The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Wales Expedition Network

Useful information from the Wales Expedition Network

Information about the Wild Country Areas:Bronze and Silver expeditions are mainly outside of the Wild Country Areas. The expectation at Gold level is that most will take place in Wild Country. Any groups coming into the Wild Country Area at any level (Bronze, Silver or Gold) must notify the Wales Expedition Network.

The DofE Green Notification Form must be used to notify the DofE that you are organising either an unaccompanied practice or a qualifying expedition in one of the DofE’s designated Wild Country Areas. An unaccompanied expedition is one where remote supervision is used at any point, that is, all final practices and qualifying expeditions. Any training where remote supervision is used must also be notified to the DofE Assessor Network Co-ordinator for the Wild Country Area you are visiting (using the notification form).

Users of Wild Country should send the expedition notification form to the appropriate Assessor Network Co-ordinator six weeks prior to the expedition, or four weeks if no Assessor is required.

Please visit the website for a list of the DofE’s designated Wild Country Areas: DofE.org/run/expeditionareas.

In Wales there are three areas where notification is required, Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons and Mid Wales.

Contacts

Beverley Williams-PughWales Assessor Network Administration OfficerSwyddog Gweinyddu Rhwydwaith Asesu Cymru(P/T: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday)(R/A: Dydd Llun/Mawrth/Mercher/Iau)

The Duke of Edinburgh’s AwardFirst Floor, Plas Y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HP Wales / CymruE: walesexpeds@DofE.org T: 01874 623086 / 01874 615383 (Direct Line)

Other useful contactsPlease note these do not require a copy of the Green Notification Form.

Brecon Beacons: Eifion Jones, Rights of Way Officer, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys LD3 7HP. Tel: 01874 624437. eifion.jones@beacons-npa.gov.uk beacons-npa.gov.uk/environment/planning-access-and-row

Mid Wales: Dafydd Wyn Morgan, Cambrian Futures Project, Cambrian Mountains. dyfodolcambrianfutures@gmail.com Snowdonia: Peter Rutherford, Access Officer at Snowdonia National Park. peter.rutherford@eryri.llyw.cymru snowdonia.gov.wales/looking-after/public-access

You may also find the following contact useful when planning your visit: Elfyn Jones, Access & Conservation Officer Wales at British Mountaineering Council. elfyn@thebmc.co.uk thebmc.co.uk.

The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales.

The range forms the central section of the Brecon Beacons National Park, a designation which also encompasses ranges both to the east and the west of ‘the central Beacons’, it includes the Black Mountains to the east as well as the similarly named but quite distinct Black Mountain to the west.

The Brecon Beacons range, comprises six main peaks: from west to east these are: Corn Du, 873 metres (2,864 ft), Pen y Fan, the highest peak, 886 metres (2,907 ft), Cribyn, 795 metres (2,608 ft), Fan y Bîg, 719 metres (2,359 ft), Bwlch y Ddwyallt, 754 metres (2,474 ft), and Waun Rydd 769 metres (2,523 ft).

These summits form a long ridge, and the sections joining the first four form a horseshoe shape around the head of the Taf Fechan, which flows away to the south east.

Brecon Beacons

The main Wild Country expedition areas within Mid Wales are:

The Pumlumon (or Plynlimon) hills and surrounding area

Featuring the highest peak in the Cambrian Mountains, the Pumlumon (meaning five peaks) area, is full of remote, challenging terrain, offering stunning remote routes and a true navigational challenge.

To the West is the popular Nant yr Arian Mountain Biking Centre, while to the North East, Glaslyn lake is a spectacular spot for bird life, situated on the Glyndwr way, whilst the Nant y Moch reservoir, which forms a centre point of the expedition area is fed by a number of valleys.

Within short walking distance of the peak at 752 metres of Pumlumon are both the sources of the Rivers Wye and Severn (or Gwy and Hafren), which both lead to their own long distance walks, adding to the route possibilities in the area.

Elan Valley

Possibly the most heavily protected area of special interest and natural beauty outside of a National Park. The Elan Valley area is part of the Elan Valley estate, comprising of the reservoirs and water sources that supply to the Midlands. The estate is rich in wildlife, peat

bogs, bird life and is one of the most untouched and unchanged areas in the whole of Wales. Numerous routes in and around the area are possible, all offering remote, peaceful expedition experiences and a navigational challenge which will leave participants with a very strong sense of achievement.

The support of the Elan Valley estate allows access to a number of farm and wild camping sites, all well away from anything resembling a crowd. At the south western end is an area of lakes known as Llynoedd Teifi or Teifi Pools, which lead to the Cistercian abbey ruins of Strata Florida.

Llyn Brianne/Llanwrtyd / Abergwesyn

This area is very popular, offering a mixture of remote valley routes, wild country navigation, forestry and yet again, peace.

