Whether you’re preparing for your first big expedition or adding another challenge to a growing list, this weekend is designed to help you feel more confident, capable and ready for what lies ahead.

You’ll have the chance to ask the questions that matter, check your kit, explore different gear options and pick up practical advice that can make a real difference on expedition. From trekking skills and altitude awareness to cold-weather preparation, technical equipment and the realities of long days on the mountain, you’ll learn from people who have lived it.

You’ll be guided by Everest Summiteer Jo Bradshaw, alongside Adventurous Ewe founders Jim Young and Sue Blunt, drawing on their combined experience across high-altitude trekking, climbing, Arctic adventures and expedition travel.

Set in the mountains of Eryri | Snowdonia, you’ll also spend valuable time outdoors, putting skills into practice and sharing the weekend with fellow adventurers preparing for their own journeys.

You’ll leave with practical knowledge, greater confidence, new connections and a much clearer sense of what to expect when your expedition begins.

Once you book your Expedition Training Weekend, you’ll get access to Vamoos, our free travel app and a great introduction to the platform you’ll use for your upcoming expedition too.

Through Vamoos, you can keep all your important trip information in one place, including your itinerary, training guide, countdowns, live updates, contact details, weather forecasts, kit lists and more.

It means less paperwork, fewer documents to carry and everything you need for your adventure available at your fingertips, 24/7 from your phone.

Your app content is tailored to your expedition, so you can start getting familiar with it during the training weekend before using it again for the adventure ahead.

You’ll spend the weekend with an experienced team who know what it takes to prepare for big adventures, from the first kit check to the final steps of a summit night.

Jo Bradshaw is a 7 Summiteer who has climbed the highest mountain on every continent, including Everest. She brings a huge depth of high-altitude, expedition and mountain experience, along with practical advice that comes from years spent preparing for and undertaking major climbs.

Jim Young is the Founder and Director of Adventurous Ewe. He has spent years creating, recceing and leading adventures around the world, with extensive experience in trekking, expedition planning, logistics and supporting people through demanding challenges.

Sue Blunt is your Expedition Host and brings broad experience across adventure travel and expeditions. She’ll help with the finer details, practical questions and those niggly pre-trip concerns that can make such a difference to how prepared you feel.

Together, Jo, Jim and Sue bring a balance of technical knowledge, expedition experience and practical support, giving you plenty of opportunity to ask questions, learn from real experiences and build confidence for the journey ahead.

We keep our groups small enough for you to get plenty of time with the team, ask questions and learn in a supportive environment, while still enjoying the energy and camaraderie of preparing alongside other adventurers.

The minimum group size for this Expedition Training Weekend is 10 people, with a maximum of 30.

You’re very welcome to join on your own, with a friend, family member or colleague. Many people arrive solo and quickly become part of the group.

If you have a group of 10 or more and would prefer your own private weekend, we can tailor the training around your specific expedition, destination and team.

For more information or to chat about a bespoke Expedition Training Weekend, email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

The Expedition Training Weekend is graded Medium/Tough, but the focus is very much on learning rather than performance.

You’ll spend time developing practical skills, building confidence and understanding how to move safely and efficiently in the mountains. Winter conditions in Eryri | Snowdonia can add to the challenge, and the weekend may include a night walk to help simulate the experience of a summit night on expedition.

A good level of fitness will help you get the most from the weekend, but you don’t need to be an expert or experienced mountaineer to take part.

A full kit list will be provided when you book, giving you plenty of time to prepare and make sure you have the right equipment for the weekend.

Good kit can make a big difference to how comfortable and confident you feel in the mountains. Well worn-in waterproof hiking boots are essential, along with a good-quality waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.

You’ll also have the opportunity to talk through your kit during the weekend and get practical advice on what works well, what may need upgrading and what to consider for your expedition ahead.

If you’d like to see kit in person, you can visit our partner store, Crib Goch Outdoors in Llanberis, where you can get expert advice and try different options before you buy.

You’ll also benefit from Adventurous Ewe partnerships with Crib Goch Outdoors and LOWA hiking boots, with exclusive discounts available when you book.

Weather in Eryri | Snowdonia can change quickly, especially during the winter months, so you should be prepared for a full range of conditions including rain, wind, cold, low cloud and, at times, wintery conditions.

