Near Disaster on the Glyders: When Our Hike Took a Wrong Turn

[@stevej4847]

It was well worth persevering and completing the walk. Great pictures Paul.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

it was an amazing day out

[@michaelhesbrook6813]

Hi paul what a great day that was. I am glad that with all that beautiful scenery and sense of adventure it was me speaking to you that made your day. Keep up the good work and most importantly stay safe.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Yes it was it made my day

[@michaelhesbrook6813]

@@paulcomptonpdphotography you do know i am only joking. as a seasoned hill walker i can tell you had a special day long may it remain in your memories

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

many thanks

[@wendyshort5972]

Great video Paul. Great pictures too. Glad you did the challenge and made it safely back to the road.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jackiepentrecoed]

Thank you, Paul, for taking me to places I know I will never get to. Fabulous images!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

You are very welcome

[@timrosenburgh8597]

What an adventure Paul. That was one hell of a walk. Absolutely stunning conditions. It was nice to see you out with Gareth. You captured some fantastic image's and the last two were amazing. Look forward to the next one. Catch up with you soon mate.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it it was such a nice day

[@dannymacamaturephotographe6352]

Paul that was the best video on photography i have seen and i follow lots of photographers. images are amazing well done you . Danny

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Danny your a star thank you

[@charlesrobert9527]

Well Paul I have only just come across your channel and this was the first video of yours I watched. Wow it was a good watch. Several tensions stood out for me. Without doubt I could tell you were out of your comfort zone in the snow and in particular on that last descent. To be fair that last descent is tough in summer, with snow and ice I am sort of pleased you only took a tiny amount of footage or otherwise the tension would have been too much. The main tension was a very pleasant one in seeing and hearing your sheer delight at the photo opportunities you encountered. Wow, you have taken some cracking photos, I am not a photographer but I know that mountain area quite well in summer and winter and I really appreciated seeing your photos. Not only did they jog my memories but it was brilliant to see the views, the rocks etc through your lens. I would find it very hard to say which photos I liked best because they are all really good. You almost got a sharp Broken Spectre and whilst I have seen several I have never been quick enough to take a half descent photo. Your sunset shots of Snowdon were awesome. I also really like the close up rock and snow shots that are not in silhouette, the ones you took on Y Garn. Castel Y Gwent is such a fabulous rock system with its spikes and you had several superb shots of them in silhouette. I have subscribed to your channel and look forward to more of your videos. Thank you for sharing and I hope your next walk and shoot is not so mentally exhausting.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

All i can say is WOW THANK YOU and a big welcome to the channel, i can not promise as good as this all the time but you will always get the real me haha

[@trevorsneath4665]

A lot of 'amazing' photos from the trip Paul and I can't pick a favourite. But yeah, the ones of Snowden in the clouds with the suns above were excellent. And what an adventure. Well done on handling the anxiety, it's a huge achievement worth congratulations. Am looking forward to seeing 'Gavins' video of the trip now.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

It was a great trip out with so many ghood photos

[@nickliveseyphotographingth5050]

Paul, I mean this with no malice whatsoever and you know I always shoot from the hip. Your short cut down Bristly Screes was sheer muppetry and I didn't notice any ice axes either. A winter skills and navigation course would be of great benefit to you. If you keep winging it then sooner or later you'll come unstuck. I hope you've learned a valuable lesson. That said, some nice images and an enjoyable video :)

[@juliansykes960]

If you ever get stuck up there, best bet is it to trek down from the ends (Foel Goch side or Carnedd Y Filiast side) and not attempt coming down the sides. You can literally walk off the ends of the Glyderau Range with very little risk.

[@nickliveseyphotographingth5050]

@@juliansykes960 The trouble with that is that you end up a long way from your vehicle. From Glyder Fach there is a perfectly amenable path down to Caseg Fraith but they've eschewed that for a suck it and see sketchfest for the sake of saving a couple of km. Late in the day, winter conditions, poor decision making, no proper kit and a lack of planning is an excellent recipe for misadventure!

[@karengoody8142]

Great images beautifull secanary

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Nick 100%, i was not happy when i found out we was going this way again, after you spoke to me last time. An axe i dont have. I took my time and made sure each step was a good one. I would like to find out the better way down just in case i am ever up there again.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

i need to find this way down and make sure i know for any other times.

