QMHS DofE: Expedition 1 - Silver & Gold Training and Silver Practice

Berwyn Mountains 2019

This year we have 54 students that have selected to make the jump to the silver award, 2 6th former's wanting to make the move on gold and a year 11 student wanting to get her silver award. So with our students on practice we had a large group of 68 girls and 1 young man, Gurdit, on expedition. Coupled with this great number of young minds ready for a challenge we had the remnants of storm Hannah to deal with.

Day 1 - Saturday

The teams left school around 8.30am on that to be very wet Saturday morning and arrived in Llangynog at around 10.15am. We kitted up and met with our instructors and set off on our amended routes to take account of the wind and rain coming from the west.

Getting on the path leaving Llangynog

Chris's team and Gurdit :-) Look at the Bluebells

Lunchtime in the trees amongst the Bluebells

Considering the conditions the students on training did extremely well. They showed true determination and resilience. These qualities will serve them well in the future I am sure. Below are a few photos of the approach to camp 1 at the waterfalls. Pistyll Rhaeadr.

Camp 1 - Early Sunday morning - It had stopped raining!

Saturday and Saturday evening was a wet day and the girls and Gurdit coped incredibly well. It would be unfair not to mention some unsung heroes and that is the staff that helped the teams along and helped them organise a set up in the wet and the getting of a hot meal into them before bed. One person went above and beyond and to that we and the girls are truly thankful. The majestic place of this camp at the waterfalls is run by Phill and his family. They keep the spot just perfect and he was a great asset to the team on Saturday evening and we all appreciated his hospitality. Thanks again Phill.

Our Silver practice team ended up here quite late on Sunday night. They were doing the training expedition in reverse. Here are some photos of the year 11's who also did a fantastic job on their practice expedition.

Teamwork :-)

The waterfalls in spate

Day 2 - Sunday

Sunday was a calm day, with some broken cloud and a cloud base well clear of the summits, it meant the walk for all teams across the Berwyn range would give some amazing views and experiences for the teams involved.

Here the teams were able to learn more about map and compass skills and movement on terrain that they did not meet at the bronze level. Students were also able to work on their team skills and what if scenarios for the first aid part of the expedition module. Unfortunately 2 teams had to put escape routes into action and work as a team due to an unexplained ankle injury.

Teams off track using the map, contours and compass to get onto the Berwyn ridge.

What a view for lunch

Moel Sych 927m

Llyn Lunclaws

Cadair Berwyn 827m

Some teams headed further on from this summit but most made a descent to the west from to reach camp 2 for about 5.30pm. A couple of groups had to make a swifter descent to Llandrillo from Bwlch maen Gwynedd as some members had an injury. This allowed some real time first aid scenarios to be discussed and executed. Some great teamwork and motivation was seen. So proud of you guys.

Back at camp for our dinner! :-)

Day 3 Monday

A misty morning but all the promise of a glorious day... has summer arrived?

Time to break camp and head to Corwen for our coach pick up. If we get there before 3pm ice creams can be had! Tents were damp and will need a complete dry out before being handed in. Something we need to get used to doing efficiently at the end of expeditions.

(Tents and equipment must be totally dry before being packed away. So it is the first thing we need to do when returning from and expedition)

Camp 2 photos from Hendwr...

Gurdit and his well packed tent.

Teams headed out in the sun while at the staff base camp the injured did a fine job with Mrs. Rochfort and Mrs. Flood at drying some tents and packing the support van. Legend status to these two staff members.

Great linear feature here team. Your navigation was impressive.