Calling all volunteers

The Snowdonia Society have the following volunteering opportunities for anyone who'd like to burn off some Christmas related pounds with some good honest hard work and fresh air. If you would like to volunteer, then please contact Jenny Whitmore, Conservation Snowdonia Project Officer on 01286 685498 or e-mail jenny@snowdonia-society.org.uk or Conservation Snowdonia Project Manager Mary-Kate Jones bea@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Or write to: Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Gwynedd LL55 3NR

Wednesday 15th January - rhododendron bashing Bryn Gwynant

Work off that festive food with a good day's work at Bryn Gwynant youth Hostel. Set in the stunning Nant Gwynant valley, we will continue to clear the invasive shrub Rhododendron Ponticum from this site. Cut shrubs will be burned on site, so we will plan to get a good fire going and have hot potatoes for lunch!

Thursday 23rd January Footpath maintenance workday - Site weather dependant

Always wanting to give you an opportunity to get stuck in and get your hands dirty doing something really useful in Snowdonia, we will be continuing our programme of footpath maintenance work on and around Snowdon itself. If the weather permits, we will work on the Pyg or Miners Track on Snowdon, and if conditions steer us to lower level paths, we shall head to the Crafnant Path, Capel Curig or Lon Gwyrfai, Rhyd ddu. All of these paths are in need of attention as drains become blocked and ditches overgrown, so if you are in need of a good green work out then this is the workday for you!

Sunday 26th January Tree planting, hurdle making and winter tree ID course - Ty Hyll

We have a selection of native trees to plant around the woodland at Ty Hyll which will provide under storey cover and berries for birds, flowers for bees and fruits for all! We will have a hurdle making demonstration from Mike Bithel who is an expert in green woodworking and you can have a go yourself at this ancient art. We will also take a wander around the woodland to appreciate the variety of trees found here and you will find out how to identify the different species without the help of the leaves!

Mindfulness Walking on Anglesey

Over the Christmas period, you may have missed this article in the Sunday Telegraph on December the 29th, which describes a mindfulness walk in Anglesey which claims to allow its followers to drop to a slower gear and give them time to appreciate the outdoors. Wilderness Minds is a small Bangor based outfit which hosts these "Mindful Walks" as a way of encouraging people to savour nature to the maximum. 

This is "mindfulness immersion" the founder, Sholto Radford, explains. "Mindfulness gives people a tool to immerse themselves in the environment without constant chatter and distraction." This can take the form of wild camping weekends in remote parts of Snowdonia National Park, or one of a series of walks on Anglesey. The article described how the walking is done in complete silence to avoid the distraction of conversation, followed by regrouping to share experiences and focusing on sensory awareness - a beach comber version of "show and tell".

Phone Wilderness Minds on 01248521621 for more information, or email info@wildernessminds.co.uk

How was it for you?

The worst of the storms have now passed (we hope), though the problem of flooding remains. In Aberdaron we had a real buffeting. As you can see from the photos below, the spray reached higher than the roof of a three story building! 

There has been a lot of shingle thrown over the promenade and church, and much of the seating on the front has been smashed to bits. However the sea walls have all held. If readers have pictures of weather events elsewhere in North Wales then we would be glad to receive them by email to walkingnorthwales@gmail.com.

So, what do you think of it so far?

You now have a chance to have your say on aspects of the Wales Coast Path project. Our old friend Jim Embrey is responsible for creating a questionnaire on what users of the WCP think about the information available on the website - www.walescoastpath.gov.uk, and how this relates to mapping and social media. Speak now or forever hold your peace!

The deadline for completing the survey is midnight Friday 17th January 2014.

You can find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P3WNNQD.

Burn off some Winter calories with the Snowdonia Society

If you're still having trouble shifting the inevitable consequences of all those mince pies and glasses of sherry, you might like to blow away some cobwebs by accompanying the Snowdonia Society on one of their winter walks.

January

Saturday 25th - Precipice Walk
An easy but spectacular walk, with an opportunity to consider developments such as roads and forestry that have influenced the character of the landscape. With Gareth Roberts. In partnership with CPRW. (Bilingual leader)

February

Saturday 22nd - ‘Some miraculous promised land’, Arenig.
A challenging day-long walk considering the work of artists such as Augustus John and the landscapes that inspired them. With Gareth Roberts. (Bilingual leader)

March

Sunday 30th - Geology walk
Exploring the volcanic geology in the Gelli Iago/Llyn LLagi area of Nant Gwynant. Clive Hudson will explain geological highlights and the fossils to be found there. Short day walk.

