// Trip Reports  

Report name	Ysgol Bro Myrddin - Slovakia 2004
Date submitted	Aug-04

Our Duke of Edinburgh expedition begins in Praha, Prague to you and me, the Capital of the Czech Republic. After being treated to an electrifying lightening storm we boarded the night train bound for Poprad in Slovakia, and began the first exciting and unique stage of our journey. The night train gets you to Poprad in around nine hours, with perfect views of the Tatra High Mountains as you approach in the early hours of the morning. Stunning and maybe slightly nerve rendering for the group from Guernsey that made up part of our team. Mountains are significantly lacking on the Island of Guernsey!

From the accommodation, to the transport system, only around 35 pence for a return train ticket, to the mountains themselves, the Tatra’s are a fantastic place to complete your DofE Gold Expedition. The routes are varied and interesting, ranging from low level tracks through the thick pine forests to mountain paths zig-zagging their way up the steep hillsides to beautiful views from the summits and cols.

Night camps consisted of staying in Chata’s (mountain huts), which supply all the basic necessities and allow groups to cook outside. As with the tracks some of the Chata’s are low down the mountain sides, whilst others nestle deep in high sided valleys, directly below some of the highest peaks in the area. Once again the views and atmosphere are stunning.

Like any mountain range the weather is unpredictable and can change very quickly. The teams were exposed to a whole range of weather conditions, on one day experiencing a snow storm, then rain, then sun, the rain again. The majority of the time though, it was overcast but warm and made for excellent walking conditions for people with large rucksacks.

The expedition was a fantastic success, with all participants completing the journey without any major difficulties. The group had a great time as did we the instructors. With post expedition relaxation days consisting of, swimming in outdoor pools and visiting Prague’s Old Town District, who could ask for more.

Doug McGraghan
Expedition Leader