Lads and Dads Camp: Clip Snowdonia

Following on from last years trip up Arenig Fach (cammping at Llyn Arenig Fach) we took the lads this year to the Clip.  We left around 9.30am and got to the Victoria Inn at Llandbedr for lunch and a few sccops around 12.30.  We then drove the short distance to park overnight at Llyn Cwm Bychan.  From here it is a short walk to reach the summit of clip but with no paths and the lads with little legs the going was slow.  We had planned to camp near a Llyn again but the area surrounding Llyn Eiddew-mawr was thick and boggy.  We did, however find a suitable place south of Llyn: a sheepfold.  Afer a breif time clearing bracken we had the perfect pitch, near to running water too!  The weather was very kind to us (all of UK there wer flood warnings on the 7th & 8th of July) so we were glad to have dug our heels in and believed in the weather forecasts rather than listening to the grandparents!  The lads both really enjoyed it.  The terrain was tough going for them but that seemed to make it more rewarding too.  Photos to follow:

Nice one mate, looks like the kids we're enjoying themselves, didn't think that possible away from the xbox .

Like the view from your pitch, did you go for a swim. ?

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Hi Geoff; they loved it.  It was hard going for them though.  It was up to our knees but around their thighs.  A bit tougher for them than last year (Arenig Fach) but they certainly enjoyed it.  I intended to swim but didn't in the end.

Mole, we could see the Rhinogs, turn right where we turned left up the Clip and you head up the Roman steps.  We might take them there next; or Arenig Fawr.  It is a lovely place.

Here an o/s snip with the sheepfold in the centre:

My eldest is 11.  I would not consider taking him so far away from designated paths.  My wife would consider this to be too dangerous and I am inclined to agree.

Pinky - you were in the Rhinogs (the Rhinogydd is the range not just the 2 Rhinog peaks).  It's a lovely country for sure - really wild and rocky.  Seems to take twice as long walking anywhere compared to many other areas.

We are going up to stay  in Porthmadoc with our family, soon so might make it up there again

Simon Webster 2 wrote (see)

My eldest is 11.  I would not consider taking him so far away from designated paths.  My wife would consider this to be too dangerous and I am inclined to agree.

That's a bit sad IMO.  Is it statistically any more dangerous than crossing or cycling on a road? or even being driven somewhere?  I doubt it.

Anyhow, where they camped isn't that far from a mapped and well defined footpath (1km) and 3km max back to a road - probably had a mobile signal available too.   not exactly Touching the void type terrain.

Mole, I realised exactly what you meant after I had posted that (about the Rhinogs).

I shall be camping in your neck of the woods (Dartmoor) again sometime early next week.  I will probably head from West to East taking in Grim's Grave and the many other Cists in the immediate area there.  I intend to camp near water again and will be heading out towards South Brent (the exit near Avondale Reservoir).  

Didds, I am waiting for the day Montane release a breathable flowery shirt.

Nice one! I think kids always remember the tough outings with a certain fondness - you'll probs be sharing a tent and a brew with them in 10 years, taking about this very weekend. 

SW2 - 

Mole wrote (see)

Simon Webster 2 wrote (see)

My eldest is 11.  I would not consider taking him so far away from designated paths.  My wife would consider this to be too dangerous and I am inclined to agree.

That's a bit sad IMO.  Is it statistically any more dangerous than crossing or cycling on a road? or even being driven somewhere?  I doubt it.

Anyhow, where they camped isn't that far from a mapped and well defined footpath (1km) and 3km max back to a road - probably had a mobile signal available too.   not exactly Touching the void type terrain.

 

Well said Mole!  And good on SSP on getting the kids out there!

Salmon Shirted Panther wrote (see)

I intend to camp near water again and will be heading out towards South Brent (the exit near Avondale Reservoir).  

Is that Avon Dam, SSP?  It's a lovely spot.  I'm planning to walk up from Shipley Bridge, camp near the reservoir and spend a couople of days fishing this summer (if it ever stops raining that is).

My old man first took me wild camping when I was 7 and that was to the Beacons. We spent 3 nights under canvas. By the time I was 10, me and my mates were wild camping regularly without adult supervision. It was easier then because there was much more rail track around and you could get to remote start and finish points much more easily.
No mobile phones and totally out of contact. I'm so surprised that we all survived given the awful dangers out there.
I guess our parents must have trusted us to behave safely, after all, we had all been shown the ropes by our dads.