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.
Walking Up Snowdon Via The South Ridge
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
Learning About Forager’s Gin
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
Highlights of the Weekend
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
Special Thanks
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.
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