had them picking their way past the castle ruins at Dinas Bran and on to the aqueduct at Froncysyllte. It seems that a few things have changed since the maps were printed, causing a few navigational headaches, but both groups managed to adapt their routes successfully to negotiate these quirks without any major drama.
Well done to everyone on a successful couple of days.
