Want to help keep North Wales clean? The Envirotrek series of clean-up events is coming to Llanberis on 17 August. Don't let the day go to waste!
The recent spell of continental summer weather here in the UK makes it so much easier to get out and about and enjoy land, sea and water. When a hot summer shines in Llanberis in North Wales, for example – there is no shortage of activities for fun in the sun.
From hillwalking in the Snowdonia mountains, open water swimming in Llyn Padarn (recently designated as Wales’ first freshwater bathing lake with ‘excellent’ water quality), cycling, angling, canoeing, climbing, running, coasteering, camping and generally hanging out till the sun sets, in magnificent style, over this particular aspect of North Snowdonia.
All this fun in the sun is excellent for local tourism, which means a higher footfall in the area – especially when the weather delivers ‘summer’! So it’s also necessary to make sure locals and visitors alike are doing their best to help popular areas like Llanberis and the surrounding environment cope with the impact that increased use can have.
Unfortunately, with an influx of people in popular locations, there is usually evidence left behind in the form of picnic debris, litter and dog mess. To keep this beautiful mountain area clean, we all have to take some responsibility and we can all do something to help this worldwide issue. So North Wales based mountain activities provider, RAW Adventures, thought it appropriate that Llanberis should take part in ‘Envirotrek Series 2014’- on the back of successful UK events held in the Peak District and Lake District in 2013.
2014 is the sixth consecutive season of the Envirotrek Clean Up Series, which takes place across various European mountain destinations including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and France. Sponsors of Envirotrek 2014 are KEEN Footwear, Barefoot Wine and Bergans of Norway.
Envirotrek gives people the opportunity to give something back to their environment while enjoying some playtime in the great outdoors. The day is a culmination of commitment from the European non-profit organisation Respect the Mountains, Local Producers RAW Adventures, local providers, volunteers, families and other organisations that believe in spreading the word about keeping our playgrounds clean for now and for the future.
On Sunday 17 August, Llanberis will host an Envirotrek day and ‘Base Camp’ will be at The Heights pub on Llanberis High Street. The opening event is at 10am followed by a morning’s local clean up activity and walk led by local leaders. The recent hot weather has seen many people using the shores of Llyn Padarn for parties, picnics and BBQs, for example, so hopefully we can help keep the shores of the lake clear of potential litter and debris. This session will be followed by our own delicious BBQ back at The Heights as reward for the morning’s efforts.
The afternoon is set aside for participants to enjoy canoeing on Llyn Padarn, a high ropes course or local climbing/abseiling facilitated by local providers. There will even be a chance to win some great prizes including KEEN footwear and gifts for the best or most interesting litter found, with the days event closing at approximately 4pm. Cost for the day’s activity (including lunch and event t-shirt) is £9 for adults, £4.50 for under 12s.
Ultimately, this event is to make us revisit important ‘leave no trace’ principles and spread the word to as many people as want to hear it! There is no harm in us all remembering from time to time what it is we love about our worldwide outdoor environments and what little changes and help we can give them, on the ground – local and global.
For example, Respect the Mountains promote 7 ways in which we can sustain the use of popular mountain areas:
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Book smart
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Travel wise
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Support sustainable practices
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Be a respectful mountain tourist
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Leave no trace
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Reduce – reuse – recycle – upcycle
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Spread the word
These principles apply to whatever area we call our playground.
Find out more
Envirotrek comes to the Lake District
On the weekend after the Llanberis event, Envirotrek will be in Great Langdale, based at Wainwrights’ Inn in Chapel Stile (Sunday 24 August).
See the BMC Local Areas site for more details
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