This years camp was only a short distance away compared to other years so we didn’t have to meet as early as usual. We met at the Scout hut at 8am, after loading the vans we set off at about 8.30am for The Black Mountains.

We arrive at Ty-Hir Scout Campsite around 12.30pm only to find we couldn’t get into the Center (door had been locked inside), so while we waited for the warden to arrive and let us in the Scouts set about pitching the sleeping tents.

We spent the afternoon exploring the site and settling into the Center. In the evening we had a couple of wide games before supper and turning in.

Today was the first of our mountain days. The day started with the ‘Gentle Slope’ of Table Mountain before we set off for the trig. point at Pen Cerrig-calch.

We had lunch here at a height of 701 metres above sea level. After lunch we moved along the ridge to Pen Allt-mawr at a height of 719 metres. From here we made our way down off the ridge (fairly steep in places) to the base of the mountains. We then contoured around the base back to Llanbedr where we were parked.

The bad weather that was forecast for today seemed to hold off, that was until we were on the final leg when it just dumped on us big time. But it was a good day, the views were great. In total we had walked only about 12 Km distance with a total ascent of about 4000 feet during the day. Not bad for those who were new to ‘Gentle Slopes’. In the evening we had a relaxing restful time.

Today it was off to the National Show Caves Centre for Wales at Dan yr Ogof. At the Caves we found there were various attractions we could see, we started to have a look around the three main caves with some fantastic views and formations.

Also at the Show Cave Centre were displays of full size dinosaurs and other pre-historic inhabitants as well as a shire horse Centre which you could explore.

Once back at the Centre and after having our evening meal we had a couple of wide games again before tuning in to get some rest in anticipation of the long mountain day tomorrow.

We woke early and had breakfast and made our packed lunches, ready for the day ahead. Today was mountain day two – the long one !.

We drove a short distance to the end of the Mynydd Du Forest to start the walk.

Here we split into two groups with Martyn leading the younger Scouts along the track to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir, while I took the older Scouts straight up the ‘slope’ to Y Fan and Blacksmith’s Anvil Stone, at a height of only 650 metres. We then walked along the ridge line towards Twyn Talycefn where we joined up with the others before continuing along the ridge to Rhos Dirion Trig Point where we stopped for lunch.

After lunch we moved on around the ridge line before climbing upto Pen Y Manillwyn and Waun Fach, this was our highest point at 810 metres. As we were walking along the top of the mountain the views were very dramatic below us, especially the gliders silently flying very close above us.

The final section of the walk took us to Pen Y Gadair Fawr and then back through the forest on a mountain bike trail to the minibus. A good day in the hills, the weather was good, the views impressive and no complaining from the Scouts. In total I think we covered about 20 Km in distance and reached the summit of Six official mountains – not bad by anybody's standards.

Once back at the Centre –it was decided that the Scouts were smelly after the little walk so baths were required ! – therefore it was on with the swim wear and ALL in the river for a bath.

Today was the on site day so we didn’t have to get up as early as usual !

After breakfast the Scouts set about collecting any wood they could find ready for the backwoods cooking.

Once the fire was lit and a big bed of ashes had been built up it was time to start our backwoods dinner of sausages on sticks, twists and egg in potato –

As always this was a long lunch due to the time it takes some Scouts to get organized but I think it was enjoyed by everyone.

We then had a full Roast for the evening meal followed by a few indoor games and freetime.

Today was the Caving day at Porth Yr Ogof, it was our earliest start of the week as we had to be at the caves for 10am and they were about 40 miles away from the campsite.

Once at the cave we split into two groups so that the instructor could take one group in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The caves were very much different to the one we use in Devon, as this was an active cave with the river still flowing through it. This was made clear to us when we entered the cave to see how clean the rocks were and the vast amounts of debris and fallen trees that had been swept into the cave by the water.

The cave had all the normal choice of routes you could pick some large and some ‘small’ and of course we tried them all. Each route or passage had it’s own name which usually left nothing to the imagination – such as Letterbox, Toilet, Somebody’s Squeeze etc.

This proved to be a good day for caving as it was the only day of the week we had any rain – and lots of it. But the caving was good – it is always nice to get down a different cave !

This morning it was another underground session – this time it was off to ‘Big Pit’ Coal Mine, here we were able to have a look around above ground at a whole range of machinery and displays of working life down a coal mine over the years.

Then we put on helmets and lamps and it was off down underground for a guided tour of the mine workings. This proved to be very informative and interesting to see how people had to work in days gone by – but we were not allowed to take camera or watches or lighters etc underground due to the risk of explosions – after all this was still very much a real mine – it just didn’t produce any economical coal any more.

After lunch we went to Crickhowell to do some shopping – not many shops here !

 Saturday 2^nd September

Time to go home – after another lie in, it was up, have breakfast and then start to pack up and go home.

We left the campsite at about 11am after some of the party said a fond farewell to the sheep.

We arrived back at the Scout Hut at about 4pm, where we offloaded the kit before going home tired.

 Conclusion

This was another very enjoyable camp. As with other camps - I enjoyed myself and would like to thank all the others leaders and helpers for all their efforts during the camp. I can't wait for next year.