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Day 1 Man, what a day this was! It started so well, with both an 18km and a 30km circular route planned (I would decide which to do later on, depending on how my floppy joints did with it all). So with fresh legs, I set off straight into a thoroughly enjoyable scramble up the Afon Ddu gorge I'd had a guided gorge walk here last year, so I was familiar with the route. Although, with my huge rucksack and no ropes or helmet, this time around was more of a poodling-up-the-sides and paddling-across-a-few-pools than a full on gorge walk. Naturally I cautiously made it all the way up to the 'big waterfall'. It was so beautiful here. The gorge walls were steep and high and completely surrounded the falls and the plunge pool, the sun just peeking over the rim of the gorge, and then sinking out of view Aware of the chill I might get in the shade, I had just a quick dunk before heading back down the gorge to the path and continuing on my way. I'd planned to camp on Moel Eilio and had just a few km of what I assumed would be fairly easy hiking I was wrong about that, haha! After the gorge, the path started steep but easy, a track up through Coed Dollgarog. But the track soon turned to nothing, and nothing soon turned to overgrown crazy. Just as I was getting tired out and the sun was disappearing behind the hill, overgrown crazy turned into boggy hell. In my attempt to avoid an obvious, endless bog crossing my way, I had ended up a fair distance onto a 250m wide area of thick, sticky, grass covered mud. The kind you get sucked in and stuck in, like half-set cement This stretch had me reduced to tears.. Balance on wobbly grass tuft Slip Foot gets sucked down Fall over Repeat. When I eventually collapsed, exhausted into my tent on Moel Eilio, rubbing my sore feet, I was questioning my life choices and had an uncomfortable feeling of wanting to go home The moon and stars danced about my tent and Llyn Cowlyd; the deepest lake in North Wales, and my view for the evening. I would wake up rested and go on to have one of my favourite trips ever. Sometimes, you just gotta sleep on it 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 *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 Lanshan Pro 1 3FUL+Footprint Seam Seal https://amzn.to/39MXlY1 Double Hook Apparatus https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Lyocel towel (condensation) https://amzn.to/45t7tO6 DCF Sml Tarp https://WildSkyGear.co.uk +Titanium Pin Pegs https://amzn.to/3NtxOU2 TREKKING POLES Fizan Compact https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj SLEEP SYSTEM Bag Rab Ascent 500 https://amzn.to/3NSMcnn Mat Thermarest XLite https://amzn.to/3L8r4Ym Pillow Trekology Aluft https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1 Light AF Mat, cut in half https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Kloke Bivi Bag (protects sleeping bag) RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Decathlon 10L Waist Bag Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk DCF Zip Pouches & food cell https://WildSkyGear.co.uk SIT MAT Cheapo one https://amzn.to/3yP22u8 FIELD REPAIRS Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq Spare cordage https://amzn.to/3hlefRW COOKING Stove https://amzn.to/3cM173q Gas https://amzn.to/3z5qV5L 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 Microfibre Cloths https://amzn.to/3rHZYyf Bag (rubbish) WATER & HYDRATION Bottle for camp LifeStraw 1L Filter Squeeze Bottle https://amzn.to/3lE8GA6 PERSONAL CARE Tissue Baby wipes Hand sanitiser Trowel https://amzn.to/3etBVz9 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 Fuka Eri 50 SPF Natural Sun Block https://amzn.to/3Mq3dq3 Cheap Sunglasses https://amzn.to/3q5wSwR 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 Alcohol Wipes TICK, MOZZIE & MIDGE PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB Rose Geranium Oil https://amzn.to/3jY4YwJ Lemon Eucalyptus Oil https://amzn.to/3rzROdq Head Bug Net https://amzn.to/3J0OAZf CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Boots North Ridge Womens Traverse https://amzn.to/3Lx1VZV (not working out for me but no fault of the boots) Arch Support Insoles https://amzn.to/3q7XAoA Spare Bootlaces https://amzn.to/3VizVh2 Grangers Natural Beeswax https://amzn.to/44bT0Ft Navy leggings Primark Vest Mountain Warehouse https://amzn.to/3OvmBEo Rab Nexus Hoody https://amzn.to/3oRMTG7 Down Puffy Decathlon SWIMMING Swim Shorts https://amzn.to/43929Oq Water Shoes https://amzn.to/3HaxXY7 Microfibre Towel https://amzn.to/43qSZwh Back at home between trips, consider washing your swim clothes and swim shoes in products that are kinder to the water. I’m currently using Tru Earth https://amzn.to/40n1YMZ ELECTRONICS 24,000 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3K6XmWF USB/C Adapters https://amzn.to/3MqY0Oo 10cm USB C Cables https://amzn.to/3IHqFhf 15cm Micro USB Cables https://amzn.to/3MRtr61 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR Thermometer https://amzn.to/3TMdw9n GPS / NAVIGATION / PLB Garmin Inreach Mini https://amzn.to/3sVBi9f Backpack Tether https://amzn.to/3sTRibM