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I think we have a hardy crew of the ones I know so bar not being able to physically get there we'll be at the Spar in Mach at 1pm or the veggie cafe eating falafel 😕
plus I've got my hip flask tipple Laphroaig Quarter Cask 48% to beat the cold 😯 so the incentive is there along with some Bara Brith 😛
Being such a skinny bloke I get first dibs sleeping in the middle of the nest. I've shared Pete's bodywarmth previously, I know it's good. I'm really going to need it!
Weather is going to be barmy tomorrow. Can't remember the last time it was a high as 4 degrees...
Though I'm sure we can compensate by going to a higher elevation 😉
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We'll be fine I'm sure, at ground level it will still be chilly.
Ambrose I asked you before not to mention that, I still have the salami photo's 😯
Just got some food in prep for final pack tonight
Just so I know, how much water do we need to take.
Currently got a 800ml bottle and assuming there will be opportunity to re-fill before cooking?
If not I'll bring the 3l Camelbak.
I'm sure there is water near by or snow 😉
Suppose can't hurt to bring as much as you can as long as you're happy to carry it, but if not I'm sure between us we'll have enough of most things.
I'm going to bring my camelbak as it will have my trail tools etc in it so I may aswell bring that I may only fill it half way though to minimalise the weight.
IanB Could you post a link to the site that creates that graph, I have a caravan in Devils Bridge and would be interested in monitoring the weather.
@pistonbroke - only if you leave the keys to the caravan on top of the wheel so we can have a refuge if it goes tits up 😉
Might be a problem getting the key there from Sheffield. It could be a very posh igloo by now, it's quite a way from your chosen location which I'm assuming is Angler's Retreat. There's a house there though or a bothy at the head of Nant Y Moch.
Don't worry about the link Ian, found it.
No shortage of water nearby ... two rivers.
My biggest concern is cold (oddly) so I'll bring a LARGE tarp, if need be we could pretty much fit everyone under ... and have a party 😉
Think it'll be wise to limit riding to minor roads and doubletrack on the whole, I'll take a guess and say the conditions will add enough of a technical aspect, even more so when you consider the added weight.
If anyone needs to get hold of me (running late, etc) I'll have a phone on me 07504817265. Obviously we won't set off until everyone on Ians list has turned up ... unless we hear otherwise. If anyone else still fancies it feel free, if you can't be bothered to read the entire thread then 1pm outside the Spar in Machynlleth Sat 4th, back in Mach' Sun in time for the cafes to open!
Right, I'll stop being serious now.
pistonbroke is the old farm at the far end of Nant y Moch used as a bothy now? or is it just emergencies?
It's not an official bothy but the roof is intact, are you referring to the one by the road or the one by Nant Y Barac? There is also the shedding hut at Hyddgen if you want a roof or similar at Hafodwnog, in fact why are you going to such a built up area 😀
SN762889 was where I was meaning. If we really do need a roof then Bugeilyn would be on the cards as it shouldn't take us too much out of our way.
I know the MBA tried for years to secure the building at the above GR but reckoned they could never get in touch with the owner?
Don't know about that one, not been there for a while, the one about 1km SW has the added benefit of a copse of trees for shelter, or it did last time I was there. It's uninhabited as far as I know and just above a stream. The track from the NE is very boggy in normal conditions but may be frozen atm, there is/was a new footbridge just downstream from the building you were thinking of.(theres a photo on google earth)
Have fun
Alright Chaps, just been enjoying the thread shame I couldnt make it out with you chaps but as Im in between bikes at the mo I guess I'll have to hang on for the photo's.. Make sure you take a load... Have a top time
sound like we're heading for an abandoned village 😯
shame you can't make it Bigface if you let us know sooner we could have sorted a bike for you.
going to have final pack tonight once the kids are in bed 😉
very jealous, though in this cold fair play to you all! Have a good un.
not late to join the fun maxray
No villages Valleydaddy but we will be near to 'The Hill of Graves' ... so we'll have to try not to add to it 😯
Bigface, all is not lost, if you fancy it I'll bring another bike along, can also do bivvy bag if required.
Ooh and it's snowing again, I think it's fair to assume that when the forecast says rain or drizzle we'll get snow.
I think this weekend as my first bivvy might be a baptism of fire 🙂 Also lacking equipment. Think I would like to try and do a few next year though 🙂
I was being ironic with the built up area comment. Although 150 years ago there were thousands of people employed in this area mining lead and silver, they were transported up from surrounding villages by tramways and on foot so it hasn't always been as far from civilisation as today. If you are bivvying around Hyddgen moor, keep an eye out for the ghosts of Owain Glyndwrs men, the battle of 1401 caused the rivers to run red with blood. MWAHAHAHA
Pistonbroke, I think many more English/Flemish were killed that day ... remember it was a Welsh victory 😉
I'm more concerned about the ghost of a sheperds wife who wonders the hill side just above our spot for the night.
Correct but Bryn Y Beddau (hill of the graves) is believed to be the burial place of the Welsh dead whereas the English and Flemish were left for the crows, don't forget to have a minute at the memorial stone to the shepherd who was killed up there in a blizzard at the end of March(IIRC) 1901, its at 781921.
Shut up with your stories of people dieing up there in blizzards man 😉
And you're right, the English dead were left where they fell ... I can't ever figure out why the Welsh dead weren't buried nearer the battle site, perhaps we'll never know.
But it's not March yet.
Ah, that's alright then 😀
Has it been snowing or something?
It might have, I've taken that semi-slick off the back so that should tell you something ... is anyone bringing a sledge or will sleeping mats suffice?
I'll bring a sledge no probs I may drag it on the back of the bike 😉
Looking forward to the ghost stories and zombies in the woods 😥
@Still.. Thanks for the offer but I need to give 'Fun Control' a bit more notice.. Have a great time 8)
You might be glad to hear (if anyone is still interested or cares) major thaw has started ... half the snow has gone in 3 hours ... over and out.
All packed and ready for the off in the morning, only problem is snow has just hit Aberdare, real wet and slushy so hoping this doesn't freeze or I'll be sledging to Mach 🙁
Fingers crossed for the morning
Just driven over from that, there London. The Brigens over the tops were pretty bad, couple of cars stuck and digging cars out. No grit.
Mach is pretty clear just a inch and it seems to be slushing up.
The Spar at Mach
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The Bara brith
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Bara brith looks good Tiger.
Did you bring the Hunka? I may yet use it this weekend...
Yep, got, will carry it to Mach but then it's your bother 🙂
Cool, cheers. I've got room for it somewhere...
Looking very doubtful that I'll be there I'm afraid. 🙁 Next time I hope.
what's up Ambrose street bad??
There's still 36hours before people set off so I'd expect at least one more bailer.
wish i'd nipped down the bookies. 😉
which way did you go tiger?
Oi!!! quiters! I've just driven 220 miles through snow with Mrs Tiger and Sprogs. No excuses!
Welshpool A458
A470
A489 to Mach
Ambrose - not sure where you're based, but if travel is a problem but you could get as far as Brecon, you can get a lift with me.
Ambrose hasn't bailed yet just said it was looking unlikely.
We've just had a dump of snow here but it's really wet and slushy so his concern probably is if it freezes it'll be a mare in the morning as he lives up a steep hill so not the easiest in bad weather.
Come on Ambrose I need my buddy 🙁
🙂 Hello wife!
being stalked
Oh and the Mother-in-Law is thinking this may be something from "Deliverance"
"Squeal like a Mochyn"