What do you get when you mix 60mph winds, freezing rain, and 20 extremely committed dental professionals? Apparently, a pretty unforgettable overnight adventure, some minor hypothermia, and the best breakfast bap anyone’s ever tasted. Welcome to Bristol Dental School’s Snowdon Sunrise Trek – and trust us, this one’s going to be hard to top. (Although the actual top was covered in fog, so…)
On Friday afternoon, the challenge began. A determined group made up of dental students, trainee nurses, nurses, and staff from Bristol Dental School piled into transport and set off from Bristol at 4:30pm, bound for Llanberis, the gateway to Snowdon. Joining the group were Shaenna from Bridge2Aid, and three brave recruits from the Rodericks Dental Partners Recruitment Team.
By 11:00pm, the team arrived in Llanberis and made final preparations. There was just enough time for a quick gear check, a strong coffee (or three), and some nervous laughter before the real challenge began: an overnight ascent of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, with the goal of reaching the summit by 4:52am to witness the sunrise.
At 1:30am, under a starless, cloudy sky, head torches lit the trail as the team set off. They were in very safe (and slightly more awake) hands with the excellent guides from Sky Blue Adventures, whose three experienced mountain leaders kept spirits high, the route on track, and morale from freezing over in the face of some pretty wild weather.
And when we say wild, we mean it. The path quickly became a stream, fed by unrelenting rain. Wind speeds hit 60mph near the summit, and while the team had hoped for a golden sunrise photo-op, they were instead greeted by a thick bank of fog that made even the person in front of you hard to see.
But none of that mattered. The shared struggle, the resilience, and the constant encouragement among the team turned what could’ve been a miserable trudge into a real triumph. Every single member of the group – despite the cold, the soaking wet clothes, and the mountain’s best efforts – made it to the top.
It was cold. It was wet. It was absolutely worth it.
As Professor Dave Dymock, Professor of Dental Education at Bristol Dental School put it:
I am really proud of Bristol Dental School this weekend and the huge effort put in by everyone to support Bridge2Aid.
The climb wasn’t just about adventure. It was about raising money and awareness for a cause that’s deeply close to the Dental School’s heart. The trek was organised by the Bristol Dental School Student Society in support of Bridge2Aid, a long-term charity partner of the school. The Dental School and Bridge2Aid have been working together over the past few years to train Oral Health Ambassadors in Bristol – and now, they’re taking that impact global.
Thanks to their efforts and generous sponsors, the team has already raised over £3,000 (and counting!) for Bridge2Aid – and in doing so, Bristol Dental School has become the first Dental School to be recognised as a Bridge2Aid Unity Partner.
So where does that money go?
It’s being used to fund the training of a Dental Therapist in the Mwanza Region of Tanzania, where only six dentists and 30 therapists serve a population of 3.7 million. This training will directly impact remote rural villages who currently have little or no access to dental care or oral health education. It’s the kind of support that doesn’t just change lives – it saves them.
One participant summed it up beautifully:
‘Though the sun never showed , the raw power of the mountain and the thrill of the climb made it an unforgettable adventure- proving that sometimes ,the journey itself is the true reward ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Once back down (and slightly more aerodynamic after being wind-blasted), the team headed straight to the Padarn Hotel, where they were welcomed like heroes. The staff went above and beyond, serving what one student swore were “the best breakfast baps we’ve ever tasted.” We can’t thank the hotel team enough for their warmth, food, and fast coffee refills.
And we absolutely couldn’t have done it without our wonderful sponsors:
Trycare, Wesleyan, and Wrights – thank you for backing the team and making this possible.
Want to get involved?
Whether you’re part of a dental school, a company, or a practice – your team can become a Bridge2Aid Unity Partner too. It’s an incredible way to make a lasting, global impact through oral health education and training.
Even better – if you fancy a bit of a climb (and we promise it’s character-building), Bridge2Aid is running another Sunrise Snowdon Trek on 19th September. Come along, bring your team, and join a cause that quite literally goes the extra mile.
And if you’re reading this thinking “No way I could do that”, don’t worry – you can still support the Bristol team on JustGiving. Now that you know what they went through, we think they’ve more than earned it. Just click here to donate.
A HUGE thank you from all of us at Bridge2Aid to every climber, organiser, donor, sponsor and breakfast-bap chef. We’re so proud of what this team achieved – not just reaching the summit of a mountain, but helping bring healthcare access to the people who need it most.
Here’s to more miles, more mountains, and even more baps.
Email Shaenna for more info!
