16 cadets and squadron staff took to the hills of Capel Curig on the weekend of 28 th to the 30 th October 2010 for a much anticipated Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

The cadets had been working within their groups for weeks prior to the walk to ensure that they had route cards, kit and expedition knowledge to get them through their practice expedition. Upon arrive al Capel Curig Army training camp, it soon became clear that the weekend was neither going to be easy or dry.

Yes, down the rain poured, for most of the Saturday morning. Though it did nothing to dampen the spirit or determination of the 487 cadets out in the low level hills in Snowdonia. Their first day's walk was not only arduous under foot but tested their navigational skills to the limit. Carrying their equipment for the entire weekend, soaked through but still smiling, all cadets made it to the finish point on day 1, ready for a quick dinner of MOD's finest ration pack food.

After successfully heating and eating their boil in the bag meals, everything was packed away into their tents and the cadets began a series of initiative and team building exercises under the command of Sgt Sarah Cotton. The cadets learnt some interesting facts about one another, valuable lessons in communication and teamwork and discovered that Cpl Daniel is indeed, the limbo king.

Sunday's walk proved to be somewhat dryer than Saturday, making the walking a little easier tough no less tiring. Again, everyone made it to the end with a huge smile plastered on their faces, happy in the knowledge that their Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition was now complete.

Sgt Cotton, Adventure Training Officer commented “The cadets have worked exceptionally hard over the last few months to prepare for this expedition and I'm proud of the determination and dedication they have shown to get through this tough weekend. It was the very first time out walking in the hills for some of the cadets this weekend, and I'm sure it's given them a good taste and some valuable lessons to take them further in their Duke of Edinburgh Award.”

The Squadron plans to complete the actual bronze expedition early in the new year.