[@desgardner7169]

I can't believe how many risks you guys took! A lot of people watch these channels I hope they don't get any ideas to do the same! glad you both made it down!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

its why i make them and show the real side not just the easy bits

[@trevorperkins4534]

Great images, well worth the hike, and the cold

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Yes it was!

[@raybridges1927]

Absolutely epic Paul. What an adventure. Far beyond me nowadays. Great images too. One of your very best.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Yes it was, it was a great day out..

[@marksymonds8477]

Excellent video,it’s a great hike and you know your going to get great views and pictures. It’s never nice going down in the dark,but having the right gear is essential,also staying together.looking forward to seeing your next adventure Paul.👍

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

You got that right! many thanks

[@alanparkinson549]

Absolutely STAY TOGETHER! Right equipment, know your limitations and abide by them when planning your route, and stay together unless you're forced to separate to get Mountain Rescue. I've done a little rock climbing there, on Tryffan. On the first trip I ended up carrying one handle of a stretcher down the mountain, with a fatally injured solo climber strapped to it. It just aint worth it for a pretty picture! But they are gorgeous! I used to fly, and got one or two nice shots of the Brockenspectre on film - my flying machine surrounded by a complete circle. Scared the living daylights out of me until I realised what the other aircraft really was and I wasn't going to have a head-on collision! Hope Gareth's OK.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

100% i would never leave anyone again... slow and together is better than alone.. Gareth is ok now..

[@martinheathcote6010]

Really enjoyed that great pics, required a great effort well done!🙂

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Thank you so much 😀

[@daverees9038]

Great video Paul & some great lmages. One of your best in my opinion 👍

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Wow, thank you

[@jhaydnreynolds]

Great images especially the long lens view of Snowdon at the end.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

than kyou so much

[@johndavies12]

Great set of images 👌 looked dodgy on the way down ... had a similar experience climbing down off snowdon in the dark on my own not the best Idea... well glad I was when the lights at pen y pass came into view ... once again fantastic photos Paul

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

it was not funny, i need a trip back up Snowdon.. what way did you go

[@andykennerley8159]

Well done mate stunning photos glad you got back safely 🙏

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Me too

[@elliswoodphoto]

Nice video Paul and some great images!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SteveMorris1964]

Just watching you get up to the summit I was out of breath, that's a clime too high for me at the moment mate hahaha, but having said that, I'm joining the gym again, need to get my fitness up to scratch for Iceland in October and all inbetween. That walk down mate, was dangerous as you know and qaudrupled in the dark and I'm surprised you attempted it because I know you are very safety conscious as I've been out with you on numerous occasions now. I'm glad you both made it safely down and I'm sure you won't be attempting anything like that again unless you have the correct equipment and training. Anyway mate, loved the images and the video, keep safe this weekend and I'll see you on Wednesday ready for the flight to Faroe on Thursday 👍

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

will be out of breath next week then

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Fantastic video and photos. That light 👌

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tjapkoheijgelaar1950]

WOW!!!!! What a great story.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

it was ok yer... have you been

[@tjapkoheijgelaar1950]

@@paulcomptonpdphotography No, live in Scotland, love your sScotland trips. Now in Torridon for a walk.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

wow love Scotland, maybe you can send me some new places to visit

[@glynollier3727]

Awesome mate and some stunning images to boot. Great memories made but I'm sure you know yourself that you were taking too much of a risk at times. 📷👏👏

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Absolutely its time to be careful

[@stevehargatephotography6390]

Jesus! I'm glad I had to leave on Saturday evening after watching that. No seriously though I wish I could have stayed and done that walk with you and Gareth it looked amazing, I had a great day Saturday with you both. See you soon.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

You and me both! it was good to see you again... ill take you up there if you like another time..

[@chrissyplanteater2892]

That we not a safe exit but glad it ended safely please take care next time 😮❤

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

It was very scary going that way down

[@RoamingPhotography]

Yep! I would have been anxious too coming down that! Fair play dude !

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Anxious is not enough haha

[@ctphoto]

How are you going to beat that set of images. Superb.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

haha ill have to try harder

[@jaromirmikolajczak9055]

I also noticed you shotted with iso 800. Why do you use such high value in that superb light conductions and landscaping? Pictures are brilliant!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

it was a total mistake this time

[@iainmc9859]

The photo's were great but I'm thoroughly in Nick Livesey's camp here, that was reckless inexperience, and you got split up in the dark (presumably at low level - hopefully). A good rule of thumb is 1/3 of the time to go up and 2/3rds of the time to come down again. If you're racing against the falling light to get back to safety, unless you're geared up for a high level camp, then you're putting your life at risk and also that of volunteer rescuers as well. You won't get a like for this one. Learn from the experience and next time go with someone experienced ... like Nick !

