Ready for the Rhinogydd...

The Rhinogydd range of Snowdonia National Park.

So I will be heading to Snowdonia for the first time next weekend, and straying from the comfort of the familiar Peak District for the first time also. I'm very much looking forward to getting out of my comfort zone, especially in what looks to be a stunning area...

So, I'd still never been to Kinder Downfall...

My day started at the bottom of Grindsbrook Clough.

So again, I've been busy recently. It's meant that I haven't really had the opportunity to acheive much in the way of walks, and certainly not wild camps. It's disappointing, but it makes my outings all the more savourable. These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago now, but such has been the intensity of my work timetable, that I am only now getting some free time to throw them up in this rather hurried entry...

First impressions of my new pack - Osprey Mutant 38L

Not bad for a freebie, eh?

So, Ive been thinking about subscribing to an 'outdoor' magazine for a while. Mainly so that I have something to read when I go wild camping. In recent months, most have been offering free gifts to try persuade people to go for their magazine in particular. A Jetboil 'Zip' and a Paramo 'Fuera' smock were offered quite recently, but I already have a cooking set up that I am happy with and a windproof smock that suits me to the ground. I noticed the other day, that 'The Great Outdoors' magazine had begun to offer a free Osprey pack - and I knew that it'd be worth a punt...

Matlock to Matlock Bath - 02/03/13

Looking up the River Derwent towards High Tor.

So, today; Sophia and I decided to take the train to Matlock to have a nice walk together. I enjoyed it a lot, as its not often that we both go walking together. We ended up taking route through Matlock Dale, back to Matlock Bath. It was a lovely White Peak walk, in an area that I have been to before, albeit not with my walking head [or walking gear] on. It was a nice day weather-wise. A little cold when the wind picked up, but when the sun appeared it became pleasant until it retreated behind the clouds again.

Return to the Kinder Plateau...

Looking back on the way up to Crookstone Hill.

I had planned on going for a wild camp on this, Monday 18th March; but plans changed and I reverted to a days walking instead. Complete with my full 65ltr rucksack that was packed for camping. Despite narrowing my outing to just the one day instead of two, I still retained the plan of getting back to the Kinder Plateau and seeking out the trig point to the east of Edale Moor. The path to which is notoriously difficult to see and follow exactly, especially when coupled with the type of weather that I had to accompany me...

A rather bleak bimble on Bleaklow...Well, almost.

Towards a mist shrouded Bleaklow, over Hope Woodlands Moor.

So; an impromptu, spur of the moment walk isn't always the best idea. Maybe that's a little harsh. We did have a good day after all, and the views were great. We had arranged to go for the walk on Friday at the beginning of the week, but a cold for Matt and bad back for Phil meant that we decided to call it off on Thursday evening. Despite my disappointment, Phil got in touch on Friday morning; eager to get out...

It's all gone quiet.....but not for long.

My Vango Tempest 200, which I use for wild camping. Excellent tent.

It's all gone a bit quiet for me at the minute. Work and other commitments have meant that my friends and I haven't been able to get out for a walk in the last couple of weeks. Wild camping has been put on hold while I sort myself out with a new sleeping bag too, but...