Cross-Country Camp
Snowdonia (Sept 1973)

The week before school started, while London sweltered, ten runners and two masters set off in the school minibus for the damp mountains of North Wales. Messrs. Ford and Kraushaar led this year's training group of seven St. Nics boys, two pensioners who left in July and a guest from our rivals, Vyners School. We stayed at the Cwm Pennant mountain centre which, since our last visit, has added running water (albeit of an unusual colour) to its catalogue of luxuries.

A pleasant 8 miles run broke us in on the first day. This included the 1,190 ft. mound of rock, bog and waist-high bracken called Craig-y-Garn and a stop for a dip in an icy mountain river. The next day we made our annual ascent of Snowdon, and here thanks are due to Mr. Ford for indulging those members of the party who wanted to go over the awesome Crib Goch ridge.

By mid-day Thursday after a morning sprinting on Black Rock sands, aches, pains and weariness had slowed most people down. However, the team spirit and some rivalry had us on our feet again in the afternoon. Much to everyone's relief we had no race on the last day but instead Mr. Kraushaar led us on a 13 mile mystery tour through the thick mist during which we ran around in a circle (or two) before getting back safely.

The knowledge that we had covered 55 miles in four days made the captain, S. Blackburn, a little complacent as we toured Caernarvon in the afternoon. His mood changed on finding a note attached to the minibus stating that Haberdashers Askes had also been doing some pre-season training.

Everyone went mad on the journey home except yours truly, who was too self-conscious.

Thanks for a very enjoyable camp and good luck this year.

R. F. ALLEN