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Day 1 | Distance travelled: 5km | Weather: mild & pleasant I arrived in the Moelwyns to a bright afternoon with a few butterflies in my tummy.. I’d not been out for a multi-night for a while and the weather forecast was all over the place. I didn’t know what to expect, but, prepared for everything from sunshine to snow, I sloshed off from the Crimea Pass into the soggy November mountains Moel Siabod watched over me quietly as I picked my way through mud and heather, heading north. I was carrying 18kilos, on the lookout for bogs and shuddering at the thought of falling into one. The day was mild and pleasant, and I stopped to look over a valley. I’d need to cross this valley to get to where I’d hoped to pitch for the night, so I started heading down, soon hearing a chorus of mooing cows. I really don’t like cows. I’ve been chased by a heard of angry horned cows before, and had to throw myself over a barbed wire fence to escape I came through a short stone tunnel and emerged to see the cows wandering all over and around the footpath. Cows on a public right of way – not the best, at least, not for someone who’s afraid of them Usually, I’d find another way around, but I needed to cross this valley. I nervously wombled through, talking to the cows and hoping they didn’t mind my passing, which they didn’t. Thankfully they weren’t bothered by my presence at all, and I soon emerged out from the cow-ridden tracks and started climbing up the other side of the valley It was almost dusk as I found a place to pitch at 310m elevation, a little bit wonky, but flat enough. Moel Siabod stood behind and views of Ysgafell Wen, Moel Druman and Allt-fawr graced the distant skyline; the 20km circular than I was hoping to do would take me along this ridge, but a quick look at the changing forecast gave me an uncomfortable, nagging feeling. Apparently, heavy rain and gale force winds were coming, and I didn’t want to be up there alone, in unfamiliar territory and insane weather, not even knowing if my way would be passable I took off my boots, gaiters and waterproof over-socks to find that my lil merino under-socks were still dry, despite splashing though water and trudging through mud all afternoon. Have I finally cracked it? Figured out how to keep my feet dry? This is promising.. I hate having wet feet, especially so early on in a trip I heard the distant rumbling of a train. The Conwy Valley Line passes underneath these mountains, a 4km long tunnel under the ground – the longest single line railway tunnel in the UK. It was feeling fresh now, about 5°C and Pleiades and the milky way sparkled through passing clouds as I had my tea – a warming, home cooked chicken tikka masala – and settled down for the night. I looked over my map for hours, trying to decide what to do to no avail, and fell into a restless, wondering sleep GEar List
This gear list contains affiliate links. This means that WildBeare makes a small commission from any sales made via these links, at no extra cost to yourself - a great way to support the channel. Thank you You can also see lots of my gear in my Amazon Gear Shop :) *I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and have not accepted any free gear to try since summer of 2021. Every piece of gear that I’m using is something that I have chosen to buy for myself – my opinions on it and experiences with it are completely impartial. SHELTER / TENT Tent Hilleberg Soulo + Footprint (Bad Weather Test & details about this tent here: https://youtu.be/mUi1IGskBig) + Delta Ground Anchors TREKKING POLE Fizan Compact https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj SLEEP SYSTEM Sleeping Bag Rab Ascent 900 https://amzn.to/3aHRKiv Sleep Mat Neoair Thermarest Xtherm Max https://amzn.to/3uSjiLt Trekology Aluft Pillow https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1 Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Kloke Bivi Bag https://amzn.to/3rb1nCK (protects sleeping bag from condensation or tent failure) RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk DCF Zip Pouches & Dry Bags https://WildSkyGear.co.uk SIT MAT https://amzn.to/3yP22u8 FIELD REPAIRS Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq Duct Tape (I wrap it around my trekking pole) https://amzn.to/3qPKFEF COOKING Hiking Stove https://amzn.to/3cM173q Jetboil Gas 230g https://amzn.to/3z5qV5L Gas Canister Stand https://amzn.to/3GLhHh4 Toaks 900ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/3j5Mwot XBands https://amzn.to/43SVFE8 Opinel Pocket Knife No.5 https://amzn.to/45P33RH Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi Lil pots https://amzn.to/3FG5fi8 Bag for rubbish WATER & HYDRATION x2 1L Bottles LifeStraw 650m Filter Squeeze Bottle https://amzn.to/3TSeDVe Milton Sterilising Tablets (for cleaning