West Wales District Sea Cadets recently supported a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Expedition to Snowdonia for our cadets to qualify in their expedition section.
Through this expedition, they were supported by 4 adult volunteers, providing remote supervision and assessment throughout this time. Remote being the key word, as the participants need to be self sufficient from planning their route, map reading, carrying all they require, cooking and sleeping in a tent for 4 days and 3 nights. Carrying all they require includes all clothing, as well as expedition based equipment such as stove, food, tent, waterproofs, map and compass.
Through this time every participant takes the lead on map reading to lead the way, but it pulls them together as a team, working with each other, supporting each other and develop resilience throughout. It really does teach you new skills, including perseverance and determination.
Weather was kind during this expedition with a mix of warm and dry weather and some patchy rain, which made it easier for them to tackle the terrain of Tywyn around Snowdonia. Within the group is an avid and keen fisher, who was delighted to be able to fish on one of the evenings due to the locality of a river. Oddly, the team didn’t think it was that great, following the smell of preparing the fish for dinner!
Leading Cadet Sally commented:
“This expedition really tested us but as a group we got through it together, we laughed a lot and ensured that no matter what we supported each other. It was such a fantastic feeling on the journey home, stopping for proper food, we had never appreciated it so much!”
Thank you to the Ulysses Trust for their support.
Details of the expedition:
Tywyn Area of Snowdonia
Main Events List
Day 0 – 02/08/2025
13:00 Minibus departs Swansea
16:00* Arrive Tywyn – Main Campsite – SH 59118 00339
16:30* Saftey Brief
17:00* Cadets to prepare for Qualifier
Day 1
08:00* Break Camp – Start Day 1
10:00* Check Point 1 – Ynysymaengwyn – SH 59948 02321
12:00* Check Point 2 – Bailey Bridge – SH 56647 02899
15:00* Check Point 3 – Path road Junction – SH 57187 05369
16:00* Cadets Camp – Waenfach – SH 59222 05003
Day 2
08:00* Break Camp – Start Day 2
10:00* Check Point 1 – Rhyd y criw – SH 58969 05921
13:00* Check Point 2 – Path Junction – SH 62839 09624
16:00* Cadets Camp – Llanllwyda Bird Rock – SH 65016 07763
- Approximate times only
Day 3
08:00* Break Camp – Start Day 3
10:00* Check Point 1 – Dolgoch Falls – SH 65070 04570
13:00* Check Point 2 – Path Junction/Hilltop – SH 68139 03286
16:00* Cadets Camp – Ynysymaengwyn – SH 65016 07763
Day 4
08:00* Break Camp – Start Day 4
10:00* Check Point 1 – Road path Junction – SN 62897 98504
13:00* Check Point 2 – Aberdovey crossroads – SN 61548 97135
16:00* Check Point 3 – Path road Junction – SN 60704 99303
20:00* Finish – Debrief – Meal – Return to Swansea
23:59* Arrive Swansea
