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Calling All Adventurers!

You are invited to Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre between Friday 10th and Sunday 12th November! The Symposium is for anyone looking to plan a big expedition. Workshops include food and fuelling, safety, injury prevention, bushcraft, and more. Evenings will be full of lectures, discussion, and delicious food. You can stay on to continue your exped preparation with Big Wall Climbing or Alpine Preparation Courses commencing the week following the Symposium.

This weekend will equip you with everything you need to embark on your first or next expedition, and allow you to meet fellow adventurers and brands.

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What Does the Weekend Involve?

The Expedition Symposium is set to start on the evening of Friday 10th November with an exhilarating start featuring the 2023 Brit Rock Film Tour. Prepare to be captivated by a remarkable showcase of the finest climbing and adventure films that the UK has to offer.

As we move into the weekend, Saturday and Sunday will be filled with diverse interactive workshops led by our esteemed instructors, renowned brands, and distinguished VIP guests. Saturday evening promises an enlightening experience as you listen to the captivating narratives of Mick Fowler and Olly Sanders, who will generously share their wealth of experiences and stories to ignite the spark for your next adventure.

Get equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for your next or first expedition

Mix with expedition experts and brands

Meet fellow adventurers

What Workshops Are On Offer?

When arriving at the Symposium on Friday evening or Saturday morning, you will be able to select your workshops! All workshops will take place on Saturday and Sunday, so you can mix and match over the course of the weekend. Take your pick from the below:

  • Himalayan Expedition Logistics
  • Applying for Grants
  • Staying Healthy
  • Injury Prevention
  • Communication and Safety
  • Filming and Documenting Your Trip
  • Fuel, Food and Fluids
  • Expedition and Mountain Kit - Himalayan
  • Expedition and Mountain Kit - Paddle
  • Planning and Logistics
  • Bushcraft
  • First Aid
  • Thermal Comfort in Uncomfortable Places
  • Pack Rafts

Please note the workshops are subject to change.

Get Inspired With Our Evening Talks

Join mountaineer and climber, Mick Fowler,  to hear his talk about his journey into the vertical world titled, 'A Climbing Life'. We'll also be joined by accomplished paddler, climber and President of the Arctic Club, Olly Sanders for his talk titled, 'Expeditioning Journeys'.

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"I'VE DONE MANY EXPEDITIONS OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS, WHICH INCLUDE ALPINE CLIMBING, HIMILAYAN CLIMBING AND SEA KAYAKING. I'M CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARCTIC CLUB AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG ADVENTURERS TO UNDERTAKE EXPEDITIONS. WE'VE GOT LOADS OF WORKSHOPS DURING THE EXPEDITION SYMPOSIUM AT PLAS Y BRENIN TO GIVE YOU ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU NEED FROM EXPERIENCED EXPEDITIONERS SHARING THEIR TOP TIPS." - OLLY SANDERS

Weekend Agenda

Friday:

  • Arrive: For those driving, you’re able to park in any of the designated parking spaces at Plas y Brenin and also in the surrounding lay-bys (Address: Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, Capel Curig, LL24 0ET).
  • 5.30 PM onwards: Check-in for residential guests (please note that you are welcome to arrive any time on Friday to use our bar and other facilities). Food available until 8.30 PM.
  • 7 PM onwards: Introduction from Olly Sanders, followed by the Brit Rock Film Tour in our Main Lecture Room. Get the chance to socialise in our bar with others at the event.

Saturday:

  • 7.30 – 9 AM: All residential attendees are welcome to breakfast from our Dining Room
  • 8.30 AM: Non-residential attendees arrive
  • 9 AM: Welcome to the Expedition Symposium Talk in our Main Lecture Room
  • 9.30 – 10.30 AM: Morning workshops begin! Please note that while most workshops are 1 hour sessions, some workshops will be 2 hours.
  • 10.30 – 11 AM: Break
  • 11 AM: Workshop time
  • 12.15 PM: Lunch
  • 1.30 PM: Afternoon workshops start
  • 2.30 PM – 3.30 PM: Break
  • 3 PM: Workshop time
  • 4 PM: Join our Brand Meet and Greet and try our infamous tea and cake. We’re so excited to welcome our partners and sponsors for you to ask questions and try some kit.
  • 6 PM: Olly Sanders’ Talk ‘Expedition Journeys’
  • 7 PM: Evening meal in our Dining Room
  • 8.15 PM: Adele Long from the Alpine Club Talk
  • 8.30 PM: Mick Fowler’s Talk ‘A Climbing Life’

You’re welcome to use our bar area throughout the evening.

Sunday:

  • 7.30 – 9 AM: All residential attendees are welcome to breakfast from our Dining Room
  • 9 AM: Meet in the Main Lecture Room
  • 9.30 – 10.30 AM: Morning workshops begin! Please note that while most workshops are 1 hour sessions, some workshops will be 2 hours.
  • 10.30 – 11 AM: Break
  • 11 AM: Workshop time
  • 12.15 PM: Lunch
  • 1.30 PM: Afternoon workshops start
  • 2.30 PM – 3.30 PM: Break
  • 3 PM: Workshop time
  • 4.15 PM: Closing Talk with tea and cake in our Main Lecture Room

Please note: the above times are subject to change.

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FAQs

What’s included in my ticket?

We have two ticket options available: Expedition Symposium Residential Pass and Expedition Symposium Non-Residential Pass.

Both residential and non-residential passes include the below:

  • Access to the Brit Rock Film Tour on Friday night
  • Access to our range of expedition workshops on Saturday and Sunday
  • Access to our brand meet and greet and evening talks on Saturday evening
  • Lunch on Saturday and Sunday, plus try the infamous Plas y Brenin cake!
  • Access to our onsite showers and drying facilities

As well as the above, your residential pass includes two nights’ accommodation, plus breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.

How much does a ticket cost?

We are grateful to the Arctic Club, the Mount Everest Fund, the Alpine Club the BMC for funding this event, meaning that we can make this event more accessible through lower ticket costs:

Residential Package (Single Room with Food) – £120

Residential Package (Twin Room with Food) – £120

Non-Residential Package (with Lunches Included) – £60

How do I book onto workshops?

When you arrive at Plas y Brenin, you will be able to choose your weekend workshops.

What food is included in the Residential Package?

Residential tickets include food from Saturday breakfast through to Sunday coffee and cake. Please note that the food packages do NOT include food on the Friday evening, however our lounge area will be open if you wish to order anything.

What accommodation options are there?

At Plas y Brenin, we have a range of onsite accommodation which can be found here. Please note you can choose your accommodation option when booking via Ticket Tailor.

Who is the Expedition Symposium for?

The Symposium is for anyone looking at embarking on their first or next expedition. Whether you’re a mountaineer, biker or paddler, our range of workshops will equip you with everything you need to know.

Will there be a designated quiet space during the event?

During the Expedition Symposium, we will have a dedicated ‘quiet space’ for you to go to if you would like some time away during the Friday or Saturday evening.

If you have any access requirements or questions, please email our Bookings Team at info@pyb.co.uk.

What happens if I can no longer attend the event?

Tickets are non-refundable within 4 weeks of the event. Normal T&Cs apply: https://pyb.co.uk/terms-conditions/

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