Outdoor Discoveries

What originally was a news section for the rest of the website soon became a place for me to write about human-powered wanderings in the countryside. Photography inspires me to get out there, mostly on foot these days, though cycling got me started. Musings on the wider context of outdoor activity complete the picture, so I hope that there is something of interest in all that you find here. Thank you for coming!

Remnants

11th April 2010

This weekend, I fitted in a overnight stay in Capel Curig and a strenuous walk walk over the top of Moel Siabod while en route from Dolwyddelan. Following that ardour, anything done today needed to be less energetic though a hike over boggy ground and through woodland conveyed me to Betws-y-Coed from where I travelled home again. Around the same time last year, I was in the same area and the one difference that stays in my mind is that there remain streaks of snow after the winter that we got. Moel Siabod had them and so had Snowdon, the Glyderau and the Carneddau too. It is small wonder that I had brought the Microspikes with me though I largely avoided any difficulty in the event. Saying that, I did manage to inadvertently scoop up some snow in my right boot (I left off the gaiters and the trousers is only fit for the washing machine now…) with a single ill-taken step.  A spot of bot removal and flicking off of the invaders from my sock was all that was needed as redress.

Last Sunday's outing was very different but the sight of flecks, patches and streaks laying on much lower hills was held in common. Normally, you wouldn't be seeing snowy remnants at this time of year while journeying along the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton but I did this year. In fact, anytime that eyes gazed in the direction of the upper reaches of Edale, there were telltale white patches there too. If my imagination wasn't fooling me, I even think that I might have spotted a white speck on Lose Hill while on the train home. Not being accustomed to these sights, I tend to notice them but more seasoned observer mightn't pay that much heed.

This past weekend has distracted me from promised illustrated scribblings and, if the fine weather stays with us, I may be waylaid be the lure of well lit hill country next weekend too. Of course, we have what weather actually is coming our way first but a look on Metcheck reveals signs to be promising. In the meantime, I'd better be making time for some matters outstanding then. These hints of summer are a big change from what we were having…

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