The Perfect Storm

It felt like a bit of a whirlwind day today at Blue Peris, with our first set of students heading to the climbing wall for a taste of top-rope climbing & bouldering whilst our second set of students arrived at the centre. A simultaneous wave goodbye and a welcoming smile ensued!

Team 2 ready to set sail on their newly-crafted rafts

The weather did not greet the students as well as the instructors however, as the groups swiftly departed from the centre and down to Llyn Padarn for some team building exercises and to battle against the oncoming storm. 

Dark clouds loomed but the teams continued on, completing all of their tasks, enabling them to earn materials to construct their vessels.

Avoiding the storm on Llyn Padarn

Whilst out on the water all the teams worked well to navigate their way to various destinations.

Success for team 3 having reached all of their points on the map!

Success for all the teams having weathered the storm and stayed afloat throughout, albeit a little damp after the compulsory splashing toward the end of the afternoon!

Great Gorge Gathering

After a quiet night at Blue Peris the groups were well rested and after a great day yesterday were all buzzing to get out on their mystery activity, but what was it?

Gorge scrambling!

The groups were soon suited up an off on a stunning drive over to the Avon Ddu or the 'Black River'

Rushing out of centre mean no time to shower - quickly rectified in the  gorge.

The groups were working on the same aims as yesterday with a real focus on communication and working as a whole group supporting each other with minimal input from the instructors to give them a real feel of ownership.  The groups stepped up to the mark and worked very well today. Under the watchful eyes of Blue Peris staff the students from Liverpool helped each other up waterfalls, supported each other along rocky traverses and even belayed each other up rock faces all with great instructions, briefs and feedback given by the students.

Future instructors / leaders in the making?

To top the day off the students were rewarded with stunning views and a pool to jump into at the top of the gorge. Then it was back to centre to prepare for tomorrows activity, which is..?

Well, all I can tell you, is that it involved bit of old aeroplane tyres.

Team 3 having a blast in the gorge.

November- No way ! Its far to warm and sunny

Today the group arrive from Liverpool in record time and were straight out on mystery activities!

The group are here to work on their reflective practice, teamwork and time management whilst they get the know their new year group. All in an unseasonably sunny Snowdonia, where we have marked the first few days of November with a heatwave, surely better than lectures no!?

Its KNOT as easy as it looks you know!

Once they returned with vouchers from the orienteering markers for materials to build rafts no time was wasted in constructing lake worthy vessels to transport the team to undisclosed checkpoints around the sun lit lake.

After some brief teamwork orientated 'brain teasers' the students were sent off to use their brains, maps and teamwork to find some orienteering markers down at Llyn Padarn. With not enough time to get them all in one group would they split up and get back on time? Of course they did - and with time to spare!

Tip top teamwork & timing 

To prove they had reached the checkpoints they were given the cameras to document their triumphs. What trip to North Wales would be complete without a Snowdon selfie?

Super smiley students Snowdon selfie!

Made it to the checkpoint - quick! Get a photo!

 Once the checkpoints were completed the group headed back to the minibuses as the sun was setting, a beautiful first day wasn't finished yet.  Once the groups were back and sorted they began their reflective practice workshops discussing how to improve their efforts for future team tasks.

Stunning scenery and terrific teamwork

What's in store for the students tomorrow? They have no idea so you'll have to wait and find out!

Passed

Today we passed our AALA - Adventure Activity Licensing inspection. This requirement by HSE means we are able to operate until our next inspection in 2017.

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) came into existence in April 1996. It is currently sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Health and Safety Executive is currently designated as the AALA.

Adventure activities licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety management practices.

These should allow young people to experience exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks of death or disabling injury.

Full details visit the AALA website

Always on the go

Even on their days' off centre staff are keen to get out . Saturday a small team went off to explore Hendre calcite and flurospar mine. Situated on the way to Chester, this old mine proved to be a great adventure.

From entering the mine via an old ladder and a short crawl , we started to explore various passage ways and came across some impressive chambers / stopes that the miners had excavated.

Dropping down another 3 levels we ended up at the flooded lower floor, but still had plenty of options to explore.  Using the ladders in the picture proved to be a very interesting way down.

The mine stopped working in 1981. The picture below shows the team descending the in situ ladders that the miners left behind.

North Wales mining adventure at Blue Peris Mountain Centre

Fluorspar is a commercial term for the mineral. fluorite (calcium fluoride, CaF2) which, when pure, contains 51.1% Ca and 48.9% F. It is the most important and only UK source of the element fluorine (F). There are three main grades – acid, metallurgical and ceramic.

Fun Embargo Broken

A serious situation occurred today when fun was banned for the day. Unfortunately some of the groups had issues dealing with this sanction and actually went out and had a whale of a time.

Needed a wash. In the washing machine, think someone is smiling though.

Definitely looking like fun, minus ten points.

Experiencing the dark down the mine.

Again way too much fun, minus twenty points this time.

Looks a bit more serious, keep it up.

At last, someone hard at work down the mine. Starting a drill hole with a jumper. Solid effort.

Day 2 in the Blue Peris House

The second day for our group at Blue Peris this week gave the teams another chance to explore the diverse and challenging areas that Snowdonia has to offer.

Teams left nice and early from the centre after the youngsters had managed to organise themselves much more efficiently today!

Suited and booted, we had groups tackling the Gerionydd gorge, Wrysgan mine, Lion Rock crag and Lake Padarn all of whom did extremely well within their respective activity.

It was a busy night at the centre with all groups also participating in evening activities of which included the Low Ropes course, the Nightline & The Egg Drop challenge!

Working together at Lion Rock

Plenty of fun to be had in the gorge!

Upon reaching the entrance to Wrysgan mine.

"It's afloat!" Raft building at Lake Padarn

Construction phase.