Useful information from the Wales Expedition Network on the Brecon Beacons Welcome! For more information, please contact the Wales Expedition Network: Beverley Williams-Pugh Wales Assessor Network Administration Officer Swyddog Gweinyddu Rhwydwaith Asesu Cymru (P/T: Monday/Wednesday/Friday) (R/A: Dydd Llyn/Mercher/Gwener) The Duke of Edinburgh s Award Wales / Cymru E: Walesexpeds@dofe.org T: 01874 623086 This document provides information to assist with the planning of expeditions in the Beacons expedition area, South Wales. It is understood that approval from the Licenced Organisation will be obtained in all cases and that the Supervisors are responsible for the safety of the venture. It is the responsibility of the Licenced Organisation to determine the levels of qualifications required by Supervisors, dependent on the area in which teams are operating. You are advised to carefully read the notes on the Green Form, which will in turn guide you through the notification process. When you are ready to submit your information please read through your green form carefully and ensure that all sections have been completed. In making your submission it is understood that you will have ensured the following: 1. All routes will have been checked by a technically competent individual ensuring right of access at all times. 2. Permission for your venture, has been granted by your licenced organisation, including approval of your supervision arrangements. 3. Area specific information on this information sheet will have been read and understood. 4. Routes will be of the appropriate duration and length regarding level of award and the balance between distance and time spent on aim of venture is realistic. 5. The routes are appropriate to the level of training and experience of the individuals and comply with the recommended environment for the level of award. March 2016 Page 1
6. Permission for camping will be obtained in all cases Further information can be obtained from the DofE Handbook for DofE Leaders and The DofE Expedition Guide, both are available online from the DofE Shop. How to submit Venture Documentation. For unaccompanied/remotely supervised expeditions At least 6 weeks before your expedition (4 weeks for notification only): - One current version Green Form per team fully completed and signed by your DofE Leader/Supervisor, not by a member of the expedition team. - A visual representation of the route this can be OS 1:25000 or 1:50,000, Memory Map.mmo files,.gpx files or a map scan/photocopy. In any case these should include grid co-ordinates, grid references showing the start, all camp sites, the finish, the location, bad weather alternate routes, escape routes and the direction of travel. Emailing is fine generic mapping system files such as.gpx can also be accepted and of course the new DofE mapping system is now available through edofe https://www.edofe.org/profile/loguser.aspx - this will allow you to save routes in a variety of formats. At least 2 weeks before your expedition: - Route cards to the approved format with grid references, distances etc. These should clearly describe escape routes - Evidence of appropriate Foul Weather Route Planning A report from edofe must be made available before the expedition for the Assessor to view training taken to date and to sign off at the end. You must allow sufficient time in your schedule for this to happen. General advice If you have not provided all of the above, please take immediate steps to do so - delay or late submissions could result may result in an inability to provide one of our volunteer Assessors. The Wales Assessor Network Administration Officer will issue a notification number for all confirmed ventures. In issuing this notification number the DofE does not accept responsibility for the safety of the teams. This responsibility lies with the supervisor and the Licenced Organisation. You will have signed the green form confirming that, the group are suitably experienced and equipped for the venture and that all arrangements relating to supervision and approval are in place. If you are in any doubt as to the extent of your responsibilities you should refer urgently to your Licenced Organisation guidelines. Qualifying Expeditions All qualifying expeditions must be assessed by an accredited assessor and at the Gold level this assessor must always be totally independent of the DofE group and not associated with it in any way. If you are arranging your own assessor you must include their accreditation number on the green form. March 2016 Page 2
The DofE network manages a group of local volunteers who can provide an assessment for your teams. If you require a local assessor the Area Co-ordinator will contact the volunteer Assessor Team to find an Assessor who will act on behalf of the DofE for your expedition. Once an Assessor has agreed to do this they will contact you using the information on the Green Form and all correspondence you have sent to the Wales Assessor Network Administration Officer will be sent on to them. All further correspondence regarding your expedition should then be sent directly to the Assessor and not the Area Co-ordinator. As you can appreciate all this takes time so the more notice you can give, the less pressure you find yourselves under to amend and change any problems that may arise in the route submitted. Six weeks notice is required if you would like to request a network assessor and you must ensure that you have purchased the correct Assessment Fee Voucher from the DofE shop - www.dofeshop.org and added to code to the box on the front page of the green form. The Assessor will notify you of any problems that may be foreseen in the route you have chosen. Once the route is finalised, you can then submit/amend route cards, menus etc, to the Assessor. The route cards and all other information that is required should reach him/her no later than four weeks before your venture. You will also need to arrange with the Assessor to meet for a preventure check of your knowledge and equipment. This check can take up to two hours so please be prepared. Late or incomplete applications will result in delay and could result in us being unable to assess your expedition. This section provides details of the types of expeditions that can be undertaken in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Please note that if the expedition is unaccompanied and not to be assessed by the Wales Expedition Network, the Wales Assessor Network Administration Officer should still be notified on Green Forms. Walking Walking expeditions at all levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) can be undertaken. Please note that participants at Bronze and Silver must be trained to Gold level standards, which includes having completed a practice in Wild Country prior to qualifying expeditions. Cycling Cycling expeditions at all levels can be undertaken. Please note that participants at Bronze and Silver must be trained to Gold level standards. Please do not to use Offa s Dyke as there is a great deal of erosion along this route. Horse riding Horse riding expeditions at all levels can be undertaken. Please note that participants at Bronze and Silver must be trained to Gold level standards. March 2016 Page 3
