Persid Night Walk. Thursday 12th August 2021

Why do a night walk? Above all it prepares and builds confidence to walk in the dark, just in case one day we are forced to do so due to unforeseen circumstances. On a good night, the sights and sounds also provide for a very different and rewarding walking experience.

This walk was planned to coincide with the annual Persid Meteor Shower, which, if you are very lucky, can result in you seeing up to 100 'shooting stars' an hour. Alas. at 9.30 pm on the day, the 13 walkers who congregated at the start were greeted by strong winds and thick mist. The forecast promised improving conditions with clear spells, so the group set off as planned.

Initially, the ambient light was sufficient to negotiate the track, but soon the ground conditions deteriorated requiring the use of torches. Our route, from Bwlch-gwynt to Foel Cwmcerwyn, simple to navigate in daylight posed more of a challenge at night, particularly as it is easy to be led astray avoiding boggy areas. The conditions did not improve as forecast, so with minimal visibility and a strong wind there was just a brief stop at the trig point before heading back to the start and a late night drive home.

Despite not seeing any stars, the walkers could go home with the satisfaction of having walked to the top of the Preselis at night in challenging conditions.

Note. This walk had been carefully planned and reconnoitred. On the night, a GPS with an accurate compass was used for navigation. Please do not undertake this or similar night walks without adequate training or experience.