Snowdon 6 Challenge – Adventure Education

Last weekend, 19 courageous Year 12’s took on the notorious Snowdon 6 Challenge. This has never been successfully completed by a school group before and involves summitting Snowdon three times via different routes. In total the route covers c40km and involves c2750m of ascent.  It is considered more difficult than the 3 Peaks Challenge as although the height gain and distance is comparable, there is no respite. It is a significant undertaking.

With alarms going off at 0130, breakfast consumed at 0145 and the walk commencing at 0300, from the very beginning the students knew that this was no ordinary challenge.

The first ascent was via the Watkin path and the conditions could not have been better. With no wind and an ideal temperature, the summit was rapidly achieved. At this stage, spirits were high and the challenge seemed eminently achievable.

The descent was then via the Miners track, before a quick pit stop at Pen-y-Pass. The second ascent was via the Pyg track and pace and morale was still high.

Following a successful second summit, the descent was via the Rhyd-Ddu path. The views were stunning with the route ahead clearly visible to all walkers.

At the bottom of the Rhyd-Ddu path, there was another brief pit stop before the final ascent via the Snowdon Ranger path. It was this final ascent that caused the trip to switch from one of purely enjoyment to one where team work leadership, grit and determination were very much required. In short, it became more ‘Adventure Educational’!

I am delighted to say that all these attributes, along with great humour, were seen in abundance and 18 of the 19 participants managed to complete all 3 summits despite battling heavy snow and rain on the last ascent. The groups arrived back at the Youth Hostel at 2140 after just under 19 hours of walking.

This group of students from Reading Blue Coat School managed to complete something that no other school group had managed to. It was a truly fantastic achievement and something that each and every one of them should be extremely proud of. It should instil them with great confidence as they approach future challenges, whether physical or mental and whether at school, university or the work place. With reference to Rudyard Kipling, they truly forced their heart and nerve and sinew to serve their turn long after they were gone, and so held on when there was nothing left in them except the will which said to them: ‘Hold on!’. Well done Year 12s – a truly inspirational performance!

Mr Stephen Lamacraft, Director of Adventure Education