Areas to be avoided and hazards to be noted when planning ventures. Wild Camping As with elsewhere in the UK groups can camp wherever they like as long as they have the permission of the landowner. In the National Park the main landowners are the Park Authority and Forestry Commission who will not grant permission to Wild Camp. There is a wild campsite Llech Llia, on Cnewr Estate land, at Grid Ref SN 922193 but permission needs to be sought prior to using the site. The site is informal and can only be used for 28 days in the year - Cnewr Estate can be contacted at 01874 636448 (Rachel Chapel). There are also campsites on farmer owned land which are suitable for Gold Ventures that generally comprise of very basic or no amenities. Ventures that include unsanctioned campsites will not be approved. Please consult our general campsite lists found on our website. Some general care points in and around the Beacons area that may affect your venture Risk assessments of these routes is recommended prior to expeditions taking place. We have been advised that many parts of the disused railway lines in the National Park are now under private ownership and therefore cannot be assumed to be footpaths. When planning a route, please ensure that any bridges are public rights of way. One or two groups recently have used private bridges, which has annoyed their owners. There have been access issues due to a landslip on the disused railway embankment at GR 865182 between Penwyllt and Bwlch Bryn-rhudd where the railway meets the A4067. Please check current access situation with Brecon Beacons National Park. The Twrch River crossing at around 802197 can be impassable safely in wet conditions as it is quite wide. There are other tributaries of the Giedd that are similarly hazardous following rain at 813184, and 811185. These can be circumnavigated by dropping around 810178 where the river drops underground allowing safer passage. You are advised to avoid the area around Bronwydd Farm 896100 above Pont Nedd Fechan as footpaths are in a poor state and landowners have complained about groups entering their land to circumnavigate the paths. My understanding is that some rectification work is being carried out but this may take some time. The public right of way in the eastern Beacons (OL13) from 256246 to 242234 is completely blocked in places, especially through the wooded area, and the green public rights of way have been planted over in the access forest to the NE. The descent from 260237 seems ok. You are advised that the footpath approaching from the South to Noyaddllwyd Farm 286250 i.e. on the right of way running from Ty Ddraenen on the minor road to Noyaddllwyd does not pass through the farm and stops 35m short. This area is poorly serviced by navigable paths and groups are best advised to plan routes away from the area. Please also take care when parking your vehicles while in the Beacons remember this is an agricultural area and large vehicles need to pass quite often for example 1. We have had complaints from the owner at Cwm Mawr farm North of Tretower where DofE vehicles (particularly buses) have parked at the top of the lane (203212) leading to his farm with the result that while cars can pass, his agricultural vehicles were unable to do so. March 2016 Page 4
2. There have also been complaints regarding DofE parking particularly with Mini-Buses particularly the small car parking space at the rear of Cwmyoy church. (299233) Supervisors should meet groups at some of the more accessible parking spots in the valley and avoid the very narrow steep lanes around Cwmyoy church especially on a Sunday Morning. Please ensure if you have occasion to use this or any other access point that you leave ample space for these vehicles to pass. If there is any doubt that access is being restricted, park elsewhere or ensure an authorised driver is in attendance. There have also been problems with damage caused to gates and messages left taped to gates and other places. Also GATES, GATES, GATES livestock control relies on gates being controlled and left in the position in which they are found i.e closed if they are found closed. This year we are being inundated with landowner and National Park Authority complaints of gates being left open this may result in restrictions being placed in certain areas - which will in turn result in problems planning routes with this restricted access please be aware that we rely heavily on the goodwill of local landowners and cannot afford to treat their property with less than the greatest of respect. LITTER We are getting a growing number of complaints of litter left by participants we get over 1500 DofE teams each season passing through this part of the world even one sweet wrapper per group makes a big difference please take all litter away and dispose of it with thought and care. We would strongly recommend that Supervisors monitor all potential litter carried by participants and ensure this is taken away and disposed of in an appropriate manner. In addition we would encourage the collection of any litter by the groups so that the pristine nature of the Welsh countryside can be maintained. Human Waste This is unpleasant at best when encountered in the wild, watercourses especially are a source of drinking water and a home for wildlife. Please follow these simple rules. Defecate and/or urinate at lease 50 metres from paths, at least 200 metres from huts or crags and at least 30 metres away from running water. Dig a hole at least 15cm (6 ) deep to bury excrement do not use enclosed spaces such as caves or buildings, replace turf disturbed by digging. Use a proper toilet whenever an opportunity arises more information on this can be found at www.thebmc.co.uk Please ensure your groups are very aware that they are visitors to this beautiful part of the world and they need to respect the individuals, farmers and animals who keep it that way, so that future groups can enjoy the same untainted landscape. DofE resources The current DofE expedition kit list can be downloaded from: www.dofe.org/go/expeditionkit A range of expedition downloads, such as the Green Form and spare expedition safety cards, can be downloaded from: www.dofe.org/go/downloads Further information of the Expedition section can be found at: www.dofe.org/expedition March 2016 Page 5