View Full Version : S. Wales tracking group anyone?
I've been thinking about this for a bit now. Although I'm outdoors at Merthyr Mawr a lot of the time it isn't very often I get time to concentrate on my tracking. I attended a Shadowhawk tracking course in April and found it really useful just concentrating on tracking with other people and being to learn from all of our mistakes.
So, would anyone be interested in a group specifically set up to practice and learn about tracking in the S.Wales area?
If so how often would people think it should be held, where should it be held, how should it be run, what should be the mix of theory and practical, etc. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated
Cheers Frogo.
I'll let you know when I've got something sorted out. I'm planning on having a chat with Max from Shadowhawk at the Wilderness Gathering this weekend to get his advice so I'll have a better idea how to do things after that.
I know that Ed and possibly a few others may be interested as well.
I'll probably be interested in coming, if it's ok for people new to tracking to come along. :)
Yep... I'm up for it :D .....
Ed
bikething
03-09-2005, 12:44
Me too please :) (no previous tracking experience though :o )
OK, I'll have a look and try and come up with a date and a location (Beginning of October OK?)
I had a chat with Max at the Wilderness Gathering and he was very helpful with suggestions on how to run it etc.
As for experience of tracking don't worry as most of us are probably novice and those of us who aren't will benefit as there is always something new to learn!
I thought that probably the best way to organise the group would be to sort a programme of different subjects to be covered at each monthly(?) meet up rather than just turning up and looking for whatever we could find.
I'd also try and come up with some experiments / observations that could be carried out at home away from the group and then reported on at the next meet up.
Any suggestions for subjects to be covered gratefully received.!
I'll put another post up when I've sorted out a programme for the first meet up
How about either the 1st or the 15th October for a tracking meet?. Merthyr Mawr as the venue unless anyone else has got anywhere else they would like to go? ( I know its easy for me and may be getting a bit repetitive for some but with all that sand its a great place to start. I may try to see if we can use the campsite classroom in the case of bad weather)
How about either the 1st or the 15th October for a tracking meet?
The 1st might be good for me - I'm leaving Wales either that day or the next.
This sounds interesting - I've no experience whatsoever, but would be interested nonetheless! :)
I'll be there :) either date is fine by me.
:D
Ed
maverick
08-09-2005, 10:35
How did I miss this, Count me in.
Right, time and place sorted.
Sunday October 1st, 10am at the Candleston car park at Merthyr Mawr.
More details of what we'll be doing on the day coming soon.
Right, time and place sorted.
Sunday October 1st, 10am at the Candleston car park at Merthyr Mawr.
Isn't the 1st of October on a Saturday? :confused:
bikething
10-09-2005, 09:39
It's a saturday on my calendar as well!
I'm travelling back from Derbyshire on the saturday, could do Sunday though.
Steve
im going to be starting at uni in aberystwyth in a few weeks.. is that south enough to join in?
If you can make it to Merthry Mawr you are more than welcome mate :D
:)
Ed
Isn't the 1st of October on a Saturday? :confused:
DOH! Yup you're right. :rolleyes:
Sunday is probably the best for most people (me included) so lets say Sunday 2nd October 10 am @ Merthyr Mawr. Everybody welcome.
The way I'm looking at the meetup is that it is a way of getting people interested in tracking together to practise and discuss tracking techniques. It is not a tracking school where you will be taught by instructors.
So that we (hopefully) will get the best out of the day I've tried to put together a programme of what to look at and discuss at the first meeting.
Different styles of tracking.
The attributes of a tracker & the use of the senses.
How to measure and record tracks.
Track characteristics & recognising common track patterns
This may seem basic to some but I thought it would be plenty for us to start with and would be useful for anyone new to tracking.
This isn't written in stone so if there is anything that anybody would like to change, look at or discuss let me know.
Please does anyone know if it'll be possible to get to Merthyr Mawr from the Cynon Valley on public transport...?
havingagiraffe
21-09-2005, 22:16
Please does anyone know if it'll be possible to get to Merthyr Mawr from the Cynon Valley on public transport...?
According to my timetable, there are no trains leaving the Cynon Valley before ten o'clock on a Sunday morning, so the odds of getting to Merthyr Mawr in time for the moot are very slim.
According to my timetable, there are no trains leaving the Cynon Valley before ten o'clock on a Sunday morning, so the odds of getting to Merthyr Mawr in time for the moot are very slim.
Thanks, Dave. :p You can give me a lift then. ;)
havingagiraffe
22-09-2005, 20:28
Thanks, Dave. :p You can give me a lift then. ;)
I'll give you a lift as far as the railway station on my way to work. :D You can borrow my bicycle and Pathfinder if you're feeling fit :) , but there's no way I'm letting you loose with my Landy. :)
I'll be there, Where is Merthyr Mawr :confused:
I'll be there, Where is Merthyr Mawr :confused:
Merthyr Mawr is just South of Bridgend. There is a link to a map on the BCUK site that shows the location but I can't seem to find it at the moment.
The meeting point is at grid ref SS872773
Hi Wolfie,
Have you got room for one more?
Thanks
Nigel
No problem Nigel.
I'll put another post up today hopefully about the day. Got to go & do some work now!
If your'e planning on coming to the meet this Sunday here are a few things that may be useful to bring along.
Measuring tape - builders type will be fine
Notebook, pencil etc
Lunch and hot drink - there are no pubs / cafe nearby
Camera
Tracking stick if you have one - if you haven't don't worry its not vital
Waterproofs / warm clothing - we may have access to some shelter if it rains but this isn't confirmed.
Sense of humour / fun
Hi Duncan,
Thanks for taking the time out on your day off, it was a very interesting day at Merthyr mawr. I hope we can do it again sometime.
Thanks mate
Nigel
Sorry I couldn't make it guys..... and it looks like I'll be unable to make it a regular thing :( ...... I'll try and pop down for the meets when I can. Ihoep you all had a good time :)
Ed
Hi Duncan,
Thanks for taking the time out on your day off, it was a very interesting day at Merthyr mawr. I hope we can do it again sometime.
Thanks mate
Nigel
No problem Nigel. Hope you had a good day. Good to meet you and hope to see you again sometime. If you need any more info on any of those books just let me know.
Duncan,
Definitely will have to visit Merthr mawr again, I will have to bring the camera next time.
Oh the one book on the feathers, I was not able to find on amazon so if you could forward the title I would appreciate it.
Cheers
Nigel
Hi Wolfie
Sorry I could'nt make it on sunday :( ( double booked with she who must be obayed ) hope everyone had a good time, is this going to be a regular event :rolleyes: if so count me in. :D
I couldnt make it on sunday, I try to spend all day on sundays with Torin and unfortuantaly Torin is not allowed on myther mawr. :(
Fallowstalker
04-10-2005, 19:02
Joined too late - maybe next time! :rolleyes:
I was very disappointed I couldn't make it this time... :( Hope you all had a great day though, and I'll try my bestest to make it next time, if you have another meet! :D
Duncan,
Definitely will have to visit Merthr mawr again, I will have to bring the camera next time.
Oh the one book on the feathers, I was not able to find on amazon so if you could forward the title I would appreciate it.
Cheers
Nigel
PM on its way!
bow drill
12-10-2005, 00:44
just signed up so hi to you all
would like to get in to some tracking my self would ther be any chance of tagging along one day,
all the best
bow drill :) :confused: :)