I felt I needed to open up some more opportunities for walking in other areas of the country and meet more like minded folk. Andy wasn't able to walk as often as I liked, he was also suffering a back injury, so It was time to branch out.
The route planned was from Aber Falls and covered 7 peaks over 14 miles, climbing from 65m up to 1064m.
Being December, there was quite a bit of snowfall on the higher ground.
The invite was unexpected and all a bit last minute, so I stupidly didn't check the map and the route. although I did have map and compass, I just sat back ready to follow, a mistake I have never made since.
I was nervous meeting these guys. I'd never walked in a group before, I had no real mountain experience unless you count a hand full, no I didn't think so.
First impressions as we all gathered around to say hello?.......an uncomfortable quietness.
Maybe it was the gear I was wearing, cheap by their standards, but hey, it's all I could afford, but maybe they thought I wasn't a seasoned walker, I'm not sure if I was.
It's a pleasant walk from the car park to the falls, first through woodland, then over scree which becomes quite steep as you get closer to the waterfall.
These guys set out at quite a pace, and I found it a little too fast and quickly found myself at the back of the group along with a guy slightly older than myself.
Just after the scree there is an extremely tricky wet section of rock, right above the falls. A slip here could be fatal, but climbing up wasn't too bad.
I remember one of the lads saying he wouldn't like to return this way, as we scrambled across the wet rock.
The pace continued as we followed the Afon Goch between Llwytmor and Bera Mawr.
Problem we had was crossing the stream, which was in full spate. so we continued along the path by the stream hoping for a safe crossing point.
The leading lads would stop and wait further along the path for us, but then would carry on as soon as we almost reached them, so my time to rest and get the heart rate down just saw the gap open up again.
All was going well and I was coping until the time came to cross the stream.
We needed to jump, and I mean jump, full stretch.there really wasn't a narrow section as an option and our route to Bera Mawr was getting steeper while continuing along the path by the Afon Goch.
This was our best option, and probably the safest without walking to the head of the stream, which would have added more miles to the route.
On landing on the far side of the stream, both my calf muscles went into spasm!!!
It was relief when the group decided to stop for a drink and a bite to eat.
I sat massaging my legs, drinking water and trying to down all the sugar foods I could find, hoping the cramp was temporary.
The break was short, rucksacks packed like commando's going into battle. then they were gone.
I found the majority of the six guys were cool, not unfriendly but not very welcoming.
it was my first forum meet, and I wanted to give it a good try.
I pushed on up the mountain, trying not to embarrass myself, and managed to reach the first summit still experiencing sporadic cramp on the steep terrain.
By the time I reached the summit, the other guys had moved on, so no chance of a chat to discuss my problem.
Walking to the next peak was a lot easier, almost flat, but both calf muscles would go into this painful spasm while stepping over small boulders. To be fair, the senior chap in the group stayed with me, trying to give me some encouragement.
I was pretty slow by now, the cramp was a real problem, I was really struggling, and by the time I finally arrived at Bera Bach 807m, it was clear as I reached the summit I couldn't continue.
These guys were stood waiting for me, they had a long way to walk if they were to complete the route, and limited daylight meant a short day.
plus above the snow line it was full winter conditions so the going would be hard. I was clearly holding them up.
A descent in low cloud would be tricky along the unfamiliar Afon Goch with many concealed drops to catch the unwary out, as the path is a poor one higher up.
However, today the cloud base was high and I felt confident of navigating my way back along the stream as this was the best option with continuing spasms in my legs.
I had a map and compass, so assured the group i would be okay.
Embarrassed, having only met these guys about a couple of hours earlier, and annoyed with myself, for not preparing for this properly I left the group to continue their hike while I dropped back down the valley,
I was relieved the pressure was off, and could sit and rest for a while. Stretching the calfs as much as I could, but I was a little concerned about revisiting that wet slippery rock section above the falls.
On arriving back at the wet rock, the down flowing stream that runs across it was flowing a little more than a few hours earlier, making it a treacherous crossing.
I was so nervous, I slipped on my waterproof trousers and slid over the rock on my arse.
I put the cramps down to a lack of fitness on my part and a fast pace by the group, climbing 1,300ft in a mile from the falls was a tough start.
I messaged the group once I was back at the car, as they'd asked, just to let them know I was down safely.
I have never walked with any of the group since.
10 months later, I was a lot fitter having been in the gym all summer, dropping from 12st to 11st I decided to return on my own and finish the walk I started.
See Aber Falls and the Carneddau Range revisited.
