Wales Outdoors

On Our Last Visit For 2018 To Andy's Secret Gorge...

This was the final trip to The Secret Gorge in 2018 - we'll be going back a few times next year so look out for the listings on the events page from May 2019.

This is just about the most fun you can have in a river. It's a float, a wild swim and a little bit of gorge scrambling thrown in. The conditions were good and the river, although higher than at our previous visit, was manageable and offered an experience that was exhilarating and within the comfort zones of the adventure-ists :)

You can see all of the images HERE!

We entered the water after Huw comically, 'Vicar of Dibley' style, fell into a hole. Then we floated and scrambled and were pushed through holes and taken by the flow over small falls.

Towards the end of the gorge section we jumped and generally splashed about. Unfortunately one participant popped his shoulder and needed to be evacuated. This is unusual and for him is a recurring issue. All's good with him now and he's on the road to recovery after having a good deal of morphine prior to it being popped back.

Anyways, do Join Us! Next year...

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We Went Foraging!

On Saturday 18th August Graham led a group of walkers from Adventure Activity South Wales on a foraging and waterfall walk. 

With the hedgerows burgeoning with berries and with Graham's expert bushcraft knowledge the group made their way towards Henryd Waterfall, the highest in the Brecon Beacons National Park, gathering FREE food along the way. 

You can see the full gallery HERE!

Graham is a walking leader for the group and a member of the local Mountain Rescue team. Knowledgeable and approachable, Graham is a safe pair of hands to get out walking in the West with. 

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Whats On In October?

OCTOBER

1st Climbing Club

4-7th Three Peaks Challenge

7th Waterfalls Walk

7th Snowdon

8th Climbing Club

13th Eight Waterfalls Walk

15th Climbing Club

22nd Climbing Club

27th Mountain Navigation Course

27th Sunset on Pen y Fan

28th Waterfalls Walk

29th Climbing Club

29th Climbing Novices Course 

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

Walk The Nant Francon Ridge - Snowdonia

Andy will be in Snowdonia leading an expedition into the Carneddau and on the evening of the 30th will be wild camping near Bethesda. He will, on the 3oth September 2018, be walking the Nant Francon Ridge from Bethesda through to the top of The Devils Kitchen where another wild camp is planned. 

Do join him by RSVP-ING HERE! and his small group of adventurers for a day leg of this expedition and when arriving at the Devils Kitchen you will be able to easily make your way to Idwal Cottage then follow the track back to the start point. 

If the weather is unfavourable then we will likely walk the full length of the Ogwen Valley back to Capel Curig the expeditions start point and we can offer you a lift back to this days start point and your car :) 

This is real mountain terrain although with no exposed ridges or scrambling but you need walking boots, waterproofs and a good packed lunch :)

A Sunny Afternoon Of Kite Boarding

It was a super sunny day with not a lot of breeze but these kite stars managed to get the three metre kites into the air and some even managed to get moving on the mountain boards.

We have a good selection of kites and run introductory power kite and mountain board sessions, usually at Ogmore by Sea but sometimes near Brecon too.

You can view the full gallery HERE!

We also sell new kites in the fb shop, kites that we have been using for group use for over ten years now and we highly recommend them on price and longevity.

Look out for our next power kite and mountain board session.

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Snowdonia Wild Camping Expedition Weekend 28th-30th September 2018

The Wales Outdoors owner and facilitator of Adventure Activity South Wales will be running a trip to Snowdonia 28th-30th September - you can join him by RSVP-ING HERE!

A Cardiff to Cardiff guided trip to the best of wild camping in Snowdonia suitable for those who are weathered mountaineers and also for those dipping their toes into backpacking and wild camping.

Andy will be leaving Friday morning and driving up to Capel Curig for a four day expedition for up to five people. We can supply any kit that you might need or provide you with pointers for best choice if going on a spending spree and buying some new gear. This is the plan

Friday - Drive and Easy walk to Dulyn Bothy and a camp inside.
Saturday - Walk over The Carneddau to Bethesda. Wild camp at Andy's secret and favourite wild Snowdonia campsite
Sunday - Walk the Nant Ffrancon Ridge to the foot of The Glyders, drop down into the Ogwen Valley and follow the trail back to the car and drive back to Cardiff.  

There are good foul weather alternative routes for this expedition. All kit and food will be carried by the group. Advice on what to take will be given. Andy will be teaching those who wish to receive instruction mountain navigation skills, camp craft, camp cooking and will be telling tall tales throughout. The cost is 135 pounds per person and this covers any kit required, all instruction, transport and an absolutely guaranteed amazing time!

