3 Wild Nights - a Celebration of Autumn in the Mountains

3 Wild Nights! This one was so gorgeous

A few days of peace & freedom in the Rhinogydd, full of moonbeams, autumn colours, beautiful views, wind, rain, mud, and adventure..

Day 1 – distance walked 4.1km

It was a still and pleasant Autumn afternoon as I arrived in the very south of the Rhinogydd, with 4 days of supplies on my back and only one objective; to summit the small peak of Y Garn, who currently had his head in the clouds.

I trudged along muddy tracks through a woodland valley, before turning west onto open access land. The way was slow, wet and pathless through long grass, with old ruined stone huts dotted about from previous mining activity. One had a lovely tree bursting out of it, filling the space previously taken by the building, reclaiming its place in the hills

Up at 300 metres, views of the valley below opened up, looking out over the wide, silty estuary of the Afon Mawddach. It was already starting to get dark, and as I pitched my tent, the air seemed tinged with hazy blues, with layers of mountains fading into the dusky evening

After settling into my cosy sleeping bag and having my tea (chilli and rice with bread and butter – a camping fav of mine for the first night of a trip!) the crescent moon shone brightly, sending beams of light down between the surrounding clouds. I’d never witnessed such moonbeams before, and watched them dance along, lighting up the valley below. It was so very pretty. I had a lovely sleep this night as the temperature dropped to 3 degrees C, but I was warm in my cosy lil nook

Click on 'read more' below to continue the adventure..

Gear List

This gear list contains amazon 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
 
*I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and have not accepted any of this gear as a gift. 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
 
TENT
‘The One’ – Gossamer Gear
Ultra Groundsheet Medium 210x90cm – Gramcounter Gear
Mini Binder Clips https://amzn.to/47IJACR
 
TREKKING POLES
Fizan Compact https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj
 
SLEEP SYSTEM
Sleeping Bag Rab Ascent 900 https://amzn.to/3aHRKiv
Sleep Mat Thermarest XLite https://amzn.to/3L8r4Ym
Trekology Aluft Delux Pillow https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1
Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk
Mountain Equipment Ion Bivi Bag https://amzn.to/3uPjTSK
 
RUCKSACK & PACKING
Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW
Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk
DCF Zip Pouches & Dry Bags https://WildSkyGear.co.uk
 
WATER & HYDRATION
x2 1L Bottles (Filthy & Crystal)
LifeStraw 650m Filter Squeeze Bottle https://amzn.to/3TSeDVe
Cup (10g) Decathlon
 
CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Boots Peter Storm Caldbeck https://amzn.to/3JtYPFp
Sealskinz Waterproof Knee Length Winter Socks https://amzn.to/3ZCxUgU
Fine Merino Socks https://amzn.to/3F66vvp
 Waterproofs:
OMM Women’s Halo Pants https://amzn.to/3FBI9Ja + Jacket https://amzn.to/3MimZCc
Montane Levity Women’s Gortex Rain Jacket https://amzn.to/3NaZn5l
 Leggings https://amzn.to/41Rplko
North Ridge Convect Women’s Merino Base Layer https://amzn.to/3MPqbrw
Rab Women’s Nexus Hoody https://amzn.to/3oRMTG7
Step One Lady Boxers https://amzn.to/3Zfg9Fe
Waterproof Gloves Sealskinz https://amzn.to/3s48ucX
Down Puffy Decathlon
Fleece hat, gloves & neck warmer Decathlon
 
SIT MAT
Cheapo one https://amzn.to/3yP22u8
 
FIELD REPAIRS
Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq
 
COOKING
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
Matches https://amzn.to/3t0eRzN
Mini Tin for matches / seasonings etc https://amzn.to/41RpTGY
+ Match Striker Sticker Paper https://amzn.to/3UblInq
Light my Fire Ferro Rod https://amzn.to/3eVXUOF
XBands https://amzn.to/43SVFE8
Black Microfibre cloth https://amzn.to/47ltZIq
Opinel Pocket Knife No.5 https://amzn.to/45P33RH
Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi
Bag for rubbish
 
MED KIT
Pain relief
Antihistamine
Plasters
Torniquet (only use with knowledge of how to use safely)
Wound Dressing
Small Bandage https://amzn.to/401pHUI
Alcohol Wipes
 
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
Grey Microfibre Towel https://amzn.to/43qSZwh

TICK PREVENTION
Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB
 
ELECTRONICS
20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2
Headtorch Petzl Bindi (200 Lumen) https://amzn.to/3wl9DlM
Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR
Thermometer https://amzn.to/3MFPSu5
Lyocel towel for drying hands & gear in wet weather https://amzn.to/45t7tO6
 
