The one with the rocks, boulders, and BIG stones!
📍 Location – Wales, a land steeped in history, with dramatic landscapes and rugged beauty at every turn!
🥾 Miles – 6 intense, rock-hopping miles that tested our endurance and agility.
🏔️ Elevation gain – 1000m of steep climbs, navigating over rough terrain that left us breathless in more ways than one!
⛑️ Health – All good, minus a sinus attack (which wasn’t much fun), but my feet and muscles are holding up well, so I can’t complain!
🌦️ Weather – We spent much of the day hiking in the clouds ☁️, which gave the peaks an eerie yet magical feel. Every now and then, the mist would part, and glorious bursts of sunshine lit up the landscape around us. Moments like that remind you why these challenges are worth it.
🍽️ Food – Dinner tonight was an absolute treat: homemade burger with all the trimmings, crispy chips, and a fresh salad on the side. And for dessert, crumble and custard—pure comfort after a long, hard day!
HIGHLIGHTS
Today was both challenging and utterly rewarding! We took on the Glyderau range, one of Wales’s highest and most rugged, and a cornerstone of Snowdonia’s stunning, ancient landscape. This area, carved out by glaciers millions of years ago, has a raw and untamed beauty that demands respect. Its jagged rock formations and sweeping views are a sight, even when shrouded in mist.
My absolute favourite part of the day had to be the exhilarating bouldering session near the summit of the Glyders. Picture a vast rocky plateau, where massive, otherworldly rock formations emerge from the earth as if from a prehistoric age. Clambering over boulders and scree, we had to keep our wits about us as we dodged crevasses and sharp drops. It felt like walking on another planet. The scrambles were tough, but reaching the top was incredibly satisfying. 😅
A real highlight was standing in awe of the famous Cantilever Stone, a massive flat rock that juts out over the landscape below, seemingly defying gravity. It’s an iconic spot, and getting up close to this geological wonder felt like a small triumph in itself. See the photos! 😲
After conquering the boulders, we wound our way down through wide, open fields, trying—and often failing—to avoid swarms of pesky midges. Dodging them became a game of its own, adding a bit of humour to the day. 😂
While we tackled the high peaks, some of the group opted for a more relaxed 6-mile hike through the lowlands, exploring the old slate quarries and waterfalls. They even had a chance to visit the **National Slate Museum**, learning about the once-thriving Welsh slate industry that shaped so much of the local history and economy in the 19th century. It’s fascinating to think of the people who once worked these lands, carving out not just stone but a way of life that remains ingrained in the communities today.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to let go of the idea of tackling Crib Goch tomorrow due to poor weather conditions. 😢 It’s a disappointment, but safety comes first. Still, we’ll make the most of our final day in these breathtaking mountains, no matter what the weather throws at us!
#Adventure #Wales #Glyders #Snowdonia #WelshPeaks #NatureLovers #MountainMagic #ExploreMore