Expedition Training Weekend
Skills WeekendIntermediate

Expedition Training Weekend

Two days in the Ogwen Valley. Full pack. Real terrain. Everything you need to know before your first expedition.

Apr 18–20, 2027 · Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia

Expedition Training Weekend — photo 1
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About this trip

Most people who struggle on expeditions don't lack fitness — they lack experience carrying a full pack across real mountain terrain for consecutive days. Setting up camp in the dark. Managing wet gear overnight. Knowing how to eat well, stay warm, and keep moving when things get hard. This weekend fixes that.

We're based in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia — one of the finest mountain training grounds in the UK and the same terrain used by the army, mountain leaders, and expedition teams preparing for bigger objectives. On Saturday we move campsite with everything we own on our backs, covering 20km+ over serious terrain with 1,200m of ascent. On Sunday we carry it all back on a shorter route before driving home.

This isn't a skills course with clipboards. It's two days of doing — packing properly, moving efficiently, making decisions, setting up camp when you're tired, and waking up having done it once and knowing you can do it again. It's designed for anyone planning a multi-day mountain trip: a Jove expedition, a Himalayan trek, a long-distance route, or just their first proper adventure in the mountains.

Highlights

  • Point-to-point Saturday — carry full expedition pack campsite to campsite over 20km+ of mountain terrain
  • Real Ogwen Valley terrain — Snowdonia, used by the military and mountain leaders as a training ground
  • Camp setup and breakdown — pitch tents on arrival, break camp in the morning, carry it all back Sunday
  • Expedition kitchen — camp cooking on a stove across two dinners and two breakfasts, no shortcuts
  • Kit management masterclass — how to pack a rucksack properly, what you actually need, what to leave behind
  • Blister prevention and foot care — the thing that ends most expeditions early, covered in the field
  • Navigation in mountain terrain — map, compass, moving efficiently in variable conditions
  • Open to all — not just Jove trip bookers. Anyone preparing for any expedition or multi-day mountain challenge

Itinerary

Meet at Gwern Gof Isaf campsite, Ogwen Valley by 6pm. Pitch tents while there's still light — this is your first camp task of the weekend. Group briefing over dinner: the plan for both days, kit check, and a run-through of what we'll cover. Early night. Tomorrow is a big day.

What's included

  • Two nights camping — Gwern Gof Isaf (Friday) and wild camp / second campsite (Saturday)
  • Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast — all camp-cooked as a group
  • Full route guidance and instruction throughout both days
  • Navigation session — map and compass on the mountain
  • Kit management coaching — pack organisation, weight distribution, what to carry and what to ditch
  • Blister prevention and foot care workshop in the field

Not included

  • Travel to and from Ogwen Valley (drive or train to Bethesda)
  • Tent and sleeping bag (you should bring your own — using your own kit is the point)
  • Personal food and snacks beyond the group meals
  • Personal travel insurance recommended

Good to know

  • £320 per person. Early bird: £290 until 30 November 2026. £150 deposit to secure your place, balance due 4 weeks before the weekend.
  • Maximum 20 people.
  • You'll need your own tent, sleeping bag (rated to at least 0°C for April), and a rucksack of 40–60L. Full kit list sent on booking.

Physical requirements

You need to be fit enough to walk 20km with a 12–15kg pack across mountain terrain with 1,200m of ascent. If you can comfortably do a long day walk in the hills, you're ready for this. You do not need expedition experience — that's what the weekend is for. Come with a reasonable baseline of fitness and a willingness to be uncomfortable. Everything else, we'll cover on the mountain.

Meeting point

Gwern Gof Isaf campsite, Ogwen Valley, LL57 3LQ. Arrive Friday by 6pm. Parking on site. By train: to Bangor then taxi to Ogwen (~30 min). Full directions in your booking confirmation.

A note from Freddie

The thing that separates people who come back from expeditions buzzing from people who struggled isn't fitness — it's experience carrying weight over consecutive days. I've seen really fit people fall apart on day three because they've never actually done it before. This weekend is designed to give you that experience in a controlled environment, in some of the best mountain terrain in the UK, before you need it. — Freddie, Founder of Jove Club

Price per person

£320

Reserve with £150 deposit (non-refundable) · balance due 60 days before

Early bird — £290

Apply and pay deposit before 30 November 2026

Dates

Apr 18–20, 2027

Duration

2 days

Difficulty

Intermediate

Location

SNOWDONIA · NORTH WALES

Availability

20 places left

Book your placeHave a question? Get in touch →
Led by qualified and vetted outdoor leaders
Small groups — never crowded
Full pre-trip support and kit guidance
Cancel or defer up to 60 days before

£320

Early bird: £290

Book your place

Google Reviews

What they said
when they got home.

5.0· 23 reviews on Google

I had the best time on the Jove weekend trip to the Peaks. Got there and they helped set up my new tent — very friendly from the off. Zero judgement across the weekend for anything. It was about learning the skills needed to thrive outdoors, without any of the judgement you get with some providers. It gave me my confidence back outdoors, and I've booked onto my next trip already.

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Leah Brunskill

2 weeks ago

Jove are fantastic. I've been going to their weekly strength sessions at Battersea park for a couple of months now and I've felt my confidence and strength for mountaineering and trail running come on in leaps and bounds. Their trips are incredibly good fun and genuinely valuable. Can't recommend highly enough — wish I'd joined sooner!

