Day 16 - 20th June - Rhinog Fach

Had another brilliant day, abot 10 miles and 3300 ft, from Barmouth to the base of Rhinog Fach.
It was pretty windy as we climbed out of town, but the weather was perfect again. Once at about 2000 feet, we could see for miles, including the first ever Welsh hill I climbed...

Mum and dad took us all to Blackrock Sands when I was about 8 and bought us all a pair of red and blue canvas walking boots. We all climbed the 'mountain' behind the beach, which is only a few hundred feet, but it seemed like Everest to a young lad from flattest Kent!
Thanks ma and pa - I'm back, over 30 years later - look what you started! When we get to Porthmadoc, I'll have one of 'those' ice creams and think of you!

We carried on along the ridge towards the Rhinogs (lots of up and downs). We were watching the weather come in from the south and all of a sudden, a downpour replaced the light showers and sunny spells. We put on the 'proofs and marched the last 2 hours, knocking off another couple of 2000 footers in zero viz.
We topped out our last climb before our planned wildcamp next to the lake below Rhinog Fach and the cloud blew off and the sun shone until sunset allowing us to pitch and dry our kit in the most perfect spot ever, I'll get some photos up when I get back. Money couldn't buy this experience.
Today was everything I love about backpacking as opposed to day hiking. We were 'forced' onto the hills on a day you would normally stay at home, and you see weather situations and experience dramatic conditions that make a complete mountain experience.
Just spoke to Sarah, missing them all again - I am a crap adventurer! Had a great home dehydrated meal, eaten out of a freezer bag with the titanium spoon I saved from certain death yesterday - prawm jumbalaya.
All kit is great including the new water filter and the Montbell down jacket that Tak got for me when she was in Japan last week. The Z55 is so comfy that I forget I have 30lbs on my back.
Al is going great guns - I hope I can walk as well as him when I'm 72!
Night, night, got to get some sleep as we are (hopefully - depending on some thundery showers that the met office say are coming) going to climb Rhinog Fach and Fawr tomorrow and have another wildcamp above a decomissioned nuclear station!