Dragging Mr CWS along, I set off straight from work on Friday evening, and at 8.20pm we arrive at Llyn Gwynant campsite. The moon is almost full and we head to where the Outdoors Bloggers group are camped. I can just make out the imposing shapes of steep hills all around us, and the moon glints off the lake as we approach the group and meet our fellow outdoors bloggers, who up until now, I’ve only ever talked to online.
The brainchild of Zoe from Splodz Blogz and Jenni from The Thrifty Magpies Nest, Outdoors Bloggers is a group that consists of a variety of different people who write about their love of the great outdoors from various different perspectives.
From award winning mountain bikers, to nature lovers; kayakers to keen campers like myself, we’re a group who already share a love of the great outdoors and I’m in an excitable mood despite the long working week and our late arrival.
Last to arrive, we say a quick hello to those around the blazing campfire (at this point I just want to flop beside it and drink Gin), then we start the task of setting up camp. Setup is made more challenging by the dark, our enormous tent and the absurd amount of camping gear we feel compelled to bring with us. With help from Helen from Camping Tails, it’s not long before we’re set up and able to join everyone at the fire. I offer chilled Prosecco around (of which I seem to drink most of) and we all get better acquainted.
Our rainbow bell tent next to Camping Tails’ Lotus Belle
Finally all assembled, Zoe and Jenni give a welcome speech and surprise us with fantastic goodie bags (more about those later). Sat together around the campfire, we’re told about the plan for tomorrow’s walk up Snowdon. It’s a walk I’ve never done before it’s one of the things I wanted to achieve this year, and whilst I’m shattered, I’m full of excitement and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
As usual, with scant regard for the consequences, I drink too much, and get to bed around midnight, the tent spinning slightly. I set my alarm for 7.30 and as I drift of I note that the night is surprisingly mild for mid October. I sleep soundly.
The lake at Llyn Gwynant campsite
I wake up to the ominous sound of rain, and after a hearty breakfast and a large mug of coffee, we pack our backpacks, making sure we include the recommended 2 liters of water. I consider myself to be of moderate fitness, but my long term health problems are often a source of uncertainty, so I’m full of nervous energy and keen to get going.
The group assembles at 8:45am, and we chat excitedly about the day ahead. We’re met at the campsite by Ross and Craig from Climb Snowdon, who give us advice on kit, supplies and safety and brief us on the route we’re going to take that day.
Learning more about the area from Ross at the start of our walk
I’m already aware we won’t be taking one of the routes up that are considered ‘easy’ and as I find out we are going to be lead up the Rhyd Ddu path and on towards the South Ridge; a lesser used more difficult path, excitement gives way to trepidation.
Some of the other bloggers have been chatting about, what I consider to be, pretty hardcore activities that they’ve done. Everything from cycling hundreds of miles to competitive endurance events. To say I’m a little intimidated at this stage would be an understatement. I’ve learned over the last couple of years that having a positive mindset is important when attempting new things, outside of your usual comfort zone, so I I don’t let it dent my enthusiasm.
Helen from Camping Tails and me on our way up
We share cars and after a short drive, we arrive at the foot of Snowdon. After a further briefing, we’re off and as the clouds part the rain relents, making way for patches of clear blue sky.
As is always the case in a group, there are clear differences in ability and experience. With some zooming off ahead and others lagging a bit further behind. I’m relieved to be told I have pretty much the ideal average pace for the group, and whilst the thought of being average is horrifying, I’m relieved not to be holding everyone up as I’d feared.
We stop for a breather near the slate mine. Don’t tell anyone, but I had a nature wee here
As we pass the old slate mine heading towards the South Ridge a few hours into the walk I’m in high spirits, thinking smugly how easy it is so far. This soon changes as we continue making our way up the lesser walked South Ridge. The terrain changes and I’m ushered ahead for my first ever scramble. I’m fearful, but guide Craig sticks close to me and gives me the confidence to push on, and I find I actually enjoy it.
Then we get to a second scramble, and it’s so rocky and steep I am instantly terrified. At the front, I am encouraged up again, but my fear of heights has me literally shaking. More challenging, this section of the walk takes careful concentration, but I’m battling to keep my fear in check.
Still smiling despite the terrifying scramble!
