It's been a bit tough to get out the last 3 months or so. The wife's mother was in a hospice during December and sadly passed away early January. After a 4 week wait for the funeral it still felt wrong to go bikepacking. So after binding my time I finally managed to get out at the weekend and it was an easy choice to go to my 'happy place' in Eryri. I had plenty of firewood and coal that I'd stashed there as early as last August and it was good to fire it up. I heated up a home made shepards pie over the fire, toasted some Welsh cakes and had a few beers. I was treated to a clear starry night and a glow on Crag yr Ysaf during sunrise

That's beautiful Jeff, bet that felt good to be out there again...

Toasted welshcakes, now that's something I've got to try....

I've been thinking of your adopted second home.... I found an open brick shelter or something-building, something to do with the (now drained) reservoir ... it would make a cracking spot to bivvy in in bad weather, or it has a lovely slab of concrete as a roof, as a sleeping platform in good weather.... the only thing is the inside "floor" is a boggy mess... so I was thinking if I took a leaf out of Jeff's book, and just took a couple of timbers up there every time I go for a walk, or bivvy, I could bit by bit make something like a suspended wooden floor to sleep on .... it's a thought!

Thanks V. It was rather pleasant, I know bikepacking in March shouldn't be but why suffer?
Defo give it some work, its a shame to see old structures not being used

Verena, I'd be inclined to dig out the boggy mud and divert any water around the building not through it. Even building a floor over wet ground will be cold and damp...

And really enjoyed the write up Jeff. Looks like you had a well needed trip out.

beautiful pictures there @summittoppler -- the 'larder' in particular is very impressive -- sorry to hear about your bereavement, I am sure the solitude and peace of the mountains helps us in these situations.

all the best,

Keith

slarge wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:19 am Verena, I'd be inclined to dig out the boggy mud and divert any water around the building not through it. Even building a floor over wet ground will be cold and damp...

Ah, good thinking! Worth taking a shovel up there and giving that a go. Cheers

Verena wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:32 pm

slarge wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:19 am Verena, I'd be inclined to dig out the boggy mud and divert any water around the building not through it. Even building a floor over wet ground will be cold and damp...

Ah, good thinking! Worth taking a shovel up there and giving that a go. Cheers

Went for a walk at the weekend and took another look at my would be project. It is a lovely spot.

IMG_20250421_113023 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

IMG_20250421_113122 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

(nothing to do with St Davids day, sorry Jeff!)