Wales Outdoors

Essential Backpacking Information

Last weekend Wales Outdoors, through our friendship group Adventure Activity South Wales, delivered a very successful backpacking weekend aimed at novices to getting out on the hill with all kit on their backs and sleeping out in wild locations.

It seemed clear that some guidance on kit was needed and so here are some links to suppliers that we use and recommend, to our kit hire service and to the dates for our planned backpacking events running through to January 2019. 

SUPPLIER LINKS: 

These are the websites we use to search for bargains and buy kit - we always check amazon and sometimes ebay for price comparisons just in case something is cheaper elsewhere. It's always worth looking at the weight of the pricier kit on ultralightoutdoorgear and seeing if anything cheaper comes close. Remember, you need to purchase kit that is suitable for the job you need it to do. So, you don't need an Everest ready waterproof or down jacket if you're only going to be camping in three season UK conditions. It's always worth buying the best item for your needs as it will last longer and companies like thermarest give a lifetime guarantee, I've just had my mat replaced after a year and a half use! That company is actually called Cascade Designs and they make other kit under different brands such as MSR stoves and tents. 

https://www.alpkit.com - a great company that will have you really thinking about kit choice

https://rockrun.com - sign up to the newsletter for regular clearance sale email notifications

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk - remember get a further extra 15% off - message us for details [email protected]

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk - top of the range kit for those with the cash

Current GoOutdoors bargains... 

Backpack - £36 - http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-vallo-60plus10-rucksack-p322283

Sleeping bag - http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-helios-ev-hydrodown-300-sleeping-bag-p397795

KIT HIRE:

All future camping trips will be sold at a much lower cost but with all kit available for hire. In this way the more kit you have the cheaper the event will be.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/WalesOutdoors/shop/

FUTURE BACKPACKING TRIPS:

We may add one trip to the programme in the summer but that will be dependent upon instructor availability. 

28-30/9/18 - Snowdonia - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/243810993/

13-14/10/18 - Brecon Beacons - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250882967/

3-4/11/18 - Brecon Beacons - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250883097/

17-18/11/18 - Brecon Beacons - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250883821/

1-2/12/18 - Brecon Beacons - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250883210/

22-23/12/18 - Brecon Beacons - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250883351/

21-28/1/19 - Tenerife - https://www.meetup.com/Adventure-Activity-South-Wales/events/250875480/

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We're Looking For Adventure Writers!

The Wales Outdoors blog posts daily and all of this is maintained and written by Andy Lamb, the Wales Outdoors owner. And we think this is a shame, not because Andy is a poor writer, he's a published poet you know, but because we know there is so much talent out there waiting for a platform to share their work.

 

So, we've decided to open up the Wales Outdoors blog to members of Adventure Activity South Wales and to invite contributions be they adventure stories, poems inspired by being 'out there', travel writing, kit reviews and adventure Activity South Wales event reviews. Really, anything that has a start point in Wales and involves the outdoors or the associated kit that adventurists use. This could be a piece on Tenerife starting at Cardiff Airport or a review of a waterfalls walk led by Andy - you're getting the idea - anything goes really ;)

Submission is simple - email your piece and a photo or two with your full name so that you can be credited and any link to you is you want that to be included to [email protected] and we will get your piece proof read (we won't edit it no matter how short or long it is) and schedule it for publication. 

We might even publish a collection once we have enough pieces - a soft back and kindle friendly actual book!

Go get writing!

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The Sea Was 7 Degrees But We Still Went Coasteering!

On the morning of Sunday 8th April Andy, the Wales Outdoors owner met a group of ten Adventure Activity-ists at Ogmore by Sea for a mornings coasteering, the first of the year. 

After kitting up they made their way from the main car park towards Southerdown, stopping where the sea hits the cliffs and blocks the way. here Andy explained the activity and responding to the sea conditions, a bit unpredictable, decided on a plan of action. 

