I've had a loose idea that I'd like to wild camp every month this year. Whilst I've not been entirely successful so far, I have at least been out every month ie garden (Jan, Feb), Burton Dasset (Mar) & Rough Close (Apr). This time I wanted to do it properly and so after perusing a few of my favourite blogs, I settled on 'Backpackingbongos' route to Abergwesyn Common as a basis for a wild camp and walk with my 11 year old son. I know it's the easy way out, having someone else research the route & parking etc, but it sure takes away the stress of researching and organising a trip, as well as introducing me to new areas to explore. So last Sunday my son and I set off for Abergwesyn and after a 2 hour drive from Warwickshire we arrived, via some stunning roads A481 and A44, at the carpark outside the hamlet. With kit on we set off and after 1km bumped into the only people we would see, after a few pleasantries, we continued up the river valley, first on a bridleway and then sheep trod's. There are a couple of fords to cross which proved entertaining and a varied mix of terrain and wildlife was encountered as we progressed up the valley. Red Kites wheeled overhead and lambs and sheep patrolled the valley sides, providing lot's of interest and discussion potential for my son and I. Eventually we approached the head of the valley at the watershed and started the stiff pull up Bryn Glas for a short break, food and a drink. From there we set off across bog and tussocks towards the flanks of Drygarn Fawr, with it's picturesque 'Beehive' cairns. We dropped our packs half way up, before exploring the summit, looking for somewhere to pitch the Trailstar. Due to the Southerly wind we opted for a spot just off the summit on the Northern slopes that was both flat and free of boulders. Having set up home, we had an evening meal before settling in for the night, story followed story before my son eventually drifted off to sleep and I soon followed. It was pretty cold (3~4 deg C) and plenty of condensation formed on the Trailstar and we awoke to a damp foggy hillside, we both turned over and drifted off back to sleep until the sun had burnt off the fog. It was still cold though and neither of us felt like waiting for a brew and porridge, so we packed up chucked some trail mix down before heading off to the second cairn. From here we set course across the watershed aiming by compass for a valley and ridge to take us down to Coed Trallwm and back to the carpark. Although the marshes were shown as further to the east, as everyone knows in Wales you have to take that with a pinch of salt, we headed across some of the worst terrain I've experienced (think Elan valley or Kinder for an idea), with tussocks and sedge grass covering either ankle breaking boulders or knee deep bogs. It was like Russian roulette! having negotiated that we descended from the common and entered the Forest before climbing back out and contouring round the hills back to Abergwesyn. Once back at the car, we dropped our gear, cleaned up in the toilets and then drove back to Warwickshire. A great time out, full of adventure and father son bonding.
Hope you like the pictures!
Hope you like the pictures!