In the week leading up to your weekend, we recommend checking the Mountain Weather Information Service for the latest mountain forecast and arriving with the kit needed to stay warm, dry and comfortable.

Your Leader/s may change the planned itinerary if weather or mountain conditions require it. Your safety and wellbeing always come first, and where changes are necessary, the best possible alternative arrangements will be made while keeping the learning objectives and spirit of the weekend intact.

A flexible approach is an important part of the experience and, in many ways, part of the learning too.

You’ll spend two nights at The Rocks at Plas Curig in Capel Curig, right in the heart of Eryri | Snowdonia National Park.

The Rocks was created as a home away from home for curious explorers, with a strong sense of community at its heart. That makes it a great fit for your Expedition Training Weekend – relaxed, welcoming and surrounded by mountains from the moment you step outside.

You’ll stay in comfortable shared rooms with thoughtfully designed built-in bunk beds, each with its own privacy curtain to give you a little personal space. The rooms are warm, welcoming and well set up for a weekend in the mountains, with shared bathroom facilities and a relaxed, sociable feel.

For a comfortable stay, your bed will be made up with linen, a hypoallergenic pillow and duvet, with wool blankets also provided. Each bunk has its own reading light and access to sockets, while the rooms also feature Wi-Fi, soundproofed windows and adjustable radiators. All bedrooms are non-smoking.

A self-serve breakfast is included on both mornings, giving you the chance to fuel up before heading into the hills.

Dinner is not included. Depending on the plans for the evening, you may head to a local pub or order a takeaway, giving you a relaxed chance to eat together and continue the conversation from the day.

Location

The Rocks sits beneath Moel Siabod in the mountain village of Capel Curig, surrounded by some of the most dramatic landscapes in Eryri.

From here, you’re perfectly placed for the weekend’s mountain sessions, with easy access to surrounding ranges including the Glyderau, Carneddau and Moelwynion. The hostel itself has a long connection with outdoor travellers; the building dates back to 1903 and later became a YHA hostel before being transformed into the independently owned hostel you’ll stay in today.

Betws-y-Coed is around five miles away, while Yr Wyddfa and the wider mountain landscape are within easy reach.

Getting there by train and bus

If you’re travelling by public transport, you can take the train to Llandudno Junction and change for Betws-y-Coed. From Betws-y-Coed, you can continue by taxi or take the S2 Sherpa bus, which stops outside the hostel.

Alternatively, you can travel to Bangor and continue by taxi. Direct trains from London Euston to Bangor take around 3 hours 20 minutes.

The Rocks at Plas Curig
Capel Curig
Betws-y-Coed
North Wales
LL24 0EL

Two self-serve breakfasts and a packed lunch on Day 2 are included during your Expedition Training Weekend.

Dinner is not included on either evening. Depending on the plans for the group, you may head to a local pub or order a takeaway, giving you the chance to relax, refuel and catch up together after the day.

Please bring your own snacks and water flavouring you’d like to have with you during the weekend.

If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know at least one month before the weekend so we can make sure the included food is suitable.

Please also bring your own reusable water bottle, hydration bladder or similar, plus a flask if you’d like a hot drink on the hill. You’ll be able to refill at The Rocks throughout the weekend, helping to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles.

The impact of single use plastic is having on our landscape, wildlife and oceans, it is now more important than ever that we all make changes in order to help our planet. We may not be a huge global company but we’re passionate about playing our part and trying to make a huge difference collectively. Together we can dramatically reduce our consumption of single use plastics and support our responsible travel ethos of ‘Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but boot-prints, keep nothing but memories.’

You can make a difference too with taking part in this Training Weekend and purchasing one of these environmentally friendly reusable alternative bottles compared to single-use plastic water bottles. Grab a Water-to-Go bottle through Adventurous Ewe and receive a 15% discount. Even better, Water-to-Go will donate a further 15% to our charity partner, Cool Earth. For more info please visit Adventurous Ewe – Water to Go Partnership or email us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk to buy your Water-To-Go bottle.

The total cost of your Expedition Training Weekend is £265 per person.

• Deposit: £95 per person is required when you book and is non-refundable.
• Remaining balance: £170 per person is due no later than 35 days before your training weekend starts.