at home) https://amzn.to/3W4tLR5 TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE Tissue Baby wipes Hand sanitiser Trowel https://amzn.to/3etBVz9 Palm Hair Brush https://amzn.to/3QIUumd Hair band Lip balm Talc Toothpaste Tiny mirror Mini Tweezers Tiny Pots https://amzn.to/3aJytgC Toothbrush https://amzn.to/2LqwgxY Sleep Mask https://amzn.to/3tD2lUs Ear Plugs https://amzn.to/40swCVh Cheap Sunglasses https://amzn.to/3q5wSwR Microfibre Towel https://amzn.to/43qSZwh MED KIT Pain relief Antihistamine Plasters Blister plasters https://amzn.to/3qvrzHA Torniquet (only use with knowledge of how to use safely) Wound Dressing Small Bandage https://amzn.to/401pHUI Alcohol Wipes Med kit pouch https://www.wildskygear.co.uk/ TICK, MOZZIE & MIDGE PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Boots North Ridge Womens Traverse https://amzn.to/3Lx1VZV Grangers Natural Beeswax for Boots https://amzn.to/44bT0Ft Waterproofs: OMM Women’s Halo Pants https://amzn.to/3FBI9Ja + Jacket https://amzn.to/3MimZCc Hiking Clothes: Sealskinz Waterproof Knee Length Winter Socks https://amzn.to/3ZCxUgU Fine Merino Socks https://amzn.to/3F66vvp Hikenture Gaiters https://amzn.to/49idbo1 North Ridge Convect Women’s Merino Base Layer https://amzn.to/3MPqbrw Rab Women’s Capacitor Hoody https://amzn.to/3oRpJ2Y Step One Lady Boxers Green https://amzn.to/44VgrD2 Black https://amzn.to/3Zfg9Fe Merino Wool Vest https://amzn.to/44R0ZrH Peter Storm Neck Gaiter https://amzn.to/46iXwSz Fleece Gloves Decathlon Waterproof Gloves Sealskinz https://amzn.to/3s48ucX Clothes for Camp: Down Puffy Decathlon Fleece hat, gloves & neck warmer Decathlon HEAT Ocoopa Electronic Hand Warmer https://amzn.to/3BDyels ICE AXE & SNOW SPIKES Petzl Ice Axe https://amzn.to/3qTmx3W WardWolf Ice Spikes https://amzn.to/3HAF5wH ELECTRONICS 20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR Thermometer https://amzn.to/3TMdw9n Lyocel towel for drying hands & gear in wet weather https://amzn.to/45t7tO6 GPS / NAVIGATION / PLB Garmin Inreach Mini https://amzn.to/3sVBi9f Garmin Backpack Tether https://amzn.to/3sTRibM Map & Compass Phone https://amzn.to/3An5PQ7 FILMING Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ Ulanzi Wide Angle & Macro Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq ZV1 Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA Rode Wireless Mic https://amzn.to/44rs9Vt Rode Lav Mic https://amzn.to/44Qte8M Lav Mic Wind Muffs & Clips https://amzn.to/3TkNQUJ 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/3G3obrL Rain Cover https://amzn.to/3VctprU x2 GoPro 10’s https://amzn.to/3T9CDUB Wind Shields https://amzn.to/3TesuWA Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3ww70Lf Selfie Stick https://amzn.to/3zRjDTh Rucksack Mount https://amzn.to/32Ojy4M 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v Gorrillapod Tripod https://amzn.to/3u9Tb3j SAM the drone: DJI Mavic Mini https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ + an old iphone to control it – my phone not compatible 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci (Free) Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Personalised Mouse Mat https://amzn.to/414UsZ5 Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Seagate 10TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj XP Pen Graphic Drawing Tablet https://amzn.to/479ghZE Music in this video
Thank you to these amazing artists for producing such beautiful music - it is such an important part of my videos and a joy to help me tell my lil adventure stories.. Amir Marcus – Ascension ANBR – Deer Ardie Son – Citadel Henrik Lindström – Tree of Light IamDayLight – Believer Ian Post – Breathe The David Roy Collective – A Tender Heart Tristan Barton – The Racer Aerian - Himalayan Moon Lionel Quick – Like Cold November Rain Megan Wofford – Love Always Across The Great Valley – Only Us Raviv Leibzirer – Für Elise All from Artlist and Epidemic Sound with license. Day 2 | Distance travelled: 4.1km | Weather: sunny, mild and pleasant, becoming overcast and cold later in the day, dropping to 2°C I woke on Saturday morning before dawn to light rain on the tent, and watched the sun rise over the valley. I was tired, having not slept very well. I was still torn between doing the route that I was hoping to do, and taking a route more suited to the weather forecast. I decided to stay lower, avoiding the ridge, and make up a new route in the valley and lower peaks. There were mines, a lake and other points of interest that I could explore. For today, I would aim to head to Moel Lledr; from the map I could see that this is a 405m hill with a steep river gorge alongside it As I packed up my tent, it was warm and sunny as spring, and I pondered that I probably looked a bit mad wandering around with an ice axe. But, the temperatures were due to drop, and you just ever know