Map & Compass Phone https://amzn.to/3An5PQ7 FILMING Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ Ulanzi Wide Angle Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA Sony Lav Mic https://amzn.to/3OOtvlC 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/32Zb87n x2 GoPro 10’s https://amzn.to/3T9CDUB Wind Shields https://amzn.to/3TesuWA Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3ww70Lf Dome Port https://amzn.to/3Su4kX7 Chest Mount https://amzn.to/2TlfxQI 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 Fly More Combo https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ + an old iphone to control it – my phone is not compatible 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Seagate 10TB Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj 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.. Dan Phillipson Risen From The Ashes This We Remember Veace D True Perfection Lost in the Haze Disolved in Loneliness Lightness Rustle of Leaves Yari Doctor Yes Denis Pavlov Boundless Space Ester Found Lance Conrad Affection Twins Music Rise EdRecords Magical Zac Nelson Haunting Winter Snow (all from Bensound with subscription) A night out in the mountains getting reacquainted with the Lanshan Pro 1, before taking it out on a multi-night trip This was a hot day in May. 18/19°C in the shade, but my thermometer hit 40°C in the sun. I was meltingg 🫠 (hiking in anything over 14°C usually = melted Beare). But of course, the tumbling river was there to cool me down, and I had a beautiful evening, having a refresher with the tent and trying to figure out why I had a Flappy Front Bit 🤔 The sun set over the hills and Jupiter rose. The lil glowing head torches of the night hikers on the opposite mountain became visible in the dark (can you guess which mountain it is?) It made me feel all warm and cosy inside, wondering who they were and what kind of adventures they were having 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 *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 Lanshan Pro 1 3FUL + Footprint Seam Seal https://amzn.to/39MXlY1 TREKKING POLES Fizan Compact https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj SLEEP SYSTEM Sleeping Bag Leviathan OEX 900 https://amzn.to/3CEQriw Neoair Thermarest Xtherm Max Regular https://amzn.to/3uSjiLt Trekology Aluft Delux Pillow https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1 Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Kloke Bivi Bag – protects sleeping bag from condensation or tent failure RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Decathlon 10L Waist Bag Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk SIT MAT Cheapo one 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 DD Superlight Guy Rope (spare cordage) https://amzn.to/3hlefRW 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.6 https://amzn.to/3ad0HAo Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi Bag for rubbish WATER & HYDRATION x2 Bottles for camp 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 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 Latex Glove https://amzn.to/2YSBHJ9 30 SPF Natural Sun Cream https://amzn.to/421XEEq Fuka Eri 50 SPF Natural Sun Block https://amzn.to/3Mq3dq3 Cheap Sunglasses https://amzn.to/3q5wSwR MED KIT Pain relief Plasters & blister plasters Wound Dressing & Small Bandage Alcohol Wipes TICK, MOZZIE & MIDGE PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB Rose Geranium Oil https://amzn.to/3jY4YwJ Lemon Eucalyptus Oil https://amzn.to/3rzROdq Tick Removal Tool https://amzn.to/3rHfkFp Head Bug Net CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Boots North Ridge Womens Traverse https://amzn.to/3Lx1VZV Spare Bootlaces https://amzn.to/3VizVh2 Grangers Natural Beeswax for Boots https://amzn.to/44bT0Ft Navy leggings Primark Merino Mix Vest Decathlon Rab Women’s Nexus Hoody https://amzn.to/3oRMTG7 Down Puffy Decathlon RIVER CROSSING / SWIMMING Water Shoes https://amzn.to/3HaxXY7 Microfibre Towel https://amzn.to/43qSZwh Back at home between trips, consider washing your swim clothes and swim shoes in products that are kinder to the water. I’m currently using Tru Earth https://amzn.to/40n1YMZ ELECTRONICS 20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2 10cm USB C Cables https://amzn.to/3IHqFhf 15cm Micro USB Cables https://amzn.to/3MRtr61 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR 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 Sony Lav Mic https://amzn.to/3OOtvlC 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/32Zb87n x2 GoPro 10’s https://amzn.to/3T9CDUB Wind Shields https://amzn.to/3TesuWA Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3ww70Lf Dome Port https://amzn.to/3Su4kX7 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 Fly More Combo https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ + an old iphone to control it – my phone is not compatible 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v TRAIL CAM GardePro A3 Wildlife Camera https://amzn.to/3LOa8Y0 AA Batteries https://amzn.to/3jkj5w7 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/37xKebX COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci (Free) Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Seagate 10TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj A lil 24 hour adventure! I’d arrived with my big 3.5x3.5 tarp and a plan to make a cosy nook in an old stone hut house in the mountains that I'd found on the map But, I found the lil house half collapsed and worrying that the rest of it might collapse on me during the night, I decided to carry on looking for somewhere else to camp On my way I came across a river, with the water pouring over a rocky overhang like a curtain that you could go behind. I played in the cool water before heading into the forest on the other side of the river The forest was lush and green with patches of bluebells and a chorus of cuckoo. I wasn't exactly sure what to do with my unwieldy and massive tarp, but I managed to erect a nice lean to using a ridge-line and my trekking pokes, with the most beautiful views I settled down for my tea, watched the sun set behind the mountains, and tried out my new gas canister lantern (love it, so cosy!) The sky grew dark around midnight and the stars came out, covering the sky like glitter. I fell into a deep and lovely sleep and woke to the sunlight peeking rounded the tarp and the cuckoo doing its thing I lingered here a while, soaking it all up. The day was warm, and after packing up and hiking down, I crossed the river and found a nice pool to have a proper dunk in before lunch in the sun 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 SHELTER DD 3.5x3.5m Multi-cam Tarp https://amzn.to/38hvHSf Tent Pegs https://amzn.to/3PMvCqB Paracord https://amzn.to/3yfsN8I Carabiners https://amzn.to/3uuUBWB DD Magic Carpet Regular https://amzn.to/3xObUVl TREKKING POLES Fizan Compact 158g https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj SLEEP SYSTEM Sleeping Bag Leviathan OEX 900 https://amzn.to/3CEQriw Sleep Mat Neoair Thermarest Xtherm Max https://amzn.to/3uSjiLt Trekology Aluft Delux Pillow https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1 Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Hunka XL Bivi Bag RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Decathlon 10L Waist Bag Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk SIT MAT Cheapo one https://amzn.to/3yP22u8 GPS / NAVIGATION / PLB Garmin Inreach Mini https://amzn.to/3sVBi9f Garmin Backpack Tether https://amzn.to/3sTRibM Map & Compass Phone https://amzn.to/3An5PQ7 FIELD REPAIRS Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq Duct Tape (I wrap it around my trekking pole) https://amzn.to/3qPKFEF DD Superlight Guy Rope (spare cordage) https://amzn.to/3hlefRW 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.6 https://amzn.to/3ad0HAo Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi Bag for rubbish LANTERN Fire Maple Firefly Gas Canister Lantern https://amzn.to/3Btutyy WATER & HYDRATION x2 Bottles for camp Oasis Purification Tablets (in case of broken filter) https://amzn.to/3cSkszU 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 Hair band Lip balm Talc Pure Aloe Vera Gel https://amzn.to/3GYQ4Cc 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 MED KIT Pain relief Antihistamine Plasters & blister plasters Torniquet (only use with knowledge of how to use safely) Wound Dressing & Small Bandage Alcohol Wipes TICK, MOZZIE & MIDGE PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB Rose Geranium Oil https://amzn.to/3jY4YwJ Lemon Eucalyptus Oil https://amzn.to/3rzROdq Tick Removal Tool https://amzn.to/3rHfkFp Head Bug Net CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Boots North Ridge Womens Traverse https://amzn.to/3Lx1VZV Grangers Natural Beeswax for Boots https://amzn.to/44bT0Ft Leggings Primark Merino Mix Vest Decathlon Rab Women’s Nexus Hoody Midlayer https://amzn.to/3oRMTG7 Down Puffy Decathlon ELECTRONICS 20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) RIVER CROSSING / SWIMMING Spare set of undies Water Shoes https://amzn.to/3HaxXY7 Back at home between trips, consider washing your swim clothes and swim shoes in products that are kinder to the water. I’m currently using Tru Earth https://amzn.to/40n1YMZ FILMING Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ Ulanzi Wide Angle & Macro Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq ZV1 Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA Sony Lav Mic https://amzn.to/3OOtvlC 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/32Zb87n 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 Chest Mount https://amzn.to/2TlfxQI 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 Fly More Combo https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ + an old iphone to control it – my phone is not compatible 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v TRAIL CAM GardePro A3 Wildlife Camera https://amzn.to/3LOa8Y0 AA Batteries https://amzn.to/3jkj5w7 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/37xKebX COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci (Free) Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Seagate 10TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj |
