Gone with the Wind (or MIA)

Activation Reports
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Well, I almost bit off more than I could chew today.
For some reason last night, I changed my planned activation of Mynydd Troed and Mynydd Llangorse to Waun Fach.
The reason was primarily based around the forecast of severe icing above 400 metres.
There are two issues with that. The lane up to the Mynydds, from bitter (cold) experience, can be an ice rink.
The actual ascent of Mynydd Troed is very steep and probably needs crampons in these conditions.

For that reason I thought I’d go for a longer walk (8 miles in the end) on the easier more gradual ascent of Waun Fach.
Easier than what I ask myself. It was pretty obvious right from the start that this was going to be no walk in the park. The track up to the Grywne Fawr reservoir was a sheet of ice in places where the thaw from yesterday had frozen solid.
Luckily I was wearing my Yaktrax :tm:.
After a quick rest at the reservoir dam, I started out for the climb to the summit.

This is where I’d underestimated just how much snow there was! I was knee deep most of the time and at one stage entered a hole up to my waist. I had to sit and think about how I was going to get out of it :smile:
It took me an hour from the dam to cover the 1 mile to the plateau at 811 metres. I was so shot that I didn’t have the energy to try and find the summit a few hundred yards away.

As predicted the temperature on top was minus 3ºC and with the strong wind it definitely felt like -10ºC.
And the wind was to have the last laugh…

I donned 2 extra layers, set up and got ready to operate. As I said the wind chill was quite extreme and before I’d even touched the key I decided on getting into the Bothy bag. I got tucked up inside but it was all wrong. I was facing the wrong way and the bag was covering my face. I tried adjusting myself without success, so decided to stand up and readjust the set up. That’s when it happened!

A momentary lapse of concentration whilst getting up, the wind filled the bag like a spinnaker, ripped it out of my hand, and it went careering away towards South West Cymru. I vainly tried to run after it, pencil in mouth, ear phones in ears and thigh deep in snow. A bright yellow flash was last seen rolling and tumbling merrily across the valley towards Mynydd Troed, laughing as it went :cry: Gone with the wind. There was a bit of cursing and swearing at my stupidity, thank god I’d already erected the antenna, because after my marathon attempt at chasing the runaway, when I first turned round I couldn’t see where my kit was!

Anyway I had a quick run on 20 metres, all the time the snow was blowing and filling up every crevice it could find on my kit. When the run on 20m dried up I was pretty cold and decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and it was wise to pack up before the cold could become a critical issue. I’d had enough fun for the day so far. Apologies to anyone waiting for me to appear on 10 and 7. It just wasn’t to be today.

So it was pack up time and just as I was about to leave another hiker appeared. I thought I’d the place to myself but just shows there are other mad people out there too. He of course was wearing snow shoes. Who was it that mentioned them just a day or so ago!

It was much easier descending, although still hard work. It was nice to be back on a solid path once I reached the dam, at least I could tell what was under my feet.

Beautiful day even with the loss of the Bothy.
Hope someone finds it that can make use of it :ok_hand:.

More photos here

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WOW If there’s a Oscar awards for best activation report this certainly would top the nominees.

Sir, that was a cracking report and very much enjoyed and the photos on the other site, wow break taking indeed.

A big thank you for sharing in your adventures. :smile:

Karl

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With it being bright yellow, there’s a strong chance of it being recovered. A similar thing happened to me on a certain summit when my tarp took off like a sail. Since then I’ve always packed a few extra pegs to anchor my tarp down, presuming of course I can get them into the ground. I lost a plastic box lid on one occasion as well, so I am very careful when getting the odds and ends out when it is windy.

Well done on the activation. When I saw the GPS track I thought that looks a steeper route than coming from the corner of the forest, but it certainly provided a shorter distance to wade through the white stuff.

73, Gerald G4OIG

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I’m afraid not. Been there and done it. It wasn’t even on my radar yesterday. The path next to the forest on the lower part falls steeply away in to the river valley. No margin for error if you slip! From 600 -700 metres it is particular steep, it requires hand on ground and mild scrambling under normal conditions. I’ve no idea how I would have faired yesterday.
Yes it was a slog but I think it was the easiest option.

[Edit]
Here’s the profile of the circular route going up by the forest (to Pen Y Gadair Fawr) and returning from Waun Fach via the reservoir. I think you’ll see it’s a tougher climb.

(new bothy bag already ordered and on it’s way)

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Well I got it entirely wrong when I did it. Got on the wrong side of the stream which meant a thrash through the forest followed by a very pleasant ridge walk. Needless to say I was late and as it was the first outing with Paul G4MD my error and the difficulties it created could have scuppered any future outings together…We descended more or less on a straight line between the col and the corner of the forest, but it was still a knee-aching experience.

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ahhh and I thought the path next to the forest looked easier. Done exactly the same route back in December that you did yesterday. The ground was frozen as well but less snow and I was cold too. The timeconsuming part are the many small bushes on the ground. Therefore the best way up GW/SW-002 is from the West :smile:

73 de Dominik, HB9CZF (snowing again in HB9)

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There were no bushes to be seen!
A wet miserable day here so a few spare moments to reflect on yesterday :smile: )

I’m still amazed, that in the wind, the pole stood up all on its own just by sticking it in the snow.

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A quick update on the “Gone with the Wind” bothy bag.
No it hasn’t been returned, but my replacement arrived this morning.
My lost bag was a two person, fluorescent yellow job, with window and velcro vents.
This was a bag from summitgear. (other manufacturers are available)
It was an excellent bag and so I decided to replace with a direct replacement.
When I checked their website I noticed that there was a “basic” bothy available which comes without window and vents.
Now the window in my old bag was a bit of a pain. It served no real purpose, I never sat staring out of it, and unless it was in scorching sunlight the window material was not pliable enough to scrunch up nicely to put back in the sack. In fact, the window probably accounted for about 30% of the bulk of the whole item. Not only that, but it was heavy too. The vents I never used either, they again added extra bulk and weight.
I therefore opted for the “basic” bothy which comes without these “enhancements” and is a whole lot cheaper too :smile:
I therefore ordered one of these in Olive, and at the current super low Sale price too.
http://www.summitgear.co.uk/product/basic-bothy-shelter-2-person-new/

Well I havent tried it out yet but the size and weight difference between old and new is quite significant.
It’s a much neater package and dead simple to get back into the stuff sack.

It has sewn in loops at the top corners for pole and guys and I intend adding a couple of loops to the bottom so I can set it up as a tarp during the warmer months.
I purposely steered away from the bright yellow because it is so obtrusive to the eye. Whilst it may be a benefit in an emergency, my real use for the bag is just to keep the weather out when operating. The olive green should blend in well and I’ll be more likely to use it without feeling ultra conspicuous.

All in all I’m glad, in a way, that I lost the old one, This one looks like a better bag for my intended usage.
I’ve no reason to believe that it won’t be every bit as durable as it’s predecessor…

I am not affiliated with the company or brand mentioned above. The opinions expressed in this post are solely my own.

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