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Original poster

Gold DofE in 50mph winds

14 replies

Memba · 11/04/2023 16:10

16 year old DD is currently in Brecon Beacons for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Just checked BBC weather forecast and tomorrow/Thursday has weather warnings for winds up to 50mph!!

I'm no hiker but that sounds pretty extreme! Anyone know if they're likely to call it off? Guidance on DofE website is very vague. Not sure whether to contact the Expedition Director for reassurance (but it's not exactly an emergency) or just worry and wait...

OP posts:
Original poster
Memba · 11/04/2023 19:38

Anyone? Blush

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 11/04/2023 19:40

It should be if it's being run by someone responsible.

That doesn't mean it will be...

LaurieFairyCake · 11/04/2023 19:40

Not extreme 😂

It's 45 in a brisk wind in London last week

My hair got mussed up...

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Weather
Snowjokes · 11/04/2023 19:40

Takes a fair bit for them to call off Gold! They’ll have thorough risk assessments and redo routes if necessary. I’d not call if you can manage to sit on your hands, I’ll bet your DD wouldn’t thank you for it.

LlynTegid · 11/04/2023 19:42

Up to 50 mph. Weather forecasts are cautious after the 1987 Bill Giles infamous 'hurricane' broadcast.

UrsulaPandress · 11/04/2023 19:48

I’m sure the expedition leaders will be sensible.

LizziesTwin · 11/04/2023 20:29

My daughter had extreme weather conditions when she did her practice dofe gold in the Brecon Beacons. Their walks each day were shortened. They did the real one in the summer and it was really warm & sunny.

RampantIvy · 11/04/2023 20:33

LlynTegid · 11/04/2023 19:42

Up to 50 mph. Weather forecasts are cautious after the 1987 Bill Giles infamous 'hurricane' broadcast.

It was Michael Fish:

He said during a forecast: "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way. Well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!".

LostAtTheCrossRoad · 11/04/2023 20:49

Michael Fish was right, it wasn't a hurricane. It was a Force 11 gale and he also said "batten down the hatches there's some really stormy weather on the way". He was totally stitched up by the media:

Gold DofE in 50mph winds
lucylantern · 11/04/2023 20:52

This happened to me many moons ago when I did Gold DofE and they changed the route.

museumum · 11/04/2023 20:55

There should be a lower level route as backup if they were planning to go high. They may have been following valleys anyway. They will camp in a sheltered spot. At gold I wouldn’t think it would necessarily need to be called off.

Original poster
Memba · 11/04/2023 23:49

Thanks for your replies. Will try not to panic and wait to hear from her tomorrow. She's not prone to anxiety. It's just me!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Memba · 12/04/2023 00:07

2bazookas · 11/04/2023 19:43

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain/brecon-beacons#?date=2023-04-12

do you know her route? If it's only "gusts", she's lower down and she's well equipped then she'll be safe; I wouldn't want her on a solo hike over the tops.

Yikes!!!

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