And the action was jumps and traverses and more jumps, including the BIG ONE, for those that wanted it :) 

Coasteering is Andy's favourite activity but the session on the 8th was not the most flowing coasteering trip Andy had ever delivered. The conditions are not playing ball, at one time flat calm and then, without warning, crazy wild! But the adventurists gave it all that they could and always had big smiles on their faces, despite the odd shiver here and there. 

At the end of the activity Andy invited the group members to come back on any other coasteering session free of charge as despite all having enjoyed the day Andy felt that they hadn't seen the full potential of the venue. 

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Three Cliffs Bay Sea Cliff Climbing

Join the Wales Outdoors rock rat Jo on Sunday 3rd June for a day long sea cliff climbing extravaganza!

This is what it says on the event page where you can RSVP:

'Meet in Southgate, Swansea at 1000hrs. Sea Cliff Climbing on the Gower's Three Cliffs. Focusing on transferable skills from indoor climbing to the outdoors. Safe practice in climbing, belaying and set ups. Please bring lunch, water and appropriate climbing footwear. Cost £30.00 per person.'

JOIN US!

 

Walk The Waterfalls With Andy Lamb

These popular walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park Waterfalls Area and led by the knowledgable owner of Wales Outdoors, Andy Lamb, are a great way to meet other walkers who are likely members of Adventure Activity South Wales and to stretch your legs over the weekend. 

Next weekend will be no different so join us by RSVP-ING HERE!

This is what it says on the event page:

This is a favourite walk for this group and one we fit in every few months since the huge success during October 2017 when we offered this for five days and got 125 people around!

Our route is 10 miles long and it takes all day at a sustained leisurely pace. We have stops for photos and to be awed by the majesty of our surroundings and of course of the waterfalls, two of which we will be able to walk behind!

These walks sell out FAST so do get in early to secure your spot. Walking boots, waterproofs and a good packed lunch are essential :)

What's On In June?

JUNE

2nd Waterfalls Walk

3rd Waterfalls Walk

3rd Sea Cliff Climbing

4th Climbing Club

9th Power Kites And Mountain Boards

10th Waterfalls Walk

11th Climbing Club

16th Roman Road Walk

17th Central Beacons Walk

18th Climbing Club

21st Solstice On Pen Y Fan Walk

23rd Secret Gorge

23rd Sunset Walk Up Pen Y Fan

24th Waterfalls Walk

25th Climbing Club

25th Climbing Club Novices

29th-1st Hot Tub Weekend

30th Multi Activity Beach Day

 

You will find full details on the event pages at Adventure Activity South Wales

What We Did On The Gower - Parents And Kids Residential

Between the 4th and 6th April Andy, the Wales Outdoors owner delivered the first Parents and Kids residential for Adventure Activity South Wales from Hardingsdown Bunkhouse on The Gower. 

DAY 1

After meeting at the wonderful village shop in Llanmadoc the group of ten mothers and kids went for a walk along the Welsh Coastal Path, past a fine bird hide towards the lighthouse at Whiteford Point. The day was mixed but generally warm enough and the shell collecting on Whiteford Beach was epic! Back at the bunkhouse the group settled in and that evening Andy worked through a series of games and challenges to help keep all occupied and with smiles on their faces. 

For a full gallery of pics from this 2 night residential GO HERE!

DAY 2

We awoke to the best weather day of the residential and headed to Llangennith Beach for some Power Kite flying which was a great success. While the group continued the day on the beach with a walk to Bury Head Andy headed back to the bunkhouse and got some cooking underway and set up the archery for the late afternoon. On their return the mothers and kids were treated to some great soup with Falafels and Ebly as the main and some archery training and an archery competition. There could only be one winner and that was Ellie!

DAY 3

Using the 'Pirate Maps' made on the evening of Day 1 he group left the bunkhouse and headed to Rhossili for a treasure hunt, on this occasion the treasure being some geo-caches. The National Trust Warden was out near the lookout station with a range of telescope for members of the public to peer through and we all saw seals with some seeing a porpoise! All this with the dramatic and iconic background of Worms Head in view. 

