Woking Explorer Scouts on a Mission.
Forty seven Explorer Scouts from the 5 Units in Woking spent 6 months training to achieve the Expedition section of the Duke of Edinbugh Award covering subjects such as navigation, cooking skills and emergency aid. Having completed the training, which started in October last year, and together with 21 leaders, they made their way along the M4 to Brecon for a weekend of fun and challenging hikes over the Bank holiday weekend (4th – 7th May).
Arriving at their campsite in Llangorse near Brecon in pitch darkness and starry skies at around 11.00 p.m. on the Friday, the Explorers pitched camp and bedded down for the night ready for an early start on the Saturday. With the hottest weekend this year so far and fantastic views, some of the Explorers in teams of 4 or 5, completed high level walks in the Black Mountains Including Pen y fan and Waun Fach as well as visiting the Sgwd yr Eira waterfalls near Penderyn where some were able to paddle in the lower pools.
A team of six Explorer Scouts completed their 3-day expedition covering a distance of about 50 kilometres walking from Talgarth, around Waun Fach to Crickhowell and Talybont and then back up to Llangors.
During the weekend ,5 other teams of younger Explorers completed a 2-day 25 kilometre expedition walking from Crickhowell following part of the Beacon way to Cwmdu and back to Llangorse Lake, on the Monday. En route the scouts had to complete their chosen projects on subjects such as the effect of tourism on the paths, historic buildings and the effects of rivers and lakes have on the community. The Expeditions were the final part of their Chief Scout’s Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme’s Bronze & Silver Expedition section.
Another group of 6 explorers completed a 3 day gruelling expedition as part of their official practice for the Queen Scouts and D of E Gold awards, covering around 25km a day in the wildest parts of the Black Mountains. They will now go on to complete a 4 day Expedition on Dartmoor in August.