ADVENTUROUS TRAINING

In the first week of the Easter break 13 cadets and four staff ventured to Snowdonia for the annual week of Adventurous Training, billeted just outside Llanrwst.

Sunday saw the cadets gorge-walking up and down the Geirionydd and Afon Ddu Gorges, through various states of immersion, climbing into the Washing Machine and up the Elephant’s Bum (although these may not be strictly literal translations from the Welsh).

On Monday and Tuesday we all undertook a canoe expedition along the estuary of the Afon Dwyryd from Maentwrog to Porthmadog, with an overnight wild camp at a disused slate quarry. A variety of makeshift canoe and bivvie shelters withstood the evening showers and 24-hour ration packs were supplemented with hot chocolate and marshmallows toasted over the kelly-kettles. Paddle skills developed throughout the trip and were sufficient to navigate the stronger wind and tide conditions on the second day.

On Wednesday, three cadets started their two-day introduction to white water at the Plas y Brenin kayak course, learning and honing their boat handling skills on moving water on some gentler stretches of the River Dee. The remaining cadets climbed and summited Snowdon; two groups via the challenging Crib Goch route, with one group continuing to complete the Snowdon Horseshoe, while the third group ascended via the Pyg Track. Blue skies afforded a great day and fantastic views for all.

On the final day, our kayakers completed a descent of a section of grade two plus water on the Dee putting yesterday’s practise to good effect, although eveybody swam at least once (Capt Nighy included). The other cadets spent the day climbing near Blaenau on Slick and Slack, completing a series of single and multi-pitch climbs, belaying one another up and abseiling down.

Capt D Nighy