Staff Backpacking Training  24th and 25th July 2007, Beudy Mawr, Nant Peris, Wales.

The aim of this training was to product test a variety of tents, rucksacks and stoves to ensure a comprehensive knowledge when advising our customers.

The training began with us all arriving at the Beudy Mawr Backpackers hut, at the foot of the Llanberis Pass, on the Monday evening.  The introductions included Anna and Jane (Mail Order), Mark (Castlefield), Katie (The North Face Manchester), Caroline (Chester), Scott (Tower House), Phil (Kensington), Rob (Bristol) and Olli (Capel Curig).

The morning began with a hearty breakfast, the filling of many Camelbak and Platypus bladders and on to the serious business of choosing accommodation for the evening (very important when one finds oneself up the side of a mountain). The tents we were given to test consisted of a Merlin 33, a VE 25 and a Tadpole 23, all by The North Face.  They were quite light to carry, therefore certainly suitable for backpacking, and proved very easy to erect.  Most poles and tabs were colour-coded making them pretty much idiot-proof.

Then on to the trying of the rucksacks which included the Berghaus Antaeus, Osprey Luna, Ariel and Crescent and The North Face Terra series.  This took quite a while to ensure everyone had a correctly fitted pack due to the weight we were all carrying.  We soon realized the importance of getting a pack that fits you well as when carrying lots of kit you need to be as comfortable as possible.  Most of the packs had adjustable back lengths which helped immensely.  They also had plenty of exterior straps for attaching Thermarest sleeping mats and tents to.

The stoves included Jet Boil, both the group system and an individual, the XGK Expedition stove and the Pocket Rocket by MSR with GoSystems cookware and Wayfayrer food in various flavours. The Light My Fire Sporks were also very handy.

After sharing out all the kit, we went to Aber Falls and parked up.  We walked for an hour up the valley towards a local lake (Llyn Anafon) before setting up camp.  We set up camp in one of the old dry stone walled sheep pens, unfortunately still used by the local sheep!  We then proceeded up the valley and towards Drum for a bit of a stroll before arriving back in time for tea.  It was a very clear day and the views were amazing.  We could even see the Isle Of Man in the distance!

The morning after the night before was a little drizzly as we huddled up to eat breakfast-in-a-bag! Then as the time arrived to take down the tents the sun began to shine.  Then it was either up the hill or a stroll down to the café and the group divided at this point with Anna, Katy and Mark proving the only ones with enough energy for another scramble up and over Pen Bryn-du.  Then it was back to the Rucksack Club for debrief and re-packing before heading home.

Once again many thanks to Brian and Nigel for their expertise and hopefully see you all soon.

Jane and Anna, Mail Order