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Please dont think i was reckless, i had most of the gear, i had lights crampons walking poles and food and water, and warm gear.. i was ready. i was ok but not happy. Gareth is also a very good walker and does a lot more than me, it was his boots that let him down this time. Yes we got split up at lower level and i have to say thius was my fault i was moving a little faster than him and did not realise. Looking back i should of waited...

[@iainmc9859]

I'm not saying I've never done anything stupid in the hills. I got caught out by falling light a couple of years ago, trying to get that 'sunset shot' on a craggy hill locally I'd never been up before. I knew there was no 'path', I relied on sheep and deer tracks, which of course you can't see in the dark, coming down the shortest route I ended up climbing over multiple barbed wire fences and resorted to some garden hopping to get back to the road - stupid, dangerous, illegal .... and I didn't get the shot ! You should have called it a day before going up the Glyders; that sense of discomfort was written all over your face from that point onwards. I understand you sometimes don't trust your own assessment of risk due to your anxiety levels, but that feeling of self-preservation is there for a very good reason. Pushing yourself, fine and dandy - knowing that if it all goes pear shaped you're scuppered without rescue isn't. A night on the hill with an injury, without shelter, or sleeping bag, in winter .... @@paulcomptonpdphotography

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

very true, i would never like to be stuck, that said i do carry a bivvy i know it dont make it right but i do have emergency kit on me..

[@riparoy1239]

Good job!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Thanks!

[@juliansykes960]

That scree slope up to the pinnacle before actual summit of Y Garn is completely nuts. I definitely wouldn’t like to have done that when it was icy.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

That scree was not good, and yer a mess when not frozen, have you been up there

[@juliansykes960]

@@paulcomptonpdphotography Yes, a couple of years ago in the summer. That trek up is a complete leg breaker. The scree slope though, no hand holds and very little grip through your feet. I just picked out nuggets of rock to stick a foot on, launched myself upwards and hoped for the best. I came down Devils Kitchen which was epic

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

next time Devils Kitchen for me

[@Carbonisation]

Just curious, but why did you use ISO 800 for most if not all of the images?

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

it was a total mistake...

[@StephenCadwallader-31]

Great experience for you Paul and fantastic photos. Just one thing I don’t understand why you all didn’t stick together on the way back especially in the dark . If you go in a group you should always stick together till the end of the trip . Accidents can easily happen in those conditions and if your on your own who’s going to help you? .

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I learned a lesson that day... it was a moment thing...

[@JaseEvoX]

Some nice photo's but could have been at a high cost. Some questionable decisions on the route looking at the gear you appeared to have/not have.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

i have poles, crampons food water and warm cloths and a light, so i had all i needed Gareths boots let him down this was the big issue.. Its just a steep way donw that i did not know till the end we was doing again.. i had beed that way once before in another video (worth a watch)

[@cgriggsiv]

Paul Here's a question for you Do you watch corporals corner because because that theme music you're using in this video he created he Yes I am a photographer mountain biker Bushcraft , mountain biker, photographer Outdoor Look how pretty this camera is Pentax K1 Mark II Weekend warrior all things outdoors

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

nope i use music from youtube library

[@jakegreenwoodphotography]

Photography question: some of your pics are 1/4700s and 800iso. Out of interest why not do slower to get a lower iso? I know 800 is just fine but most togs I watch aim for lowest native iso so was wondering if there’s a tech reason you kept speed that high I realise high speed helps hand holding but 1/2000s would reduce iso to like

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

SO great question this was at the start i had the camera set wrong and then i got carried away on the day out and not the camera only to notice later i had a high ISO... so all i can say is my mistake. but that said they are all sharp and you cant see much difference haha

[@davidwalker2402]

Why was every shot taken at ISO800 ?

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

i know i know, i think i was in the moment and not looking at the settings, it dont really matter at least they were sharp

[@davidwalker2402]

@@paulcomptonpdphotography Good job, with all the new SW around now it’s not a problem at all.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

i know its easy to take a photo now

[@michaelpeberday9167]

Wow. That's all I can say. I'm worn out just watching.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

haha i was defo worn out

[@jonfletcher147]

My God rather you than me!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

haha you can say that again

[@VanlifePhotographyGear]

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

ta