For full event details or to book a place contact the Snowdonia Society office (Monday - Thursday) on 01286 685498 or info@snowdonia-society.org.uk. There is a suggested donation of £3 for members and £5 for non-members for attendance on all events unless otherwise specified.

Never be embarrassed again when asked if you put the fork on the right side of the geocache or the left. Become a geocaching etiquette champion after watching this quick, fun Geocaching Etiquette video. You’ll develop good trading habits, learn all about trackables, see what to do around muggles and more. Watching the video is a great way to add a new confidence and joy to your geocaching adventure in just two minutes.

Heart of Adventure - Chiming with the Times

A new trend has been identified. There is a shift away from culture and museum visits and towards adventure breaks. Outdoor activity providers have seen a 20% rise in number of group bookings for adventure activities in 2013. There has been a definite rise in adrenaline-packed adventures, heralding a movement that suggests ‘adventure is the new culture’.

A survey by Outdoor North Wales, which runs its Heart of Adventure campaign alongside adventure specialists in North Wales, has revealed that weekend city breaks and museum visits are in relative decline, with more city workers wanting to do something memorable and exciting.

The research, compiled using sales data from ten premier outdoor and indoor destinations in North Wales, found that group bookings have risen by more than 20% in 2013, with this figure expected to increase further in 2014.

It seems the rise of adventure TV has inspired British people to spurn city art galleries and pre-theatre dining experiences in search of exciting adventures in the outdoors. Inspired by the likes of Ray Mears and Bear Grylls, the ‘adventured’ have swapped high heels and black ties for hiking boots and waterproofs to ensure they have that all-important envious Monday morning story to tell. 

North Wales has a huge selection of activities such as 4x4 off-roading, zip wiring, gorge-walking, white water rafting and adventure boat rides and they have all proved extremely popular this year as well as wakeboarding, wild swimming and mountain biking. 

With the value of the worldwide adventure travel market now at $263bn, local businesses in North Wales are witnessing more demand for fun packed group weekends. 

According to Outdoor North Wales, the Top 10 Adrenaline activities in North Wales are:

1. National White Water Centre

Just off the main A5, the National White Water Centre is a truly wild mountain river in the heart of Snowdonia, offering an exhilarating white water rafting ride and canoeing. The centre has hosted several canoeing world championships and remains the nation's favourite white water destination.


2. Motor Safari

Acting as north Wales’ gateway to adventure, Motor Safari provides adrenaline pumping off-road adventure and 4x4 vehicle action. Seren Country Park is set in an old quarry with stunning views as it’s set in the highest village in North Wales and offers multi terrain driving for a unique 4x4 adventure.


3. Zipworld

Opened in 2013, Zipworld boasts the northern hemisphere’s longest zip-wire. The attraction is located in what was the largest slate quarry in the world in the village of Bethesda and offers an exhilarating mile-long ride like no other.


4. Coed Llandegla Forest

One of the best mountain biking centres in the UK, Llandegla offers four different tracks for riders of all abilities. On site too is a cafe serving delicious local food, steaming mugs of tea and coffee and a bike repair centre and shop.


5. Anglesey Circuit

Set in a truly stunning coastal location on the west coast of Anglesey overlooking the Irish Sea, Anglesey Circuit provides visitors with a challenging and exciting top quality circuit for all kinds of cars and bikes built for speed.


6. Rib Ride

Anglesey Adventure RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tours will take you on a blast around the Menai Strait at more than 99 mph. Whether it's the adrenalin rush of high speed turns or the encounters with wildlife, visitors are sure to leave the boats with a smile on their face.


7. Tree Top Adventure

Tree Top adventure is a unique, fully equipped high ropes centre and arguably the UK’s No.1 course. It hosts Europe’s tallest parachute jump simulator, the Powerfan Plummet, and giant swing, SkyRide.


8. North Wales Active

North Wales Active is an experienced, independent outdoor activity provider based in Snowdonia, specialising in gorge walking, mountaineering, climbing, kayaking and coasteering tours across the region.


9. Surf Lines

Based in Llanberis Snowdonia, Surf Lines offers an exciting range of adventure days and weekends, with activities such as kayaking and rock climbing. Situated close by to Padarn Country Park, there’s plenty of scope for adventurous types, with over five miles of lakeshore to explore. The sessions offer an exciting, safe and enjoyable introduction to the sport.


10. Beacon Climbing

Opened in July 2012, the new Beacon Climbing Centre located on the Cibyn Estate in Caernarfon is a premium all weather venue, open 7 days a week with exciting activities suitable for large groups. The centre offers the best indoor climbing facilities in North Wales including roped climbing walls up to 17m high.