On the 2nd of September the Geography Department, accompanied by Dr Smith, Mr Ramdin, Mr Horn and Mr Kostyanovsky led 52 GCSE students into the heart of Snowdonia to carry out their long-overdue fieldwork, delayed by nothing less than unexpected volcanism, worldwide airline crisis and a department stranded in India! Amazingly the sun was shining for the duration of the weekend, even allowing for a brief paddle in the sea at Morfa Harlech sanddunes! Friday saw these dunes awash with MCS students and busy with geographical activity; the cloudless sky interrupted only by the occasional high-flying quadrat breaking the crest of the dune ridges. The 52 boys collected data on local biodiversity, plant height, moisture content of the soil and a variety of other information principally concerned with the process of succession which is exemplified most clearly in this location. The weather held for the Saturday when the whole group climbed Snowdonia's principal mountain, Mt Snowdon, where on arrival at the summit the boys were greeted with a fantastic vista of glacial scenery and the staff were greeted with a fantastic new cafe; all made the descent equally sated. This fieldtrip is a real test of mental and physical stamina for both staff and pupil alike and it is pleasing to report that the students were congratulated by the Mountain Leaders for their inexhaustible energy and impeccable fitness while in the hostel they were praised for their excellent work ethic. It is important to note that this fieldtrip is a necessary part of the GCSE course and could not be carried out without a total of 8 staff members, 4 with no connection to geography, volunteering their own time at this difficult time of the year. Thanks to all!