In my role as a Youth Worker I work with Conwy County Borough Councils Youth Service DofE Open Award Centres. Every Easter heralds the start of the DofE Expedition Season, and with over 150 young people registered with Conwy Youth Services Open Award Centres, participating at all 3 levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold), we need to start our practice expeditions as soon as we are able.
This Easter we offered 60 young people participating at Silver and Gold level the opportunity to complete their 3 or 4 day practice expeditions in Snowdonia. With the first expedition running at the start of the school holiday and the second at the end. Both expeditions followed the same route, with the silver participants completing 3 days hiking and 2 nights camping and gold participants camping an extra night and completing an extra days hike.
For anyone not familiar with the DofE Award Scheme, participants have to undertake an expedition as one of four sections (or 5 if doing Gold) to achieve the full award. During the expedition they work in groups of between 4 and 7 and they must be self-sufficient, so have to carry all their equipment and food with them. On a practice expedition each group is accompanied by a trained/experienced adult, to give additional training and monitor the groups abilities. This was my role on both expeditions.
Our Route
Day 1 - Conwy Quay to wild camp at the broken dam wall by Llyn Eigiau (Reservoir). Passing Craigyfedwen, Caer Bach Fort, Cae Coch, Bron-y-Gadair (Outdoor Centre) and Pen-y-gaer en route.
Day 2 - Llyn Eigiau to Dolgram campsite in Capel Curig, via the dam end of Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Geirionydd.
Day 3 - Dolgram to the National Trust campsite at Hafod-y-llan Farm (Golds) or the Watkin Path Car Park on the A498 (for lifts home - Silvers).
Day 4 - Hafod-y-llan Farm to Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station, via Croesor, Cwmorthin and Tanygrisiau.
Looking up to the broken dam wall in Cwm Eigiau
The 1st Expedition
I lead a different group of young people for each of the 3 days I was on the expedition. As there were only a couple of gold groups, there was no need for all of the leaders to stay for the last day, so I got to go home at the end of day 3.
The weather wasn't too bad, although it was very, very cold at night. We even had frost on the tents on the first night at Llyn Eigiau, but this soon melted away as the sun came over the mountain tops.
The 2nd Expedition
Again I lead a different group of young people each day. Although I ended up going home at the start of day 3 as I was rather ill over night and not really fit to lead a group.
The weather for day 1 was lovely, and although cold over night, we didn't get any more frost. Day 2 also started off nice but as we arrived at the campsite it began to rain, and boy did it rain! It finally stopped some 4 hours later.
Why do I do it??
This was a question I was asked by several of the young people who I walked with over the duration of the expeditions. They have a clear reason for doing the expedition - their DofE Award, but they were very curious as to why us adults were doing it.
I do it because I love it! I love walking and camping and being in the outdoors, and I want to share that with others. I enjoy working with young people, so combining the two things is a dream. It's not always easy though. The weather can be cruel, you have to be at least as fit as the young people (which gets harder the older you get!!), and you have to be 'Mr Motivator' in order to get everyone through the hard bits in one piece - this can be the most draining part. But the rewards far out weigh any down sides - to see the young people complete what for most is a real physical and mental challenge is amazing.
Photos from my journeys
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