Every year the DES funds an expedition to Snowdonia for students from the Greenhill Centre of Weymouth College, and every year the determination, resilience and team working of these youngsters never fails to impress the Leaders and helpers. The following is Richard Blackwell’s account of the 2004 venture.

Sun! Glorious sun! What a treat after the horrendous weather of the previous year.

Day 1

As usual we head straight for Snowdon with nothing stronger than a gentle breeze, the Crib Goch ridge is a definite starter, and after 50 minutes we split up. Clive, John, Ben, David and Dan continuing along the Pyg track, the rest of us heading up the Crib Goch. Tim has a rope with him, but such is the confidence of the youngsters it is never put to use, and both Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl are quickly climbed. The groups meet up on the summit of Snowdon, and descend via the Watkin Path. At the col between Llewydd and Snowdon, Tim, Richard, Bill and Rachel head down the spur to Glas Lyn so that they can return via the Miners Track and collect the Minibus. We meet up at Nant Gwynantand, wash ourselves down in the river – better this than the freezing cold showers on the campsite!!

Day 2

The students have been promised an easier day. From the road to the summit of Tryfan is only one kilometre, but the steepness of that 1km is unrelenting. The north face of Tryfan is fun to climb in that however many times you do it, you are unlikely to ascend the same route twice. Numerous gullies, short slabs and false trails lie in wait, and David, Max, Julie and Nikki rush on ahead eagerly searching out the best route. Occasional push-ups and pull-ups are used to get Dan and Ben up the more difficult moves, but the rope is not required until close to the summit. Here a short exposed move has to be made up to a col, and soon after that there is an awkward slab, which in wet weather could be extremely testing. From the top of the slab the twin summit boulders of ‘Adam and Eve’ appear, and soon we are relaxing on the top watching a nervous climber jumping the gap between the two. The students have been encouraged to summit with the usual verbal nonsense which emanates from David the comments that 1) “All Lecturers are liars!” and 2) “Richard, you are pure evil!”

Day 3

In the morning, a delightful circular walk taking in the spectacular Aber Waterfalls, and higher up superb views of Anglesey and Puffin Island. As the College has a National Trust card we pay a visit to Penryn Castle, and round off the day with an abseil down a slate quarry at Padarn Country Park

The day of departure was a time for the students to reflect on their achievements. They have done wonderfully well. The Staff were particularly impressed by their team spirit. The way they helped and supported each other was quite remarkable. But, as usual, the last word lay with Ben.

“I would just like to say…………………….………....” and 15 minutes later we get on the bus for the return journey!!!!

Richard Backwell