GPS / NAV EMERGENCY
Garmin Inreach Mini https://amzn.to/3sVBi9f
Map
Compass https://amzn.to/3Ynir6t
Phone Galaxy A15 https://amzn.to/4edS34p
Waterproof Phone Case for A15 https://amzn.to/3Trfizj
Whistle https://amzn.to/3uRvwbM
 
FILMED WITH..
Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ
Ulanzi Wide Angle & Macro Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq
ZV1 Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA
Rode Lav Mic https://amzn.to/44Qte8M
Lav Mic Wind Muffs & Clips https://amzn.to/3TkNQUJ
128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8
Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p
Mini Ball Head https://amzn.to/3UYGBlD
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
Suction Mount https://amzn.to/4dI6EoB
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 Drone https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ
+ an old iphone to control it – my phone not compatible
128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v
 
EDITED WITH..
Editing Program – Davinci Resolve Studio
PC Vibox VIII https://amzn.to/3WaIUTG
Monitor LG Ultrafine 32” https://amzn.to/3H6lXsg
Studio Speakers https://amzn.to/4f2FOIs
Seagate 12TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/42cSW7U
​

Soundtrack

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..
 
Ave Maria – Ada Ragimov
Wolves and Owls – Alan A Craig
Irish Mountains – Ben Winwood
Seine River – IamDayLight
Beholding – Marshall Usinger
The Night – Narrow Skies
Whispers – Narrow Skies
Prayer – Roy Dahan
Better Believe – Tiko Tiko
We Dream of Eden – Outside In
Hunt – Jones Meadow
Speedy The Spider – Keeping My Head in the Sand
Late for an Appointment – Stationary Sign
October Leaf – Mar Vei
 
All from Artlist & Epidemic Sound with license
​

DAY 2 – distance walked 9.2km

I woke on day 2 to a still and beautiful morning, cloudy with a bit of hazy sunshine too. I had a pecan twist with a chocolate coffee, and packed up the tent before getting on my way. I had no idea what to expect, only that the ways marked on the map were likely to be a bit tricky. I was soon able to see the lil peak that this adventure had been planned around. Y Garn looked rough and rugged and beautiful, with evergreens skirting the lower half, all framed by orange ferns. I continued into a section of woodland, dotted with hidden wobbly bogs underneath the unassuming looking grass. I hopped my way through slowly, hoping not to disappear into a mucky void, before popping out onto an easy track. I passed a lone sheep, who made quite a picture standing in front of an old dilapidated vehicle, maybe an abandoned jeep or land rover. Next, the path marked on the map took a strange turn – directly up a steep wooded bank. I clawed my way up and wrestled through some overgrowth before emerging onto a narrow trail through tall trees. I slipped on a muddy rock, ducked under a fallen tree and clambered over a stile right into some sticky mud

I was entering farmland, and followed the signs and the route marked on the map, clinking through metal gates but finding the way out back in to open access land blocked by a barbed wire and fences. I tried alternative ways, finding gates blocked with tall wire fencing and eventually scrambled over a tall wall, hoping the rocks wouldn’t give way beneath me, and jumping down happily back into the wild. Y Garn rose ahead and I picked my way through rockfall, slowly gaining elevation as I climbed up the south-westerly side of the hill

At the 629-metre summit I had breathtaking views all around; down toward the green valley that I’d come from below in the south, Cwm Mynach to the west, and the desolate-looking, brown hued moorland between this lonely peak and the Rhinogs in the north west

I pitched my tent just out of view of the summit at 606 metres elevation. It was a still night, and as the sun went down, I could see layers of mountains leading into the north, with that same, tranquil blue tinge in the air as the previous evening. Low clouds could be seen hanging in some of the distant valleys. Sitting in my tent, I was facing the hulks of Diffwys and Y-Llethr, joined by a ridge, that I had walked earlier in the year on a winter multi-night trip. On that trip, I’d looked over toward where I was pitched now, high on Y Garn, and I knew I had to explore here. I’d bought a map of this area, and here I was, now looking out over the peaks of my past adventures. Rhinog Fach and Fawr were next in line in my view, locations of more adventures past, and I settled happily into my sleeping bag for my tea. Just noodles today, but they always seem such a simple and tasty meal out in the wild places. It was an uneventful evening, perched high above the valley, looking at the twinkly, cosy lights of a village in the north

DAY 3 – distance walked 10km

I woke on day 3 feeling a bit groggy after a broken night’s sleep. The weather had come in and I could no longer see far in front of me, my views fading away to a solid wall of thick white nothingness.. I was in the cloud. A light rain fell, but it was the wind that had been the issue during the night, flinging the tent fabric around and repeatedly showering me with condensation. The weather would blow away the cobwebs soon enough though, and I had a peppermint coffee and a pain-au-chocolate before heading off, back up to the summit first and then down into the valley, except this time I planned to follow the shoulder of Y Garn down in a southerly direction

