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Snowdonia Stretch (March 2007)
![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/military/images/snowd1.jpg");)
With a hint of expectancy, half of the lower sixth boarded coaches at lunchtime on Friday 13th March. Weather forecasts were courage shattering – Rain! However, by the time we got to the campsite in Wales, there was strong sunshine! It was unheard of – sunny wales!
That afternoon we put up our tents and just sat around talking. After a meal of potatoes and meat (mystery meat) we had our first briefing for the exercise. We then had to work out our route for the next day, as well as the people leading each section.
After a better nights sleep than that experienced at Welbeck there was an early cooked breakfast. After a quick check of equipment we set off for our navigational exercise. After an great day’s walking, exploring the local area, struggling to navigate on the non existent paths through the middle of nowhere – once through the middle of a marsh! – it was back to campsite. After treatment for blisters, and surprisingly for Wales, Sunburn, dinner was served, before a briefing and bed.
![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/military/images/snowd2.jpg");)
The next day was the first day of the expeditions. This meant walking to a campsite in the middle of nowhere (it seemed) and staying the night before walking back the next day. This involved greater distances than before. After a long and tiring day navigating through welsh countryside, up and down hill every two seconds, we reached the campsite, promptly collapsing on the floor in semi exhaustion. It was then time to put the tents up, before cooking a rat pack meal of curried lamb with rice. When the other groups started to arrive we swapped route information and stories of the day. Jordan Sorabjee promptly started a roaring bonfire, which we all sat around and chatted. We then went to sleep, all expectant for the next day.
The next morning was cold, the tent doors had frozen! However it soon warmed up, with several brave people attempting to wash in the little stream – they must be mad! After burger and beans, we set off again, homeward bound. We had to climb the highest peak in the area before that though, a sight which we could dread throughout the morning. We stopped for lunch in the shadow of the 660m beast, readying for the afternoon ahead.
![Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC)](javascript:PopupPic("/military/images/snowd3.jpg");)
We set off after lunch, pretending to be mountain goats as we scrambled up the side of this mountain, with unsecured stones showing the supposed ‘easy’ path! We reached the top after about an hour and a half’s climbing. It was downhill from then on, striding off towards the campsite. We eventually joined with our route from two days previous, which meant we picked up our pace as we now knew where we were!
We reached the campsite at about 4pm, falling to the floor in gratitude. We then had to put the tents up to dry, as well as show the next group of LVI that everything was present and correct. This was achieved as quickly as possible, because we all wanted to get home! After a brief stop at a service station it was a return to Welbeck, a warm shower and bed, before a return to routine the next morning – a Monday morning!!
Thomas Steadman, Trenchard 06E
