After the last two years of adventures in the Dolomites, this year, for its annual expedition Dorset ACF was staying home based. So immediately thoughts turned to the world class scrambling and rock climbing available in North Wales. However even the biggest fans of the area could not have imagined that the weather would have been so perfect, allowing us to have some truly memorable adventures.
The advance party deployed on 13 August and got established camping in Capel Curig Camp. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent conducting reconnaissance of the areas to be used including Tremadog for multi pitch climbing, Castle Inn Quarry for single pitch climbing and the indoor wall at Indy as a wet weather option. The wet weather option was not needed at all, which is something of a first!
The Cadets arrived in time for evening meal on the Saturday, bright eyed, bushy tailed and full of energy. The evening was spent sorting out the groups, briefing the Cadets and issuing equipment. The plan was that the 3 groups would spend three of the first four days rotating through, hill walking, scrambling and rock climbing, with a day coasteering thrown in. Then the next two days would be spent building on the rock climbing skills.
Sunday dawned bright and clear (like all the mornings!) And off we went!
The walkers did the classic traverse of the Glyders from Capel Curig to Ogwen Cottage. The climbers went to the top tier at Tremadog. The scramblers did an ambitious 5 scramble link up in the Ogwen Valley including the 3 Star routes Cneifon Arete and Dolmen Ridge. This confirmed that the Cadets had the determination and resilience to take full advantage of what North Wales has to offer!
On Monday the groups rotated. The walkers did Snowdon by the Rhyd Du and Snowdon Ranger Paths. The climbers went to Tryfan Fach and did an intro to climbing followed by a first muti pitch route. The group then moved to London Wall and top roped some harder climbs.
The scramblers did an exciting day around Milestone Buttress including Milestone Buttress Approach and Continuation with their adventures ending up on the summit of Tryfan.
Tuesday, to continue with the theme of really challenging the Cadets, off they went Coasteering! With some great fun in the sun and (relatively) warm sea.
Wednesday was the third rotation. The walkers did Moel Siabod Ridge Circuit. The climbing group repeated the Tryfan Fach, London Wall package, The scrambling group did the Idwal Staircase and Continuation then the spectacular Tower Rib.
Thursday we focussed on climbing. One group went to Tremadog and did two multi pitch route with a spectacular abseil in the middle. The other group went to the excellent single pitch venue of Castle Inn Quarry and worked on climbing movement and technical skills.
On Friday the groups switched over. So all Cadets finished the week having completed all the many tough and complex challenges thrown at them. The very experienced instructors were massively impressed by the enthusiasm and ability of the Cadets.
The week finished with fish and chips in Betws-y-Coed, which was well earned!
What a great trip, what a huge amount achieved!
Well done to all the Cadets who committed fully to this truly demanding and ambitious package!
“Ex Venturer Snowdon was an amazing experience that has brought me out of my comfort zone including abseiling, rock climbing and jumping off ledges into the sea. It made me meet new people from different backgrounds and conquer some of my fears. It was a great experience.”
“During the Wales trip I really enjoyed my time. I had greatest fun scrambling and coasteering as well as rock climbing, which I particularly enjoyed. This has helped me overcome my fear of heights and has made me realise I am much more capable than I think I am and that I just haver to keep going and pushing myself. I really think this week helped my self confidence.”