A fifty pound deposit will be taken to secure your place.

Monday Climbing Club - Novice Training

Come along for an introduction to Boulders and some basic climbing training next Monday, the 24th September. On average it takes two sessions to gain proficiency with knots, harnesses and belaying technique and then you can take the Boulders exam and sign yourself in and join the 'experienced' climbers.

We charge an up front £20 fee and work with two learners once a month over two evenings. You will still need to pay for shoe hire and your Boulders entry fee. The first session has a date and we will negotiate with you and the other learner on that first evening to plan in a second before the month is up, usually the next week or a fortnight after. Go get climbing!

You can RSVP HERE!

This session will be delivered by Andy, the owner of Wales Outdoors and fascilitator of Adventure Activity South Wales.

Get Planning - We're Walking The Beacons Way Long Distance Trail!

These are two of eight walks being delivered over four weekends with the opportunity to wild camp with Andy, the Wales Outdoors owner, that will see us walk all of The Beacons Way and arrive in Bethlehem just a day before Christmas Eve :) The Beacons Way was developed by a walking friend of Andy's in the mid 2000's.

You can RSVP for all or any of the day long walks by clicking on each walks link below...

'The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 159km (99 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience. Some days are more challenging than others so you can choose what suits you and maybe set yourself a challenge to build up to the more strenuous days.

The Beacons Way was first established in 2005 by John Sansom. He was a keen walker and a key member of the Brecon Beacons Park Society. Since its inception numerous walkers have enjoyed the route, taking in the breath-taking vistas that it offers. The route of the Beacons Way is designed to present this beautiful part of Wales in the very best possible light. It is an area of high hills, deep valleys and expansive moorland.'

13th and 14th October
Day 1 - Holy Mountain to Llanthony
Day 2 - Llanthony to Crickhowell

3rd and 4th November
Day 3 - Crickhowell to Llangynidr
Day 4 - Llangynidr to Storey Arms

1st and 2nd December
Day 5 - Storey Arms to Craig-y-Nos
Day 6 - Craig-y-Nos to Llanddeusant

22nd and 23rd December
Day 7 - Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen Castle
Day 8 - Carreg Cennen Castle to Bethlehem

Andy will be walking this expedition style and so will be carrying his ultralight backpacking kit and camping out on the Saturday evening of each of these weekends.

You can join each walk for the usual £10pppd. Overnighting with Andy is free if you have your own kit or simply the hire cost for quality backpacking kit from Wales Outdoors which is set at a reasonable rate - we have everything you will need for wild country camping and Andy will be on hand to upskill you in its use.

Walk The Black Mountains And Llyn y Fan Fach And Fawr

Andy the Wales Outdoors owner will be leading a fine group of walkers, all members of Adventure Activity South Wales on a long walk in the West of the Brecon Beacons National Park - You can JOIN THEM by RSVP-ING HERE!

This is what Andy has to say about the day:

This is a classic walk that this group has covered for several years now. And 2018 is no exception. And why? Well, because it's a classic! And why? Well, the wilderness and remote magical lakes, the steep escarpments and the long ridge walks high up above the surrounding countryside.

This walk is regarded as strenuous but if you can get your head down in the morning the walk back to the start point in the afternoon is a breeze :) So a half day of strenuous walking and a second half of mountain terrain but mostly downhill... And we're going to say between 10 and 12 miles, or thereabouts... 

You will need clothing appropriate for the mountain environment and that does mean walking boots and waterproofs as well as a packed lunch and a flask of something warm is good too. There is a pub at the start point and so we'll likely head in there once the walking is done for tall tales and hot chocolates :)

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Foraging And Henryd Falls Walk Next Saturday

Wales Outdoors will be revisiting the very successful Foraging and Henryd Falls walk again on Saturday 8th September  - go out, make some friends, walk behind the highest waterfall in the Brecon Beacons and collect up some FREE food :)

You can RSVP HERE!

This is what it says on the event page:

'Meet Abercraf Inn, SA9 1XB, at 10am.

This will be a leisurely 4 to 5 hour walk looking for edible medical and interesting plants on root to visiting Henrhyd Falls the highest in the Brecon Beacons.

This walk will be led by Graham, an active member of the local mountain rescue team and well known to the group for delivering fine walks in the West of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Feedback from this walk delivered on 18th August...

Thank you for an interesting day Graham and great walk

Thank-you everyone for your company today really lovely group

Thank you very much, Graham!

Had a brilliant time, thank you Graham and everyone that attended 😁😁

Lovely meeting you all. Such an interesting walk Graham 🙂

Waterproofs, walking boots and a packed lunch are all essential :)'

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