Betws-Y-Coed to Llyn Crafnant Resevoir
6.09 Miles
It's normal that on the last day the distance is not so great. This is to ensure a reasonably early finish to the event. The final day this year was a surprise for us. I had anticipated a short leg with possibly a steep section - sort of up and down but quickly. The organisers did a good job in fooling us. It was a forest leg, with navigation one of the main elements. As a result it turned into a relative sprint, with the climbing sections being moderate and relatively short. Both Tony and Lyn decided to go the whole day and I think Malc would have as well, if he hadnt shredded his feet walking in a newish pair of boots.
Finding the checkpoints was altogether a different proposition though. Navigating in woods with a map and compass is not so easy. You are alright until you no longer know exactly where you are on the map. Once in that position, it's easy to take wrong bearings and turns because it’s easy to imagine you are in one place, when in reality you are in another. Fortunately for me, Tony was there to set me straight on occasions because I got it seriously wrong and would have had us heading off into the woods on completely the wrong tack.
So, with the sun beating down through the firebreaks we pushed hard to try to keep our place or even improve. This area around Betws-Y-Coed is very picturesque. Different to the ruggedness of the hills. With tranquil, mirrored lakes dotting the area, we wound through valleys and forests. We spied a pair of cuckoos in one of the open areas (first time I've ever seen one), strange birds with necks that look too long.
