Wild Wednesday

Day three of this weeks course continued to provide more excitement for the year 7&8's. Whilst group one ventured into the chilly waters of the Afon Ddu gorge, group two explored the Rhiwbach slate mine, and group three were intrigued by the vast Dinorwic slate quarry and continued to learn about it in the national slate museum.

This is the Caban where quarrymen would gather during breaks to sing songs and read poetry

Did you know that slate is still used in toothpaste and cosmetics?

Stunning views over the Dinorwic Slate quarry (the second biggest in the UK)

Team photo under the big waterfall at the Afon Ddu gorge. Everyone is looking a bit wet!

Everyone in the group was brave enough to take the plunge into the pool at the top of the gorge

Using ropes to explore the otherwise impassable parts of the mine

Your camouflage needs some work girls

Middle School Outdoor Education course at Blue Peris

It has been an excellent start to the programme for one of our regular schools that visit us.  They have been very lucky to have fine weather that has followed them here.  Determination and to overcome difficulties within a team, are two of the important aims of the course and so far, it has to be said that these students are working hard to achieve these goals. Roll on day 2 and the challenges that might follow...

One of the groups getting ready to take part in Sea Level Traversing at Blue Peris Outdoor Education Centre. They are at Porth Dafach on Angelsey and it was a beautiful day at the coast 

 Looks like someone is about to get wet !!  Better keep hanging on in there

Yes...the mountains can be sunny sometimes in North Wales! This group were very lucky to have the sunshine whilst Outdoor Rock Climbing at one of our Local Crags- Yellow Walls.

 Looking very active climbing at Yellow Walls. The group took it in turns to climb and look after each other. This activity requires trust in your friends and determination to succeed. 

The group loved canoeing at our local lake Llyn Padarn (however, they didn't enjoy getting changed at the end of a wet session!) Well they did insist in jumping in. 

One of our groups had the opportunity to explore Rhiwbach Mines. This allows the students to vista an old slate mine and see how slate was extracted. It also brings in discussions such as the Victorian times, rock types and formation, transport and provides a unique experience. 

The group looking very studious whilst being taught the history of the Rhiwbach Mines by Matt the instructor. 

Well done to Matt today as he passed his Mine Leader Award, which now allows him to take our groups underground. 

Pack Your Bags

Nothing was getting in the way of the A-Level P.E. students from finishing their two day expedition. A combination of hard work, determination, and steely grit allowed them to battle their way through wind and driving rain. Navigation was practiced throughout the journey and many of the students were able to demonstrate the skills which they had picked up over the previous days. After taking shelter overnight and a second day of walking, the sixth formers were delighted to return to Blue Peris in time for hot showers and Pizza night!

If you would like to learn more about navigation and skills in the mountains, visit our website to see the great mix of courses which we can offer.

Learning Map and Compass Skills - there's no wifi up there!

Getting their bearings

All smiles before setting off on their expedition

Day 2 of the A Level PE / Multi Activity Course

A great day today to be out on the hill teaching A-Level PE mountain walking aspect .

Navigation and even getting some summits in.

Using a compass to measure distance on the map

Group on their way to the top of Yr Aran

Our multi activity group were also out enjoyed the sun with some Sea Level Traversing and kayak surfing.

Having fun at Cable Bay on Angelsey

Sit on top surfing at Porth Nobla on Angelsey

This Weeks Explorers - A Level mountaineers.

Today was the first activity day for a visiting academy at Blue Peris. The fierce Welsh weather provided a mixed day for each of the groups who choose to seek shelter in the climbing wall, the Rhiwbach slate mine, and the tight squeezes in Fachwen Boulders.

The climbers worked hard to improve their technique and challenge each other in the crazy climb arena, while the year nine students braved the wind and rain to squeeze through tiny gaps in some boulders.
The rest of the students got a hands on experience to see the conditions which slate miners used to endure day on day!

Tomorrow the PE- A level hill walking students will begin practicing their skills in the Mountains!

Keeping safe during the slate mine exploration in North Wales

Still happy after a wild day at Blue Peris Outdoor Education Centre!

A Level students aiming for new heights

Lunch in Rhiwbach Slate mine by candle light

Yet another beautiful day in North Wales. We took the opportunity to go and look at some of the climbing venues that we use on a regular basis. Days like this help us to share ideas amongst staff members, look at new climbing venues and hopefully have a laugh!. We even managed to look at and rig a new abseiling venue, which we hope to use with some of the groups who visit Blue Peris for outdoor activities in the future.

The team at Lion Rock- A popular group rock climbing venue.

Laura ( one of our trainees) rigging a rock climb at the top of Lion Rock

Checking out the new abseil site

Stunning views and excitement.

Abseil Training

This morning we braved the elements to go to a local quarry for some abseil training. The different ways of setting up the abseil had to be tested, and who better to try them out than the centre's trainee instructors!

Laura going down, with Baggy.

And then Sam's turn using a different set up.