Devils Bridge and Cwmystwyth

Tucked between the Pumlumon hills and the Elan Valley estate, this area comprises two recreational forestry areas, a stunning valley full of old mine works and one of the UK’s tallest wind farms. Centred on the popular tourist destination of Devils Bridge this area also provides linking routes between Pumlumon and the Elan Valley and vice versa.

Mid Wales

The Snowdonia National Park which outlines the Wild Country Area covers 823 square miles of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in North Wales.

Snowdonia offers mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys. History and culture is everywhere and Welsh is the first language of 65% of the population.

The landscape illustrates the history of the area through Stone Age burial chambers, Roman forts, churches, castles, slate quarries and other industrial works.

Snowdonia is famous for its most spectacular mountain scenery with Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in the North and Cadair Idris in the South. In all there are more than 90 summits over 2000ft and 15 over 3000m.

The expedition service covers Cadair Idris and Rhinogs to the South, Snowdon, Glyderau, Carneddau and Moelwyns to the North and the Berwyns to the East.

Snowdonia

Notification process

The group plans the expedition.

Routes are checked by a technically competent individual.

Permission for camping obtained. Safety of the groups is the responsibility of the Supervisor.

Checked the expedition meets the 20 conditions of the Expedition section.

Approval from Licensed Organisation.

Submit green Notification Form at least four weeks before your expedition to walesexpeds@DofE.org, along with a map of the route, either as a scanned pdf or as an online mapping attachment, we only require route cards for expeditions being assessed by the Network.

The Wales Expedition panel acknowledges receipt of notification, if this is not received within a couple of working days telephone

01874 623086/01874 615383 (direct line).

The Wales Expedition Panel checks the expedition meets the 20 conditions of the Expedition section.

If there are no queries, the Wales Expedition Panel issues a notification number.

If the group requires a Network Assessor the Panel will make arrangements and confirm details with the group.

Wales Assessor Network assessments

If you are requesting a Network Assessor please tick the box on the front of the notification form and include the voucher code number,

submit at least six weeks prior to the expedition.

Voucher codes can be purchased on eDofE.org in DofE Essentials. Any issues with purchasing these should be addressed to asl@DofE.org, or

vouchers can be bought by email from ASL (current prices are on eDofE).

The Welsh Expedition Panel will put a request out to the 100 members on our network, outlining the expedition details.

This process will be repeated until an Assessor confirms their availability.

All the paperwork relating to the expedition will be sent to the Assessor.

The Welsh Expedition Network will confirm the name of the Assessor with the group.

The assessor will get in touch with the group and confirm arrangements

If the panel fails to find an Assessor we will inform the group two weeks before the expedition date and the voucher code can be saved for

another expedition as it is valid for three years.

The Supervisor will need to provide the Assessor with all the final details for the expedition including route cards.

If the DofE’s 20 conditions for the Expedition section have been met the Welsh Expedition Network will issue the notification number to the

Assessor to include in the reports following the expedition.

All qualifying expeditions must be assessed by an accredited Assessor. At Gold level this Assessor must always be totally independent of the group.

The DofE has a team of volunteer accredited Assessors based in or adjacent to the wild country areas. If you would like to have one of these

individuals assess your group then you must make sure that you follow the process below at least six weeks before your expedition start date.

As all of the team members are volunteers it is not always possible to provide an Assessor but we will let you know no later than two weeks before the start date if we are unable to do this.

The 20 Conditions of the Expedition section

DofE qualifying expedition conditions

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Registered Charity No: 1072490, and in Scotland No: SC038254, and a Royal Charter Corporation No: RC000806. Registered Office: Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, WINDSOR, Berkshire SL4 1EU 05/03/19 DW DofE.org

The team must plan and organise the expedition; all members of the team should be able to describe the role they have played in planning.

The expedition must have an aim. The aim can be set by the Leader at Bronze level only.

All participants must be within the qualifying age of the programme level and at the same Award level (i.e. not have completed the same or higher level of expedition).

There must be between four and seven participants in a team (eight for modes of travel which have tandem)

The expedition should take place in the recommended environment.

Accommodation must be by camping or other simple self-catering accommodation (e.g. camping barns or bunkhouses).

The expedition must be of the correct duration and meet the minimum hours of planned activity.

All expeditions must be supervised by an adult (the Expedition Supervisor) who is able to accept responsibility for the safety of the team.

Assessment must be by an accredited Assessor. At Bronze level only, the Assessor may also be the Expedition Supervisor.

Expeditions will usually take place between the end of March and the end of October. They may take place outside this period, if so, non-camping accommodation options should be considered.

Participants must be adequately trained to safely undertake a remotely supervised expedition in the environment in which they will be operating.

All expeditions must be by the participants’ own physical effort, without motorised or outside assistance. Mobility aids may be used where appropriate to the needs of the participant.

All expeditions must be unaccompanied and self-sufficient. The team must be properly equipped, and supervision must be carried out remotely.

Teams must possess the necessary physical fitness, first aid and expedition skills required to complete their expedition safely.