As I scramble I’m aware that I can’t breathe, not because I’m out of breath from exertion, but because I am in the middle of having a full blown panic attack. As I realise this and fight for breath, through sheer stubborn will, I quickly talk myself down and force myself to regulate my breathing. I finally reach the end of the steep scramble, and can do nothing but stand there silent and wide eyed as the shaking subsides. I’m assured that the scariest bit is over, and after a few minutes I recover my ability to talk before pushing on towards the summit.
One of the easy bits of the climb up Snowdon
Super visibility as we gain height
Mr CWS and I have only been hill walking for the past 18 months, and still consider ourselves very much novices. Neither of us has tackled Snowdon before, and we’ve never done a ridge walk, scramble or anything remotely technical. As we walk across a precarious section of the South Ridge I focus on my boots, taking deep breathes to ward off the terror that my vertigo fills me with when faced with large drops either side of me. I cope with it better than the scramble and just crack on. With that section over, I’m back to feeling strong and am now confident I’ll make the summit.
Nearing the summit
The route wasn’t an ‘easy’ tourist route, but was perfect for our group
Check out that for a stunning view!
We made it to the summit!
The final push to the summit see’s us engulfed in clouds, but I can still just about make out the distant peaks that make up the Snowdonia range. The route suddenly gets busy as we reach the top. So busy in fact that we end up in an orderley queue, and it takes some 10 minutes before we get our chance to capture the obligatory Trig point shot. I feel truly elated, and thinking back to just 18 months ago, I’d never have believed I could do it (check out rebuilding an active life in the face of chronic pain and depression).
Scenery on the way back down the Rhyd Ddu path
The sense of elation stays with me all the way down, which takes just 2 hours following the popular Rhyd Ddu path back to the car park. I have a huge grin plastered on my face and as I dawdle, stopping to take photographs, I get caught behind the front group and few minutes ahead of the rear group. Without a soul in site, I loudly congratulate myself and find myself having conversations with the sheep I pass as I happily make my way down to wait for the rest of the group.
Making my way back down as the sun starts to set
It’s smiles all round and after over 8 hours walking, it’s a relief to sit back in the car. As we make our way back to the campsite we find ourselves chattering about the highs and lows of the walk and how much we can’t wait to get a shower and eat dinner.
Walking back down the Rhyd Ddu path
The GPS map of our walk
Back at the campsite, we are joined by Chris from Forager’s Gin, who tells us the fascinating story behind his artisan gin. The enormous size of my tent, and the lure of the wood burner, makes it the ideal setting for the group to assemble in.
19 people inside our tent, as well as the wood burner and all of our usual camping gear!
We learn that all of the ingredients are foraged from within Snowdonia, giving Forager’s Gin its truly unique taste. We sample both the clean yet punchy Black Label, and the summery, more fruity Yellow Label. I make a mental note to get my order in for a large bottle of Yellow Label as soon as I get home.
On Sunday morning some of the bloggers take to the water. Despite my love of kayaking my back is already suffering and I’m unable to take part knowing that take-down will take a good couple of hours, so we busy ourselves packing down whilst the others go for a paddle.
Alyssia and Zoe on the water
We say our final goodbyes and as I drive home I’m feeling happy yet somewhat pensive. Thinking about the other outdoors bloggers, I realise that we’re really all just regular people, most of us holding down full time day jobs, doing all we can to fit nature driven micro-adventures into our busy lives, and writing about the things we enjoy. We’ve all got our unique angles, and everyone I chatted to in the group shared the same passion and respect for the outdoors. We all have our own strengths, areas of expertise and interests but rarely have I met a group where those various things have gelled so well, and I feel content and balanced as I always do after spending time outdoors.
Me with my fab Outdoor Bloggers 2016 goody bag
It goes without saying that we both had a fantastic weekend, and all that remains is to say a big thank you to Jenni and Zoe for all of their hard work in making the weekend happen.
Huge thanks too to all of the sponsors who helped make it so memorable, including Mud & Routes, Climb Snowdon and Forager’s Gin. I absolutely loved my Goodie bag and was delighted with the treats inside including a fab Buff from Kitshack, Hi-Tec walking socks, tasty snacks from Real Handful and a fab waterproof mobile phone case.
We loved the Llyn Gwynant campsite so much we’ve decided to write a separate review about it, which I’ll link to very soon.
The post Scaling Snowdon – Outdoor Bloggers Weekend 2016 appeared first on Camping with Style Active Travel & Adventure Blogs.