what’s gonna happen in the mountains. Snow is always a possibility when low temperatures and bad weather are forecast. I set off heading south west, skirting the boundary line between the wild open-access land and the valley farmland. I crossed rocky streams and trudged through muddy, waist high tufty grass until the valley was behind me, and headed down to a river – the Afon Lledr. I scrambled down to the ruined settlement of Cwm Fynhadog Uchaf. Trees grew inside the roofless, moss-covered stone houses, taking back the land for themselves. The river rushed past and I crossed a stone bridge, and wondered who had lived here and what their lives were like. I stopped for some lunch before continuing on into the craggy landscape Now I was following an easy track, an old mining track, and was able to travel faster. There was a bit of a chill in the air now, and I could see Moel Lledr and his beautiful river gorge alongside. As I got closer, I could see that this was a serious gorge – not one that I’d be able to travel up. It looked so majestic with water pouring over the top ledge in a small fall before rushing down the gully into the valley. I decided to pitch for night two next to a tumbling stream with mountain views all around I paddled briefly in the 6°C water, which felt icy but pleasant on my tired feet. And then settled down in my tent as I watched the darkness creep in and temperature on my thermometer plummet. 6 degrees, 5, 4, 3, 2. It had suddenly gotten cold. I could see my breath. And then, pouring over my map, I realised that I had pitched right under a lake, with a forecast of heavy rain, and this harmless looking stream that I was right next to was actually the lakes’ overflow flood path. If the lake were to burst it’s banks (something that I have seen happen in the mountains, at Llyn Gwynant), a torrent of cold water would come crashing down to my camp. Although unlikely, it still wasn’t worth the risk, and I wouldn’t have slept well worrying about it. So regrettably, I decided to move. I clipped my tent light onto my waist for extra light (my head torch is small and best suited to camp errands, not night hiking) and packed up before wandering off into the darkness. It was a new moon and exceptionally dark. I crossed the stream and headed east, away from the path of the water and up onto slightly higher ground. I could see nothing outside of my lil circle of light, like moving in a bubble, I could see the next few steps in front of me, but my wider surroundings were a mystery. I found a flat spot, and then realised it was just underneath a precariously perched boulder that looked like it might slide off and come crashing down any moment I soon found a suitable spot at around 330m elevation, which, as far as I could tell, wasn’t in the path of potential flood water or falling boulders. I set up the tent again, and then turned off my lights and let my eyes adjust. What came into view was just magical. I could see low banks of clouds flowing over Yr Arddu in front of me, and Moel Siabod to the east. Above that, the sky was glowing with a million stars, all entwined with mist and fog. I felt like I were in a fairy tale After all the tent-moving fun, the rain never came in the end and the night was dry, cold and gorgeous Day 3 | Distance travelled: only 2km | Weather: 5 degrees, rainy and windy I woke on Sunday morning after a lovely, deep sleep, just in time to hear the rain start falling. I looked about to see where I was pitched, perched over the valley. It was a lazy morning in my tent, enjoying my chocolate coffee and a now 3-day-old pastry (which was still delicious, by the way). Today I’d planned to check out the mines close by, right on top of the hidden train tunnel through the rock underneath, and then try to find a way up to the lake above for tonight’s camp. The weather had arrived, although currently it was just a pleasant rain It didn’t take long to arrive at the mines, and I admired the huge rock pile, spewing out from the ground like a giant grey tongue. I pondered about how us humans make such marks on the land. We are so un-subtle. It’s almost as if we’re scrawling ‘humans were here’ everywhere that we go. Unsure whether I felt amazed by our industrious nature or appalled by it (probably a mix of both), I continued on to try and find the lake The rain continued to fall and I felt right at home. I had missed this. My soul was souring as I climbed in elevation, the winds ever increasing. I trundled over, around and between what felt like countless rocky outcrops, at the top of each one expecting to be able to see the lake, but seeing nothing, except more rocky outcrops, more boggy, waterlogged marshy ground and more beautiful bleakness. Eventually I came upon the same stream that I had initially camped at the night before, although I was