Groups must adhere to a mobile phone use policy as agreed with their Expedition Supervisor and Assessor. This agreement should also include use of other electronic equipment.

Participants must behave responsibly with respect for their team members, Leaders, the public and animals.

Groups must understand and adhere to the Countryside /Scottish Outdoor Access, Highway and Water Sports Codes (as appropriate).

Participants must plan an appropriate expedition menu, including cooking and eating a substantial hot meal on each day. This is optional on the final day.

Participants must actively participate in a debrief with their Assessor at the end of the expedition.

At Silver and Gold level, a presentation must be prepared and delivered after the expedition.

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Bronze: Expeditions should be in normal rural countryside – familiar and local to groups.

Bronze: A minimum of 2 days, 1 night; 6 hours planned activity each day.

Bronze: Teams must complete the required training.

Silver: Expeditions should be in normal rural, open countryside or forest – unfamiliar to groups.

Silver: A minimum of 3 days, 2 nights; 7 hours planned activity each day.

Silver: Teams must complete the required training and a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 2 nights.

Gold: Expeditions should be in wild country (remote from habitation) which is unfamiliar to groups.

Gold: A minimum of 4 days, 3 nights; 8 hours planned activity each day.

Gold: Teams must complete the required training and a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 2 nights

Leave no tracePlease respect the interests of other people: Acting with courtesy, consideration and awareness is very important. Respect the privacy,

safety and livelihoods of those living or working in the outdoors, and the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors.

Respect. Protect.

Enjoy.

Respect. Protect.

Enjoy.

When passing over farmland, please ensure all gates are left as they are found. As a group, please communicate to the last person in the group whether the gate was found open or closed.

Ideally the person who opens the gate should wait for the whole group to pass through and shut it behind them. This way it not only ensures animals do not stray, but it keeps you together as a group.

To find out more about how you can protect the countryside, visit DofE.org/country.

We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside, for other users and for future generations.

Dropping litter can quickly spoil a lovely view and can be harmful to wildlife. It’s easy to help keep the countryside tidy for everyone.

If you can’t find a bin, take your litter home with you and dispose of it there.

To find out more about how you can protect the countryside, visit DofE.org/country.

Closing gates

Don’t leave litter behind

Respect. Protect.

Enjoy.

Respect. Protect.

Enjoy.

We are lucky to have free access to routes across farmland throughout the UK. Straying from official paths in these areas can damage the crops that farmers depend on for their living.

Damaging crops costs farmers money and threatens the access to the countryside that many people enjoy. Respect the farmers who allow you onto their land – and stick to the paths provided.

To find out more about how you can protect the countryside, visit DofE.org/country.

Large farm animals can be daunting, but they are likely to be just as scared of you as you are of them! Keep to paths and pass animals calmly and quietly to avoid disturbing them – and please do not feed them.

You can also help to keep valuable animals, such as sheep and cows, safe by remembering to leave gates as you find them; leaving a gate open if it was shut could let animals stray onto roads.

To find out more about how you can protect the countryside, visit: DofE.org/country.

Stick to pathways

Respect livestock

DofEWales WalesDofE theDofEUK DofEUK

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Registered Charity No: 1072490, and in Scotland No: SC038254, and a Royal Charter Corporation No: RC000806. Registered Office: Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1EU 11/02/20/dw DofE.org

Beverley Williams-Pugh Wales Assessor Network Administration OfficerSwyddog Gweinyddu Rhwydwaith Asesu Cymru

(P/T: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) (R/A: Dydd Llun/Mawrth/Mercher/Iau)

The Duke of Edinburgh’s AwardFirst Floor, Plas Y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HP Wales / Cymru

E: walesexpeds@DofE.org T: 01874 623086/01874 615383 (Direct Line)

Lyme disease

Grass fires

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks, these are commonly found in woodland and heathland areas which groups regularly use.

For more information visit: nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx.

Fires in the countryside cause widespread damage to the environment and wildlife and of course are a risk to human life. Grass/moorland fires take hold very quickly – always take great care when

using stoves and disposing of matches. Do not light camp fires or burn toilet paper to dispose of it. Please ensure that groups are trained in case they come across any grass fires.

Camping/wild campingPlease note that Supervisors/Leaders/groups are responsible for gaining permission to use camp sites.

Please respect all camp sites and other users of the camp sites. Some of the camp sites request that groups are supervised overnight by a responsible adult.

For a current campsite list see the website.

Wild camping in Wales is currently not permitted. The CRoW (Countryside and Rights of Way) Act 2000 forbids camping unless you have permission of the landowner.

The British Mountaineering Council BMC has produced good practical advice for walkers, climbers and mountaineers in the upland environment, highlighting specific wild camping issues. Visit: thebmc.co.uk/greenguides.

The weather/seasonThe weather in Wales can be quite challenging at times. Check out the latest weather forecast here:

metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/mountain-forecasts.