Autumn is a brilliant time of year to get outdoors and explore. As well as being our favourite time of year for camping, we also love Autumn walks. At this time of year a warm outer layer is a must, and something with good levels of wind protection and waterproofing will help you stay comfy as you clock up the miles.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite jackets for Autumn/Winter 2016, that will help you to beat the elements.
1. Salomon Women’s Mauka Gore-Tex Jacket £99The Salomon Women’s Mauka Gore-Tex Jacket is a light, packable waterproof ideal for hiking and trekking or urban commuting, boasting a unique fabric developed in collaboration with GORE-TEX® PACLITE. Buy it here.
2. Tog 24 Fusion Men’s Milatex 3 in 1 jacket £69.95A high performance 3 in 1 jacket, the Fusion features a technical MILATEX rip stop outer fabric and a warm TCZ zipped inner layer for added comfort and insulation. Ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. Buy it here
Perhaps the ultimate Winter jacket, the Rocket had an on trend look combined with the performance of technical fabrics. MILATEX delivers waterproof, windproof and breathable protection. Buy it here
4. Regatta Mens Ellingwood Waterproof Breathable Marl Effect Jacket £58.60A jacket to get you through all seasons, introducing the mens Ellingwood from Regatta. Featuring Waterproof and breathable Isotex 5000 marl fabric with a durable water repellent finish and a warm taffeta lining. Buy it here
5. Joules Waterproof Hooded Jacket £89.99This pretty floral design jacket from Joules has taped seams for a waterproof design and it features soft lining for added warmth and comfort. Buy it here.
6. Trespass Callan Packaway Waterproof Boys Jacket £35.99The jacket is designed with a layer of our Tres-Shield fabric and offers up to 5,000mm of waterproof protection with taped seams to prevent leaking. Buy it here
7. The North Face Men’s Venture Jacket from £70.40This light weight jacket won the Editors’ Choice Green Award from Backpacker Magazine. It’s waterproof and breathable, and the jacket’s HyVent (2. 5-layer) membrane blocks outside moisture whilst allowing perspiration to evaporate. Buy it here
8. Regatta Girls Bouncy Waterproof Jacket £24.17Providing warmth and weather protection, Regatta’s Bouncy jacket for girls is both waterproof and breathable, with an insulated lining – which all combine to keep her warm and dry. Buy it here
Trusted GORE-TEX® technology plus sleek pro styling underpin the appeal of this light, yet fabulously protective stretch jacket. Designed to deliver outstanding performance in all weathers with impressive efficiency. Buy it here
10. Trespass Cassius Mens DLX Waterproof Jacket £96.99Waterproof up to 10,000mm with taped seams that keep moisture out of its stitching, the jacket is also breathable to 5,000mvp and has a windproof design. Buy it here
The post 10 Great Wet & Windy Weather Walking Jackets appeared first on Camping with Style Active Travel & Adventure Blogs.
When we first heard about Bundle Beds and their Kickstarter campaign, we loved the look of it, and were keen to spread the word. The campaign was a roaring success, and once launched, they were kind enough to send us one over.
Now, reviewing the Bundle Bed as a standalone camp bed is something, that because of my back injury I can’t honestly do. Instead, what I’ve decided to do is show you how I use mine.
Each bundle includes a self inflating mattress which forms the base of the bed, and attached to that is the duvet with lovely soft jersey cotton cover, and a fabulous little striped pillow. The attention to detail and design is simply stunning. Whilst the self inflating mattress is not padded enough for me to use on it’s own, it provides me with a super comfy extra layer of padding and insulation, and I use it on top of my fishing bed, as you can see in the pictures below.
My Bundle Bed rolled out on top of my fishing bed
I’ve used by Bundle Bed on a couple of camping trips now, and to say it’s brilliant would be an understatement. Let’s be honest at £199.99 for the adult sized bed, it’s not cheap, but boy is it beautiful and most importantly, it provides a great nights sleep.
Close up details
It is perfectly designed for camping, with heavy duty clasps and carry straps, which makes it ideal for car campers who want a bit of extra comfort.
The built in pillow
When camping in the middle of October, the nights are pretty chilly, and In the past I’ve spent Autumn nights shivering in my sleeping bag, even with a hot water bottle, feather duvet and fleece blankets on top!
Last weekend, I not only slept like a baby, but I was super warm and cosy too – the 15 Tog duvet is fantastic and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever spent a cosier night in my tent.
The large Bundle Bed retails at £199.99 and the small Bundle Bed retails at £149.99 and there are a couple of different colour options available.