The wind at the summit was brutal and the cloud whipped by, tearing about like steam caught in gales. My hands were already becoming chilled and I forced my gloves onto my half-numb fingers and looked about, trying to work out which way I was facing, but seeing nothing. In every direction was an endless sea of white. It’s one of my least favourite weather conditions, as I feel so comforted by being able to see where I am, what I’m heading toward and what I want to avoid. The ability to see where I’m going is something I take for granted in the mountains, until it’s gone. I knew there were steep cliffs to the east, so I’d need to take care to avoid those, and started tentatively heading south. My compass led me to a rocky, scrambly ascent that I definitely didn’t pass on the way up to the summit the day before. I was in the wrong place. I felt a slight feeling of dread rising, that fear of being lost in a high place, but swallowed it down, rationalising that I couldn’t be far wrong. The wind was so loud, and buffeted around me relentlessly. Eventually I found a light track in the grass and following it south, taking a tumble at one point when one of my floppy ankles decided to give way, but thankfully not incurring any injury

I came across a random builder’s ladder propped up against a wall, and after a couple of kilometres wandering, I was below the cloud again, and able to see the forest ahead. Down here, the day was wet, but beautiful. Rain was in the air, but the winds had been left behind, and I was overwhelmed with a feeling of peace and freedom. I stopped to admire water drops in the grass, orange fungi, and the rich colours of wet ferns against evergreens. A sweet lil robin hopped about as I had my lunch in the shelter of the trees, and continued on along muddy tracks, before proceeding to jump into thick mud up to my mid shin, thinking I was going to land on a solid bit. This wobbly ground was unnerving me, and I was glad to jump over the last sloshy bit onto a drier track.

I passed a small lake, although despite being only a few metres away it was disappearing into the fog. Sheep wandered about with their heads down, looking quite forlorn. I was still up at 300 metres and was now fairly exposed again, having emerged from the forest onto open moorland. The rain kept falling until I was wet through, but didn’t get cold, warmed by my continued exertion under the weight of my rucksack

Eventually my elevation dropped, and I was back in the forest again, surrounded by autumn colours. It was more sheltered here and leaves fell from the trees as their tops swayed in the winds above. I filled up my water bottles at a river and continued on to find somewhere to stop for the night. It would soon be getting dark, and I was getting tired

After a quick check for widow-makers, the tent went up under a small oak tree. I peeled off my wet clothes, hanging a few damp bits up in the tent, and dumping the really wet stuff into a dreadful soggy pile in the vestibule. I wrapped my hair in my microfibre towel and watched it become dark, listening to the sound of water dripping all around me, and the ethereal ghostly tune of a tawny owl. I wasn’t far from the valley now, where I started out a few days ago. I cooked up some noodles and settled for bed

DAY 4 – distance walked 1km. Total distance for trip 24.3km
 
I woke to my alarm this morning, needing to get back to the car and make the long drive him before my son finished school. I’d had a long sleep, but was interrupted by falling off my mat during the night, and waking up, wondering why on earth I was so cold as I unwittingly lay on the hard November ground. Breakfast was a cinnamon swirl with a chocolate coffee, and I enjoyed it lazily, eyeing my still-soaking-wet hiking clothes in the vestibule and silently cringing. I really didn’t want to put them on.

I decided to make the walk back to the car in my bed clothes. This is not good practice of course; the bed clothes should always stay dry, but it was the last stretch of my journey, and a short one too. I had lots of warm dry clothes in the car, so bypassing that tortured feeling of donning cold, soggy clothes was an easy decision to make.

The wander back was uneventful, following small tracks through the woods, before popping out onto the path that I had taken on day 1, but in the opposite direction. Looking straight ahead, my gaze met the road, where cars whipped by in the distance. I was re-entering civilisation. Always a strange feeling.. a mix of happy relief, and sadness to leave. Landy was waiting patiently for me in the layby as he always does, and I chucked my wet rucksack in the boot, and got into some comfy dry clothes

I didn’t know at the time, but this would be the last time that Landy would take me home from an adventure. My beloved first car failed his MOT so catastrophically the following day, that he had to be scrapped. I’d always been strangely attached to Landy. He’d helped me and changed my life in so many ways. He’d seen my son grown up, from a tiny tot into a young, strapping lad, who’s now taller than me! He’d given me my freedom, taken me to every one of my mountain adventures, helped me to escape dangers, and given me shelter and rest in my cosy car bed. He’d allowed me to guide my life in a direction that I wanted it to go in. I genuinely loved him, and I was heartbroken to have to say goodbye. But what a time we had over our 7 years together
​
Thanks for everything Landy 🤍