And that was it - a fine residential with some lovely friendships made :)

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Parents And Kids Adventure Camp 1-3/8/18

Building on the success of the Parents And Kids Waterfalls Walks and the Parents And Kids Gower Residential Wales Outdoors have decided to add another two night residential to the programme, this time camping in the Brecon Beacons.

We will be based at a campsite and will go out for walks and adventures! The adventures will be dependent on weather conditions over the course of the two night residential but could include any from the Wales Outdoors portfolio. This will include some soft activities such as Archery, Kite Flying and Slacklining alongside Bushcraft Skills as well as some more challenging activities such as Gorge Walking.

You can RSVP HERE!

Well behaved dogs are welcome :)

The residential is planned for two nights but it might be possible, based upon demand, to come along for just one night.

The price is inclusive of all activities and the associated kit required for those and also the campsite fees. The price does not include camping kit or food or transport.

We would encourage car sharing to the Brecon Beacons location.

We would encourage, where possible, group catering

Tents and sleeping bags and sleeping mats can be hired from Wales Outdoors.

Sleeping bag hire is £14.50pp
Tent hire is £27.50
Sleeping mat hire is £10pp
Gas stove hire is £12.50

Residential price per person, excluding camping kit, food and transport but including all activities from 10am Wednesday through to 12 noon Friday is a 'bargain basement' rate of £75pp

You've read the feedback from previous Parents And Kids events with Adventure Activity South Wales - now is the time to have a fine time adventuring in the Brecon Beacons yourself :)

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Night Walking The Gap And 6th Century Chapel

The Wales Outdoors friendship group Adventure Activity South Wales had planned a walk for St David's Day evening, a walk over 'The Gap' and to locate the remains of a 6th Century Chapel. The weather wasn't playing ball, it was The Beast From The East, and so this walk was postponed until Tuesday April 3rd. 

Andy met the group members in Quakers Yard and they followed him to the start pont just below The Gap, a giants bite from a ridge that can be seen when passing Abercynon on the A470. 

The group walked up over The Gap and along the ridge slowly gaining height until high above Merthyr Vale to the east and Mountain Ash to the west they gained the ridge once again. 

It was time for snacks and chats before a look at the map and some navigation to the chapel. This was found despite it now being dark and there not being much there, just some disturbed ground really. 

The walk off over some gorgeous grassland and a steep descent through rocks and boulders was fun. Andy got his Sky Map app up on his phone and some stars and planets were observed, Venus being the most prominent.

What would you rather be doing on a Tuesday evening?

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Adventure Activity Residential In South Wales 29/6-1/7/2018

This is a bit special and we are calling it a busman's holiday as it's walking and adventures in the South Wales Valleys. But more! It's a residential organised and delivered by Andy Lamb in an amazing cottage and guess what - it has a hot tub!

Promoted through the Wales Outdoors friendship group Adventure Activity South Wales, this is sure to be a hit so get in there early and secure your place - we can only take eight people! 

You can RSVP HERE and this is the info you'll find on the event page:

A partner of ours has a fine property in the Cynon Valley, ideally situated for activities such as caving, climbing, gorge walking, mountain walking, waterfall walking and host of other adventures. I have reserved the cottage for this weekend and need early uptake to secure the dates. This is important as without uptake we'll loose the booking. The property is quirky, decorated to a very high standard, has lots of parking and bike storage and is set up for socialising with a fine outdoor bbq area and a HOT TUB! which runs at 40 degrees :) The cottage also boasts a wood burning stove, a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge area, showers and twin rooms that are very homely.

This weekend is a fully inclusive adventure activity break although excluding food (we'll bring a few things and cater together). Activities have not been decided and will likely be discussed with those booking onto the residential. I will then add the activities to meetup and invite a further six people to join us as day trippers :)

I know this is a bit of a busman's holiday, being a residential in South Wales, but it will be fun and social and dynamic, taking in the best that the area has to offer. I will offer a lift from Cardiff if needed and the timings work or collect from a railway station nearby.

Price is £145