The team spirit was not dampened in the wet weather

 

The group dynamics of three males and two females included Cadet Corporal Gray, Cadet Sergeant Watson of Burwell Detachment, Cadet Corporal Harding, Cadet Corporal Griffiths of Haddenham Detachment and Adult Instructor Sergeant Clendenning of Cambourne Detachment.

 

Organising instructor Sergeant Tony Tuite started helping the group prepare for their gold a year ago, with tasks such as choosing routes, booking camp sites, organising route cards and booking the assessor.

 

Day one saw a start time of 11am with a climb to 1064m over Carnedd Llewyn, the weather closed in whilst on the tops with high winds, however the group pulled together and finally made it to the their first camp site at 8pm tired and ready for food and sleep.

 

 

Corporal Gray and Corporal Harding tackle the tent

 

The support group of Sergeant Tuite, Captain Maxwell and Staff Sergeant Sharp joined the group in the morning to check on welfare and ensure the group where up and ready for a good start time.  Once they had eaten breakfast, showered and packed their kit up they started on the second day venturing over Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr.

 

The weather didn’t let them down; with temperatures at 1C on the tops, high winds, rain and little visibility (typical for Snowdonia) this was the day that measured their navigation and team skills to the limit.  Thanks to Airways the group could keep in touch with the support team should their be any problems, the group soldiered on making their highest summit of Glyder Fawr at 999m by 2pm.  Things went sour for a while with the group tired; the terrain of large granite boulders to negotiate, poor weather conditions and cold setting in, made slow headway for the group however they pulled together and made it down to camp in Nant Peris by 7:30pm, again very tired and hungry.

 

 

The challenging conditions test the team to the limit

 

After a good nights sleep the group woke up on a positive mind knowing they had Snowdon summit to accomplish via the Llanberis Path, the group made a good early start, leaving the camp at 08.30hr after meeting the DofE assessor Ian Blackwood, who had observed their camp craft skills and discussed with them food groups and kit.

 

The weather was fair with some cloud but the group stayed dry; taking in the views the group took advantage collecting photographs on their way. This was their easiest day navigationally with the path up to Snowdon being easy to follow.  Unfortunately there wasn’t a view at the top due to cloud but the group got to the cafe and into the warmth before the decent down the miners track.

 

Camp three at Nant Gwynant Lake saw the group’s final night out, Ian Blackwood met the group as they came in from the hills to discuss their route and moral, giving tips on how to pack kit more efficiently.  Once they had set up for the evening the support team left the group to bed down until the morning.

 

Day four: the final day, more navigational via Coed Mawr and Dolwyddelan but the weather was the best day yet with the sun coming out.  This was the day the group had the most fun negotiating mud pools through the forest towards Dolwyddelan.

 

At 1pm the group appeared through the trees to meet Ian the Assessor at the end of the route, elated and glad it was all over. Ian pointed out the group had chosen a very challenging and demanding route which tested the group dynamics, moral and physical stamina. Over the four days the group displayed a sound knowledge of camp craft, personal admin, navigation and team work, over difficult and demanding terrain, often in miserable weather conditions. Through-out their expedition, the group displayed an enthusiasm which was fitting of Gold Award members.

 

 

The team with Sergeant Tuite and Assessor Ian Blackwood

 

It was an outstanding performance, and expedition.  All members where therefore awarded a Gold Expedition Pass.

 

 

By S/Sgt Lesley Sharp