BLOG

Refugees Conquer Moel Siabod with Pen Y Bryn!

On June 15th, Pen Y Bryn teamed up with the Snowdonia Society and Pobl i Bobl to organise a hike up Moel Siabod in the stunning Eryri National Park for a group of refugees. The event was such a celebration of resilience and hope, and also a big thank you for all the volunteer work they’ve done in Eryri.

We really wanted to give these amazing folks a chance to soak in the beauty and peace of the Welsh mountains. They’ve been through so much, and this hike was a perfect way to offer them a therapeutic escape.

The weather couldn’t have been better – clear skies and sunshine made for perfect hiking conditions. Our group, all geared up and buzzing with excitement, started the climb from the base of Moel Siabod. We chose a route that was easy enough for everyone to join in, no matter their fitness level. One highlight of the adventure was suddenly needing to layer up with waterproofs half way up the Daear Ddu Ridge on Siabod as the sun turned to hail!

Our Pen Y Bryn instructors were their usual amazing selves, sharing some interesting facts about the local environment along the way and making sure everyone felt supported. The climb had its tough moments, but everyone was so determined and were fantastic at cheering each other on. People shared their stories, cultures, and dreams along the way, which made the hike even more special. The Snowdonia Society folks were impressed too, saying, “The instructors were really great. I appreciated the balance of freedom, guidance and support they gave to the group, helping to get the most out of their mountain experience. They were really excellent with slower group members too and helped keep everyone’s spirits buoyed up.”

Reaching the top of Moel Siabod was such a huge achievement. The panoramic views of our beautiful countryside were absolutely stunning and felt like the perfect reward. For many of the refugees, the journey up had some moments of uncertainty and hardship, much like their journeys in life so far, so standing on that summit with new friends was a powerful symbol of their strength and hope for a brighter future.

Jen Willis, from the Snowdonia Society, added, “Thank you so much to Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC for a fantastic mountain day. Our group was very well supported and enabled to get the most out of our adventure, leading to a really good day. Would highly recommend. Really positive, understanding and supportive leadership!”

We’re so proud of everyone who joined us for this incredible day. Here’s to many more adventures together!

Share the Post: