Our last morning at Arete started with packing up and making sure our rooms were clean and tidy. We then gathered for our last breakfast together- beans on toast.  

After a final debrief with our instructor, Vito, we grabbed our ropes and harnesses, loaded into the minibuses, and set off for our last activity: rock climbing. A short walk brought us to the base of Lions rock, where we were clipped together on a rope and got ready to climb. Working in three teams, we took turns helping each other scale a series of ledges, encouraging one another every step of the way. Reaching the top was an incredible moment - the breathtaking view was the perfect ending to our week in Snowdonia. 

It’s been a truly unforgettable experience. We’ve faced challenges, conquered fears and created lifelong memories. Mrs Barlow is incredibly proud of how Group 4 have supported and encouraged not only each other, but her too. What an amazing adventure! 

Today, Groups 4 and 5 joined forces once again to make the most of the warm, sunny weather — by diving into the icy waters of the Cwm-Llan Waterfall on the slopes of Snowdon! After a steep hike up in our wetsuits, we layered up with extra warm clothing, buoyancy aids, and helmets. Some of us were skeptical about wearing so many layers in the sunshine, but the moment we hit the freezing water, we were very grateful for them!
We made our way down the waterfall using natural rock slides, leaping off ledges, and scrambling across wet, slippery surfaces. It was an absolute blast, and Mr. Jinks and Mrs. Barlow were seriously impressed with our jumping skills!
After a quick lunch stop, we hiked back to the minibus — ready for our next adventure: an ice cream stop on the way back to the centre. Along the way, we spotted brown trout swimming beneath us in the deeper pools and even saw sheep casually strolling down the road while we enjoyed our ice creams.
Now we're back at the centre, doing a quick tidy and pack-up of our rooms before settling in for a well-deserved chill movie night!

Group 4 faced their biggest challenge yet today, taking on the rugged heights of Tryfan. After a breakfast of cereal, toast, bacon and egg we headed to the foot of the mountain where we met up with Group 3 to start our walk. Far from a gentle stroll, it was a full-on scramble and climb through challenging terrain, well off the beaten path. On one side, we soaked in sweeping views of the dramatic landscape; on the other, we were greeted by the shimmering beauty of mountain lakes. After descending steep, rocky slopes, we cooled off by paddling in crystal-clear waters and skimming stones across the surface. The whole group had such a can do attitude all day and there was lots of resilience on show when helping others traverse the difficult terrain. Another amazing day! 

Today, Groups 4 and 5 teamed up for an adventurous day packed with double the fun! After an early wake-up call at the dorms, we fueled up with a hearty breakfast of cereal, sausages, and hash browns, then tackled our cleaning duties. Once we were all set, we grabbed our life jackets and headed to the Menai Strait. But before we could hit the water, we faced the challenge of building our makeshift Bell Boats! After getting the hang of our rowing techniques, we set off, guided by the current. Along the way, we passed under two stunning Victorian bridges and were treated to incredible wildlife sightings, including a curious seal we spotted while stopping for a break. Nellie and Shanae were even treated to a dip in the water at the end of our journey whilst getting out of their canoe! That definitely made us all giggle. 

Next, we returned to the center for a quick five-minute changeover, swapping life jackets for helmets, and jumped into the minibus for the Glyn Rhonwy quarry. Here, we had the choice to either abseil down to the bottom or soar across on a zip line to admire the breathtaking view. Everyone showed incredible determination and courage! Mrs Barlow is really proud of all of Group 4’s bravery so far, they’re definitely not afraid to get stuck in!
Now we’re back at the centre, waiting for a well-deserved dinner before our evening activities. 

 As soon as group 4 arrived at Arete they had a quick 5 minutes to make their beds and then it was time to grab their helmets ready to go bouldering and weaseling! After scaling some large boulders and jumping off the top it was time to squeeze our way through some very small gaps in the rocks! There was some amazing teamwork on show as they all cheered for each other to make it to the top or through some very tiny gaps. They even managed to convince Mrs Barlow to climb the boulder and jump off too! Mrs Barlow is very impressed with the determination and encouragement they have already shown-an amazing start to the week!