First Wild Camp

We'll see if I can fit any wash stuff in when I do my final pack tonight, I'm not holding my breath though (my mate will have to though, boom boom).

Incidentally, if anyone is in Capel Curig on Saturday night, we'll be the ones in the Tyn-y-Coed playing cards, eating Gammon and chips and far too many pickled eggs later on.  Come and say hello (we will have washed by then )

Hey, I made it in one piece.  A fantastic trip and I'm so glad I spent the time looking itno what not to take and speaking to you guys.

Firstly our timing was great, leaving work in time to get to our camp spot 'Menlyllyn Reservoir' just as it was starting to get darker.  However, the clouds came in and we didn't see the water until last minute, which was amusing.

We had a really good nights sleep and awoke to see that we still coudln't see the water, due to cloud/mist, however it quickly cleared.  We moved pretty quickly in the morning to get to the Foel Grach shelter and had a brew and breakfast.  Then we headed over toward Carnedd Daffydd, via Carnedd Llewelyn.  We then went back on ourselves and headed down to Ffynnon Llugwy.  This was probably a bad choice because we then had to climb a very steep saddle and then head back down the other side, which was incredibly steep.  Tired legs made it tough.

Anyway, what did I learn.  We made a list of what we need for next time, I say list, there really wasn't much.  I'm definitely going to take something better to sit on next time, I think a survival bag would be ideal, and maybe fashion something so I can use my bag as a back support (any suggestions).  It was frustrating not being able to sit down and stretch my legs much at all.  Also, a pencil and paper would be added to the list, so that I can write any little things down that need to be remembered. 

Another thought was something in the kitchen/cooking department.  How do people measure out quantites of boiling water, we managed fine, I figured out how much was in my flask and guestimated.  However, does anyone have any neat little tricks?

What I shouldn't have taken.  The said mentioned flask, a plastic mug would have been fine.  My mate took his knife, despite me saying not to bother, he never used it.  Other than that everything got used, apart from the first aid kit.  I will double check this later but I'm certain everything got used at least once.

Also, Rum was a good choice, it really warmed us up in the evening.

To sit on; not sure if compatible with Alpkit mats?

Liquid measures; I use the exacting method of half a 1 litre plat is about....half a litre....

..with rum I believe measurement has something to do with a dead man's chest...

I did have an idea, marking a spork with lines every 100ml, the lines would obviously only work with one pan, but how many pans do I need?!?

Oh also, I got some Knorr thick country vegetable soup from Home Bargain.  39p and serves 4.  However, add half the amount of water and it serves 2 and is even thicker.  It certainly helped get up the final climb.

FOF, really glad you had a good time. Great area, isn't it? 

I use a sitmat - and lean against a rock/pack.  The folding sitmats (Millets etc) are good as you can stuff them into corners/side pockets etc. Mine I fold in two to put under my head as part of my pillow - and you can fold them dirty side inwards, too.

Re measures, most things I use need about 3/4 pint of water and that's the ideal size mug for me (oatcakes fit perfectly inside).  Or you can carefully make a mark with a rounded punch on your billy for whatever you may need.  Otherwise, guess, and add water as you go.

Keep doing it!

Rob,  It sure is a stunning area, we loved the fact that we were two hours out of work and in the middle of no where.  It's nice being somewhere that feels totally out of it, only Scotland has compared to it in my experience so far.

I'm tempted with a sit mat, a friend has one, may give it a try next time, that or a thermarest chair kit. 

We're planning our next trip now and going to aim for two days.  Although the arrival of my new mountain bike may change the plan a little.

We were planning on staying two nights in wales on this trip, however upon arriving at Capel Curig to stay at the Bryn Tych Bunkhouse, the farmer was pissed out of his tree.  He wasn't in when we first went, so we went to pinnacle cafe, the guy there said he will be home soon.  So we returned to the farm to find the door open and a set of false teeth on the side.  We rang the bell, nothing, rang again, nothing, then we heard a noise just behind the door.  So we knocked on the door and said 'hello'.  'Who is it?  Whaddya want?'  grumbled the farmer, 'We'd like a bunkhouse for the night...'  I shouted.  'No, go away!!' yelled the farmer.  Could not believe it, we stood there for a bit longer and knocked again but had no answer.  Has anyone else had this kind of response at a bunkhouse/camp site?  Fortunately we had our car, but did think, what if we'd had trekked here with no tent and had planned to stay at the bunkhouse overnight before going on elsewhere?  It was however, very funny.

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

For measuring out liquid I have just painted graduations on the outside of my plastic mug for the measures I need. Looks a bit odd but it works for me.

Backrest?

One or 2 poles wedged behind your rucsack

Some water bottles have volume graduations on the side (Trekmates is one)