D of E Expedition to Wales
By Mahdi, Year 12
On the 4 th of April my Duke of Edinburgh group, along with the Year 12 team, embarked on our Gold DofE practice expedition in Brecon Beacons, Wales. It was a 4-day long journey in which we covered a total distance of 46.6km (28.9 miles). The expedition was an exciting, memorable and exhilarating adventure.
The highlight of our trip happened on the first day, when our planned route took an unexpected turn, leading us into the middle of a dense forest filled with thorns and nettles. It was already getting dark, and things were tense for a while, but we stuck together and managed to navigate our way through and reach the other side. That day we didn’t reach the campsite till 10.30pm. Exhausted, but proud of ourselves.
The next day (Saturday) was a lot smoother than the day before. The views were incredible, and we followed a scenic trail passing by 3 lakes, which made for an enjoyable hike.
Sunday was arguably the most iconic day of the expedition. We hiked up Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales sitting at 886m above sea level. The climb was a tiring one, especially with the heavy bags we were carrying, but the views at the top were worth it. We had lunch at the top as well – pasta – all while enjoying the panoramic views. The descent was also quite challenging due to the steep rocky surfaces and the sheer drops on both sides of the path. After completing the mountain section, we endured another 7.5km walk to reach the campsite which, fortunately, was the most comfortable of the trip.
The final day was arguably the easiest, since our route took us mostly through fields and farms, around the sheep, and we managed to complete the expedition successfully at around 2pm. The ride back to London was, ironically, the best bit about the whole trip, providing a much-needed rest after four days of intense hiking.
When preparing for our assessed expedition in July in the Lake District, there are a couple of things we could improve upon. Firstly, we could plan our breakfast meals better—particularly by incorporating more carbohydrates—this would help ensure we start each day with sufficient energy. Secondly, we could also get a bit more disciplined and leave the campsite slightly earlier, to help us manage our time more effectively. Lastly, it would be very useful if we took shorter breaks, since that would ensure that we got to our campsites earlier.
Overall, it was an extremely fun trip – one that we will always remember. I would like to express my gratitude, on behalf of the DofE group, to Miss Edwards for organising this fantastic opportunity for us. I would also like to thank Miss Nelson and Mr Fox-Bryne for giving up their time to accompany us on our trip and making it just that bit more memorable.