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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) Day 2 The second day started warm and bright, and after ravenously demolishing a chocolate coffee and a pastry, I donned my painful boots and hobbled off on my way, still fairly perturbed by the events of the previous evening and planning to take the short way back I wandered down from Moel Eilio and passed Llyn Eigiau, the site of the 1925 dam disaster, the floods of which took 16 lives down in Dolgarrog I was making a conscious effort to walk slowly and tread lightly, and by the time I reached a turning point in the path, I was eager for more adventure and instead of heading back in the direction of the car, I took the way on to do my longer, 30km route. The decision was made :) I ascended Clogwynyreryr, trundled along Clogwyn Maldy and made it all the way to Llyn Melynllyn by lunch. After refuelling, I took on the steep slope between Llyn Melynllyn and Llyn Dulyn, which made me nervous but I managed it fine. After a quick stop off and a paddle at the lake, all clear blue water and blue skies, I followed Pant y Griafolen down to the river valley, giddy and without a care in the world For me, the real magic of this second day was my camp spot. I managed to fit my lil tent onto a tiny outcrop of grass along braided river streams. I dipped in the water and played on the rock boulders outside my tent and marvelled at the gorgeousness of it all as the sun went down I was so glad I hadn't gone home. I guess, sometimes if you can carry on after it gets difficult, you get a reward like this.. pitch perfect, one of my favs. This was a really good day. Distance wise, I was half way, over 15km into my big route. The moon lit up my tent as I slept deeply for 8 hours to the sound of the tumbling water, and there was still so much beauty ahead Day 3 On the morning of Day 3 I woke next to the stream after 8 hours of sleep, packed up and bounced off all refreshed for the days hike – with the aim of finding a waterfall marked on the map in the valley of the Afon Dulyn I dodged a big herd of cows and scrambled my way down the river a little way. It took me a few hours but I eventually found the falls, and gawd, it was beautiful! The water poured over the rock face into a huge, deep, blue-green pool of clear water. Surrounded by ferns and overhanging trees, I could have been in a jungle rainforest I had a swim here and soaked up as much of the gorgeousness as I could, before heading on to find somewhere to pitch for night 3. I crossed Afon Porth-Llwyd, followed the path on the map through the woods, which in reality was a tangled mess of overgrowth and fallen trees, and plopped my tent down on a lovely flat area near rock boulders The next morning was the last few km back to the car, with a stop off for a few jumps into a river gorge pool and a perfect way to end my lil trip :D I was taught by a gorge walking instructor how to jump into this particular pool last year; there’s a particular spot that’s deep enough, and I checked under the water first for any dangers, such as branches (never just jump into water if you don’t know that it’s safe to and deep enough – bones can shatter on rocks and you can skewer yourself on unseen, sharp debris under the water) This trip started really hard, and back on that first night I wanted to quit. Sometimes quitting is the right thing to do, but I’m so glad I stuck with this one. Sometimes it takes a little while for the gratitude to come to be. But when the fear and exhaustion has passed, I come to realise that I loved all of this trip, bad parts and all. I love every scratch and bump and bruise. But it’s more than that. I love not just my blessings in life, but my hardships too. Everything that got me here in the first place. I’m so grateful. Distance-wise, this was not my biggest trek yet at 28km, but it may have been my greatest journey. This was also one of my favourite adventure films to create, taking a long 3 weeks of editing, I hope you like it too 😊 Comments are closed.
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