Adventure Training is a key part of the RAF Air Cadet training syllabus and within 282 (East Ham) Squadron, Adventure Training is incredibly popular. It helps develop resilience and leadership skills through a range of exhilarating outdoor activities, adventurous training is enjoyable from start to finish, creating experiences and learning that will stay with you for life.
Expedition Eryri Heights consisted of a 7-day adventure to Eryri (previously known as Snowdonia) for cadets to undertake activities such as coasteering, high-ropes, rock climbing, abseiling, zip lining and complete a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition in remote terrain.
Based out of Capel Curig, the training camp began with a coasteering session on Anglesey, which was a first for all participants! It was an overcast and wet day which didn’t encourage the cadets to get involved. However, the spirit was there and with a little instructor persuasion, the cadets kitted up and hiked down to the shoreline. It was tip toes into the water at first, but once the wet suit started to do its job, the cadets were more than happy to be in the sea. Cadets had to swim from rock feature to rock feature, climbing along cliff edges, and jump into the sea at height. This was an incredible experience for all. For many cadets, leaping from height proved a big challenge and took them out of their comfort zone. The swell was medium but within limits, adding to the adrenaline of the jumps. With encouragement from fellow cadets, staff and instructors, those nervous to jump into the sea eventually did. All cadets took part in all the challenges and jumps. Cadets supported each other with swimming between features and climbing onto them. The activity proved successful, bringing much confidence and comradery to the team.
The next 5 days consisted of preparations and completion of the Expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (silver and gold levels). With a total of 3 gold teams and 2 silver teams, the cadets hiked in separate localities and, with warm weather, each day proved to be a challenge. The expedition encourages teamwork as the cadets have to support each other a great deal through challenging times to reach their destination. Members of the team must work on building their tents as a group, cook group meals and navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint as a team, conferring with each other to agree on a safe path. Route planning is a team effort.
The teams all worked incredibly well over their expeditions which also included a wild camp. The day of the wild camp came with a wet and breezy day, which was their luck considering all the other days were near perfect walking conditions. The cadets demonstrated excellent campcraft skills and anchored down for the night, emerging the next day to a clear sky and a beautiful sunrise. The cadets thoroughly enjoyed their expeditions and the uptake to undertake these ventures is never low!
Following a successful expedition, the cadets spent their last day in the Slate Caverns, traversing the many large indoor caves via zipline, abseiling, climbing and the occasional Via Ferrata. The caves were created during the times of large-scale mining in the region, creating gigantic caverns that were turned into excellent adventure experiences. Following from the coasteering experiences, the cadets were warmed up for the challenges that were presented in front of them. All participants were secured to a line that mapped the course, however the cadets had to take many leaps into the darkness of the caves solo whilst secured via a harness. It really was a ‘leap of faith’ for many and cadets were constantly cheering on their colleagues, providing much needed comforting and team spirit.
As Expedition Eryri Heights came to an end, the cadets reflected on the past seven days, collating their thoughts on what they learnt about themselves and their teammates. Feedback on each other certainly brought them closer together as they understood each other’s strengths and weaknesses, pathing the way for greater teams, comradery and friendships.
All who undertook the venture are eternally grateful to the Ulysses Trust and the Aviation Focus Group for their kind support, permitting many cadets to undertake activities they would never ordinarily get the opportunity to do.
