Half-term Camp: The wettest, windiest Wales

“It ain’t training, if it ain’t raining!”

This is is what the Royal Marines say when blasted by the weather. But what do you say to a group of 10 to 15 year olds, camping in a 4-day storm? Luckily I didn’t have to say much. This group were true champions. Barely a moan or a whimper – even when they had to abandon their bell tents and sleep the night in the minibus!

Despite the meteorological mayhem, Snowdonia was still a fantastic place to explore. The group managed a 6 hour day on Mount Snowdon – I turned them around 300m (vert) short of the summit due to high winds and torrential rain. Like young mountain goats, they were practically running up the famous Pyg Track route.

There has never been a more welcome hot chocolate. We were soaked to the skin.

With apocalyptic conditions persisting, our rafting got cancelled due to high water – so a visit to a local copper mine and some short valley walks provided some fun.

Yes the conditions were unlucky, but it allowed a steep learning curve for the young ones (and us instructors). Discomfort and hardship always remind you to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. So a dry minibus transformed into a 5-star hotel!