ONMAS 2010

ONMAS 2010 was a camp ran by Ormskirk Network to Snowdonia in North Wales. The weekend was ran as our linking event for the year with the Explorer Scouts. The organising was mostly done by me(recruitment and booking) and Forshaw(logistics and mountain stuff). The weekend was based around the idea of DESA which was a camp that used to run a few years ago aimed at getting explorers out on adventurous activities.

When we arrived on the friday night it was like a tornado was brewing outside. There was thankfully a old rickity shed near by for us to shelter behind, but this only added to suspense that we where fast becoming engrossed in a horror/disaster movie.

Although the ten minute walk was a complete ballache in these conditions I actually think it was a great experience to look back on(definitely type 2 fun). The walk made sure we all had a story to bond over and something to laugh about together as a group and there was a real sense of togetherness, once we had all got dry and warm of course.

The bunkhouse was almost everything we wanted it to be. It was really nice, really secluded and there was a real sense of wilderness which where big ticks for us. Sadly we had problems with the heating over the weekend but I certainly think it was still more than enough for what we needed.

On the saturday we knew the weather was going to be horrendous. So we all decided to take a walk up Mount Snowdon. The walk would involve us walking in two groups(fast and slow apparently) and set off up the pyg track, onto the top, and then down directly to the bunkhouse. Everyone seemed to have a good day and really made the most of the conditions. We also got some snow and hail which was nice, a telling fact that winter is on its way. I dont know what to make of the new Snowdon summit cafe however, it was a bit posh and really took some shine off the summit proper for me. It was ice to get warm and dry though. Like posh Alps but in Wales.

Saturday night we had some good food and one of the hottest fires I have ever sat near. The coal was definitely a good idea. The Bunkhouse was boiling that night which I think is what we all needed. The only downside was my throat was sore for about a week after due to all the smoke.

Sunday the weather was much better and we got to go and do our planned mass assault on Tryfan. We split into three groups this time and we would all take slightly different routes up Tryfans North Ridge. Our initial plan was to try and all meet up on the summit for photos but we never really thought the chances of that would be likely. However just before we got to the final climb to the top, all three groups met up and managed to get to the summit as one big group which was really a great moment for the trip. For the people who had never climbed Tryfan before the mountain seemed to have them pumped and fully caught up with the big mountaineering day bug(which was the intent) for me, it just had me shattered. Summit photos over we all made our way down to the bus and got ourselves on the road.

As a final and true ending to the trip we managed to spread the word of a KFC nearby to all three of the vehicles, just in time so that we could all pull over and have a group KFC. This was by far my highlight of the weekend. Emma Cairns tried KFC for the first time, Andy and Jacob destroyed a bucket between them, Charles(insisting he doesnt like chicken) at KFC on a network trip for the second time and me, Barry and Matt had a side of Chicken with our Chicken.

All in all a great weekend was had by all. We ticked most of our boxes we had set out to tick(all but break even really) and I am sure it will go on to be a bigger and better weekend next year.

Thanks must go to Ken Spencer for doing the Catering and Mini Bus driving and Julie and Andy for assisting Matt on the hill with their tickets.

The group posing outside the Bunkhouse.