Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Training Expedition

I've been involved with a fabulous for days of expedition life as I helped some students to complete a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition. The weather has been unreal. Far too hot for carrying a big backpack around the mountains really, but much better than rain. It all started back in Llandudno on Sunday morning, packing, prepping, shopping and generally getting organised.

The group left mid afternoon, so I had a little bit of time before meeting them again just before sunset at the first wild camp. Amazing views like this from camp.

It was already well in the twenties by 6am, so I was forced out the tent much earlier than I'd have liked!

An 'x' in the sky marked the spot!

On Monday, we did some navigation training before I left the group to continue solo....

I enjoyed seeing this sign at one of the checkpoints!

Due to the heat, John and I transported about 30litres of water up the mountainside to the second wild camp. Hot and sweaty work! The group, having cooked earlier so that they could walk up the last hill in the shade arrived as the sun hit the horizon - a big day!

I was exhausted by the time I got to get into my tent and was all too soon woken by the sun again. Being the longest day of the year (literally!), it barely got dark and there was a glow on the horizon all night.

I was back up to the mountain top by 9am, but there was no sign of the agreed departure! 

Eventually, everyone was on the move again and John and I leapfrogged our way between checkpoints again.

The final camp was reached before dark this time and had the luxury of toilets and a shower. But also lots of midges. Luckily for John and I, our friend lives next to the campsite and we got invited inside for dinner while the students battled on with the camp stoves!

After a celebratory swim in the lake, we took a minibus ride back to the Cabin, there I was greeted by a wall of heat as I opened the front door. 34 degrees on the thermometer! 

With the kit all packed away and students de-briefed, I left Wales and made it to Fort Martin in the van just in time for last light, dinner and a welcome cold drink!