A MOMENT CAPTURED: SNOWDONIA

Mountain Leader Cathy from Heads Up Navigation shares her favourite photograph and what it means to her.

This photo was taken in May 2018 on the last morning of an intense 4 days honing my navigation skills before my imminent Mountain Leader assessment. I knew I needed another mountain fix before dragging myself away and back down the motorway to Sussex. A 6am short hike up from one of my favourite campsites, Hafod-y-llan at the base of the Watkins path, and 15 minutes later having fully submerged myself in the beautiful, cool waters, I sat on a rock and just breathed in the view.

My recent times in the mountains had all been focused on practice, practice, practice, and it felt almost ironic that whilst developing such confidence to navigate in more remote places, and immerse myself even deeper amongst the mountains, I felt a kind of disconnection from them. Taking the time and having the space to just sit in this stunning spot, alone, surrounded by their magnificence and beauty, I felt overwhelmed by the importance of not ever losing sight of why I love being in the mountains; and why I want to enable others to experience this too. I realised that despite how much it would mean to me to qualify as a Mountain Leader, I’d never want this need to replace the deep value to be found by simply stopping, to look, to wonder, to appreciate, to feel, and to find perspective through their greatness. This place will always be one of my favourite places in Snowdonia to do just that.

What does adventure mean to you?

Adventure to me is about being open to new experiences, in new places, with new people and embracing that feeling of uncertainty and trust that what will be will be. Most of my experiences of adventure have been found through travel and outdoor activities, and I believe the knock on effect of putting myself out of my comfort zone, trusting that I can do something that may seem scary or beyond me, is that I can more openly experience the great unknown adventure of life.