now higher of course. I followed it up to the lake – Llyn Dyrnogydd. The rain dashed the surface of the water and I filled up my bottles. I kept finding the strangest substance on the ground – it was some form of jelly or slime; big, wobbly blobs of it, clear but with a slight whitish, blueish hue. I had never seen it before and had no idea what it was. I’ve researched it since and found that many other people have found it, and it’s also been tested in a lab, but no one seems to know what it is. Very odd. I pitched by the lake at 460m elevation, close enough to have lake views, but high enough above it not to be concerned about potential flooding. I used ground anchors as I expected pretty brutal winds, and I had my own personal blobs of slime outside the tent, which I was observing with interest, as if they might morph into some kind of alien being during the night. As I peeled of my sodden wet coat and waterproofs, I found that my feet had somehow managed to stay dry despite a day in the rain and walking ankle-deep through streams (I think I may have actually cracked it!) I got onto my dry bed clothes and then one-by-one put on my damp hiking tops, drying them off with my body heat. I didn’t want to put on cold, damp tops in the morning, although I would still have to tolerate putting on wet bottoms and a wet coat, there was no way I was gonna be able to dry those off too. As the night wore on, the wind continued to pick up. I dozed on and off between the worst of the weather, but woke at 5am, the tent shaking so violently that I decided to give up on sleep. A lone frog sat by my tent door, taking shelter from the powerful gusts and lashing rain. We sat together for a while, two souls out in the wild. It’s strange I suppose, but I feel a bond with the creatures that I encounter out here. This frog appeared to have no fear of me. He was sheltering, just as I was. We were so different, yet we were the same. Two little lives, insignificant as far as the weather and the mountains were concerned. The wild did not care one jot about us; it didn’t care if we were uncomfortable, frightened, or even if we survived, but I feel that night that there was a silent nod between species.. ‘rough night huh.. let’s see it out together’. A brief kinship. I’ll not forget that lil frog. Day 4 | Distance travelled: 1.5km back to my car | Total distance for trip: 12.6km | Weather: powerful wind and rain By dawn on Monday, the winds felt violent. If I weren’t in my solid, expedition style tent, I think it might have been smashed to bits by now. These gusts felt stronger than gales. I didn’t even attempt to make my morning coffee for fear of setting the tent alight, as everything was flapping around so furiously. When I emerged from the tent, the wind hit me so hard, it took my breath away and whistled around me. Taking the tent down was problematic; while guyed in, it was solid as a rock, every guy line had stayed in place throughout the night, nothing had moved. But as soon as the guy lines were out, I had to hold on for dear life to the tent poles to stop them from snapping in the force of the winds. During dips in the winds, I gripped the poles in one hand, and unclipped the tent fabric from the poles with the other. Behind me, the surface of the lake was rough and the wind picked up the surface water, sweeping it along in the air and driving it over the far shores As I slowly made my way back down to the Crimea Pass, stumbling and being shoved and buffeted about by the wind, I felt so very grateful for this experience. It felt so wild and invigorating, and after a couple months of not doing much due to an injured ankle, I felt so very much alive. I used to hope for the nice weather, the sunsets and the sunrises, but I’ve come to love every part of this. It's funny how when I start out on these lil trips, I feel kind of apprehensive, unsure. But by the end, I feel like I belong here. Like I've become part of the rocks and the water and the plants and trees. And so I head home, from my second life out out in the wild, to my other 'normal' life, and do 'normal' things. But is it really normal? Sitting a computer all day, worrying about earning enough money and paying bills. Is that normal? Or is my wild life actually the normal one? It's nice to have balance. I actually love both my 'wild' life and my 'normal' life. But I feel that as a whole, we as a society have become so disconnected from our wild sides. I see all these restrictions being put on enjoyment and access to nature, it saddens me and I feel that these restrictions are just deepening the problem - It is difficult, if not impossible for a society to respect and care for nature, when they do not feel as if they are a part of it in the first place Comments are closed.
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