Find out more about Bundle Beds.
The post Bundle Bed Roll Out Camp Beds – My Cosiest Ever Night Under Canvas! appeared first on Camping With Style Travel & Adventure Blog.
One of the best things about running this blog, is getting contacted by British brands launching exciting new products. Normally, it’s outdoors gear and gadgets, but when Buddy Bear Design Company got in touch recently, they suggested I take a look at their nature inspired jewellery.
I immediately fell in love with their gorgeous mountain design necklace (priced £9.99), and they were lovely enough to send me one. In fact it arrived the day I got home after climbing Snowdon, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect and I absolutely love it.
As well as their mountain range necklace (in silver and gold colours), they have stag antler necklaces and other lovely designs to choose from.
I’m not going to say the ‘C’ word just yet, as we’re not even at Halloween as I write this, but there’s never any harm in forward planning, and I think their jewellery makes the ideal gift for lovers of nature and great outdoors.
The range also includes printed tee’s and they’re currently working on bracelets too. Check out their range and find out more about Buddy Bear Design Company.
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This is one of my rare personal posts, a musing on my own struggles with chronic pain and depression. I wanted to publish it last week in time for mental health awareness week, but I was too busy, so here it is now.
Living with disability and chronic pain can bring with it a number of challenges. From personal experience, the frustration of often being unable to do what I want to do has affected my mental health, causing my depression to resurface. During my recovery, maintaining a healthy weight became much more challenging, and trying to stay active when my body was unable to cooperate was maddening, all of which contributed to a very dark state of mind.
Without wishing to bang on about it, for those that are perhaps visiting the blog for the first time, let’s put my own experience into perspective.
I’d always been relatively active and was moderately fit. I loved the gym and much preferred being up and outdoors to sitting around. Then, back in 2014 I had a snowboarding accident and I broke my back, a compression fracture of my T10 to be exact.
My immune system kicked in, but sadly stayed switched on, even after my back had improved (though it will never fully heal now). My own immune system started to attack my healthy joints, leading to systemic inflammation and a double diagnosis of Sero-Negative Palindromic Rheumatism and Fibromyalgia. Whilst I’ve never accepted the latter diagnosis, to make things more difficult, different experts don’t agree on my joint condition. My current specialist believes I have pre-radiographic Ankylosing Spondylitis. I also have disk lesions throughout my lumbar spine, and my T10 has a permanent bulge.
I’ve grown accustomed to living with constant unrelenting pain; something anyone with chronic pain will identify with.
I have days where rolling over in bed, bending over, getting in or out of the car or getting dressed on my own is agony, but I’ve grown accustomed to living with constant unrelenting pain; something anyone with chronic pain will identify with.
I was literally mourning the loss of my old life.
In the early days I felt a great deal of sorrow, and not knowing whether I’d be wheelchair bound or not, caused me to become withdrawn and depressed; I was literally mourning the loss of my old life. My future felt bleak and for a short time, I was of a mindset that if I couldn’t enjoy the outdoors and feel the buzz of adrenaline that things like snowboarding provided me, then life was pretty much pointless.
I refused anti-depressants having been down that route many years before when I suffered from post partum depression. I was simply advised to work fewer days and to lower my expectations of what I could do. Walking for any distance was painful for many months, the Body Pump gym classes I used to do were now impossible, and I couldn’t even manage gentle Yoga or Pilates.
Determined to do something, I summoned all of my courage and went back to the gym after 6 weeks away. I went swimming, and whilst it certainly wasn’t pain free, I managed a short swim. Instead of feeling happy I’d found something I was in turmoil. A 20 minute swim seemed pathetic compared to what I used to do, and the hopeless feeling and self loathing were at an all time high. I became even more withdrawn and It was at that low point, that I realised I had a choice.
I could either admit defeat and let the pain and disability limit my life, or I could do everything I possibly could to overcome it.
Out walking at Tittesworth Reservoir
Gradually I moved from feeling like my life was over, to recognising how lucky I was. As the months went by, I realised I should be grateful that I wasn’t paralysed, and so I started using the mantra “it could have been so much worse”. It was around this time too that the #ThisGirlCan advertising campaign hit, and it really resonated with me.
The change in mindset galvanised me into action, as well as starting this blog, I did more of the only thing I could do at that time, which was swimming. I started getting up at 6am and going every morning before work. After a couple of months, the physical activity had banished much of my depression, and I was able to begin accepting and shaping the ‘new’ me.