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Alex White

3 weeks ago

Enjoyed a wonderful weekend of hiking, camping, trail running, navigation & fitness sessions (and some cracking pubs, pie & pizzas!) in the Peak District with a group of wonderful people. We all had different levels of previous outdoor experience & all were catered for. Thanks to Freddie & the Jove club team for leading us safely & challenging us.

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Claire

3 weeks ago

I joined a Jove Weekender Trip to the Peak District for the weekend and had an amazing time! Freddie & the team were very welcoming and knowledgeable and it really gave me confidence to try and do more hiking in the future! I'll definitely be joining for some of the London sessions and hopefully a future trip. Would thoroughly recommend!!

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Bryony Kirby

3 weeks ago

Joined Jove Club for an amazing trip to the Cairngorms to learn winter mountaineering skills! Small group of adventurous people, everyone was super supportive and keen to learn. Perfect weekend spent outdoors!

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Lizzie

2 months ago

Huge shout out to Freddie for sorting out the winter skills training in the Cairngorms. We had an extremely knowledgeable instructor who took us through everything we needed to know about Scottish winter! I had a great weekend away and the group really topped it off as a stand out trip. Would also highly recommend the weekly social bouldering sessions in London.

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Tom Roberts

2 months ago

I could not recommend Jove Club enough for anyone who wants to get outside, explore the country and test their physical and mental limits. I've done things in the past year I would never have done myself, with an amazing group of driven, friendly and kind people — and it's been an absolute blast.

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Richard Scothern

4 months ago

I had such a great time on the Peak District climbing trip! Having joined for their London bouldering sessions for a couple of months, it was great to put my new skills to use outside. We had an amazing instructor who made me feel so at ease. The group was great fun — everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. Can't wait to join more trips next year!

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Emily Elizabeth

4 months ago

I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July and it was unreal. Freddie is a fantastic leader — he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Looking forward to my next Jove Club adventure!

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Emily

8 months ago

Before Jove, I never really thought of myself as a runner. But within weeks of joining, I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. My first proper test was our Brecon trek — two days, 35km, 1,300m of elevation. It was brutal, but it was also the moment I realised how much the people around you shape the experience. Jove isn't just about getting fitter — it's about pushing your limits in a way that actually feels fun.

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Vevek Shah

8 months ago

I love Jove Club. On paper, I had everything I needed to be happy, but it wasn't until I joined Jove that I realised something was missing — adventure! It's so easy in London to get stuck in a rut. Jove gets me out of the house with like-minded people and gives me things I didn't even realise I was missing. Join, you won't regret it.

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Christopher Sykes-Popham

1 year ago

I went on the Peak District Climbing adventure not knowing any of the group but felt immediately welcomed by everyone. The group was very supportive given my lack of any prior climbing experience and definitely pushed my limits. The trip itself was extremely well organised — everything was covered from food and instructors to what gear to bring. Immediately came home and booked myself on another adventure!

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Olly

1 year ago

I had an absolutely incredible experience on a walking adventure weekend with Jove Club! From start to finish, everything was brilliantly organised. Freddie's enthusiasm and leadership created such a positive, welcoming atmosphere — making the weekend about more than just the hike. If you're looking for a well-organised, exciting outdoor experience with great company, I can't recommend Jove Club enough.

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Henry Lort-Jones

1 year ago

Can't express enough how glad I am that Freddie has created Jove Club! The recent Brecon trip was epic — a tough challenge that we all pushed through. In only a couple of months I've made significant strides towards my fitness goals. The regular adventure challenges add purpose to the training in London and the people in the club are top quality.

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Harry Webb

1 year ago

The Peak District climbing weekend was meticulously planned by Freddie and Jove Club. I felt a massive sense of achievement on the Sunday afternoon walking off the crag. If you are considering a weekend away with like minded people to push yourself beyond your comfort zone then I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jove Club.

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Connor Herrington

1 year ago

The mix of classes — in particular the run and fitness sessions outdoors — is absolutely amazing and unlike anything else I've found in London. The sessions are inclusive of mixed ability but with enough challenge for everyone. Really look forward to putting my fitness to the test during one of the trail runs and adventure trips!

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Francesca Richards

1 year ago

Joining Jove is the best thing I've done for my fitness and health this year. Anyone looking to get fit, get outdoors and meet great people — this is where it's at. In just a few months I've met some great people, built confidence, and lost 3kg whilst getting stronger and running faster.

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Joseph McEachron

1 year ago

Jove is the missing piece of London life. Such a welcoming and friendly club with a fantastic range of activities. Everything geared towards adventure trips is such a great way to train and get fit with a proper functional goal. The Peak District climbing weekend was fantastically well organised — can't wait to do another.

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Tom Frew

1 year ago

I've had a great time with Jove — it's got a great mix of challenging and fun activities. The Peak District climbing trip was super well organised, great instruction provided, and a great way to get out of London for a weekend and learn some new skills.

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Vito Tomasi

1 year ago

The Jove Club climbing weekend in the Peak District was a fantastic experience, filled with great routes and even better company. Everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers felt included and challenged. A brilliantly run weekend that captured the spirit of adventure.

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John Cain

1 year ago

Great sessions which are well planned and adaptable to fitness levels. Welcoming atmosphere at meets and easy to use site for booking.

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Calvin Freese

1 year ago

I have attended fitness and climb sessions and would really recommend Jove. Accessible and tailored to your fitness but with plenty of challenge and very social!

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sioned press

1 year ago

Attended a session last week — great and welcoming atmosphere, the PT was very knowledgeable and provided alternative exercises. Will be back!

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Elin Wilde

1 year ago