OS Champion

Carys Rees

Meet Carys, a Mountain Rescue team member and big fan of wild camping in Bannau Brycheiniog

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

An outdoor lover on a mission to empower women to experience the freedom and euphoria
of solo adventuring. I am a member of Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team as well as a
hiker, swimmer, wild camper and paddler who runs the This Girl Walks website which
shares routes, hints, tips and discounts to help get you outside.
I pretty much do everything and anything. I hike, camp, swim and paddle as well as train
once a week with mountain rescue and take part in rescues.

There are so many reasons why I love to get outside. The beauty of my surroundings, the
tranquillity, exploring the magical and enchanted pools and rivers of the Brecon Beacons is like
something out of a fairy-tale. It calms me like nothing else.

My favourite is spending a night wild
camping It’s empowering and peaceful. When all the hikers have gone home, you have the
mountain to yourself to watch the sun disappear behind the peaks and a beautiful blanket of stars
fill the dark night sky. In the morning you unzip your tent to watch the sky almost on fire at first
light before the sun rises. It’s just magical.

What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Carys’ Favourite Place – Llyn Y Fan

Llyn y Fan. Having grown up in Carmarthenshire and hearing the tale of The Lady of the
Lake for as long as In can remember, this place will always have a special place in my heart.
Whenever I’m home, my father who is now in his mid 70s still hikes the route with me.

Explore Llyn Y Fan on OS Maps

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners

What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

I absolutely love maps, I have so many at home from all over the place. I adore the personalised
maps available on the OS site. I love how you can personalise some of your most precious
moments using an OS map

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking kit so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.
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Go to the shop

@thisgirlwalks Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi, Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri; Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd, Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.  Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad, Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau, O bydded i’r heniaith barhau. This land of my fathers is dear to me, Land of poets and singers, and people of stature, Her brave warriors, fine patriots, Shed their blood for freedom.  Land! Land! I am true to my land! As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land, May the language endure for ever. 🎵 by @Bronwen Lewis Music #dyddgwyldewi #cymru #wales #bannaubrycheiniog #walescoastpath #stdavidsday ♬ original sound – This Girl Walks / Carys Rees

Find and follow Carys online:

Instagram: @this.girlwalks
TikTok: @thisgirlwalks
Website: www.thisgirlwalks.co.uk

All OS Champions

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Hiking

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