I was doing things that some of my able-bodied friends couldn’t do, and that realisation was epic and spurred me on.
Instead of focusing on the things I couldn’t do, I focused on the positives. I thought about how determined I must be for sticking to my morning swimming routine, how tough I was because I wasn’t choosing the easy option and I looked better and felt fitter too….and I was doing it all despite being in so much pain that I’d often be crying into the pool as I swam.
Gradually I stopped feeling like a victim and I felt like a warrior. I was doing things that some of my depression free, able-bodied friends couldn’t do, and that realisation was epic and helped to spurr me on.
I started to congratulate myself and to be kinder to myself, which helped lift my self esteem. After a couple of months of swimming 5 days I week, I started doing gentle Yoga at home in the evening too. Then I started going out for little walks at lunch time at work and gradually my fitness started to increase again and I lost almost 3 stone, and amazingly, I now felt like I was managing my pain and not the other way around.
With any kind of chronic pain and/or disability it is so easy to let it win. From the many forums I’d participated in, it felt like some people with a similar diagnosis to me used it as an excuse to be lazy. Giving them a reason to not even bother trying; validating their decision to sit on the sofa and watch TV all day. Admitting defeat occasionally is necessary I’ve learned, but left unchecked, that can quickly become the norm that impacts peoples beliefs and expectations of themselves.
Of course I’m aware that all chronic pain is not the same, and disability is subjective and varies greatly in how badly it impacts peoples lives. It’s not always a simple case of mind of matter and I’m in now way suggesting laziness is to blame, but in my experience, a change in mindset can have a huge impact both mentally and physically.
I’ve learned that the stress relieving effects of both physical activity and spending time outdoors in the natural world is critical to my mental wellbeing, even more so than for my physical wellbeing.
I learned not to blame myself or beat myself up, though this was hard. After the accident I could barely move, and I put on weight and it caused self loathing that fueled my depression. Building up my activity levels again gave me a different perspective on myself, doing something was better than nothing, however futile it felt at the time.
Acceptance of my limitations was something that I battled against for a long time. I was strong and capable and could do anything I felt like doing prior to the accident, so coming to terms with the fact that this was no longer the case, was probably the most difficult thing for me.
Learning to listen to my body and rest when necessary, and even having to cancel plans, is something I do still battle with. I’m rubbish at resting, and as a result end up operating at full capacity for months on end, then I tend to burn out and crash. This is something I’m still trying to improve on…but when I do get a truly bad day, I no longer beat myself up about it or feel guilty.
With the right mindset I have learned that my chronic pain can be managed. I moved from a negative, frustrated tone of self-talk, to forcing myself to think more positively, remembering my mantra “it could have been worse” all the time. I have the odd day, when I don’t win; when the pain is unrelenting and I’m so exhausted from constantly fighting it, that my body just gives in and forces me to take a rest day, and that’s OK.
Taking each day as it comes, no longer being scared to make plans or push myself, is the mindset that has turned me into a warrior; a person I can be proud of being, and that’s played a big part in managing my depression and spurring me onwards into doing things I’d never thought I’d be able to do.
If you’d have told me two years ago that in 2016 I would be walking up mountains, that climbing would be my new hobby or that I’d be snowboarding again, I simply would not have believed it. It all started with me swimming for just 20 minutes twice a week, then for an hour 5 days a week. Each time I did something new, the positive reinforcement helped me gain in confidence.
A few months later I tried my very first hill walk. It was agony, but I did it! After that, I planned more hill walks and found I was capable of walking for 9 hours straight. I took a kayak out on the water for the first time in 18 months, I went snowboarding again, I booked an indoor climbing session, and gradually I found myself doing more and more simply because I believed I could.
I feel like the accident, and the resulting disability and depression has actually given me a chance to reinvent myself. I’ve learned so much about myself and have realised that I’m far tougher and more determined than I ever knew, in fact I’m writing this after reaching the summit of Snowdon a few days ago.
The result? I am happier than ever with the ‘me’ I’ve fought for the last 2 years to become. I do have physical limitations, which I now accept and I still have bad days too, but I no longer let them win and I constantly challenge the negative self-talk that plagued me when I was depressed.
It’s never too late to strive to be more active, and spending more time outdoors could actually provide the space and clarity you need to breakthrough your current limitations and surprise yourself. Just keep telling yourself you can.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, check out mind.co.uk
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