Invariably, the fields of mid-Wales are wet with at least dew and probably rain at approximately 5:30am when walkers first leave the Anchor – Kerry road and progress onto the Kerry Ridgeway. If still dry by Mochdre Brook, then exit from this particularly muddy and difficult stretch will soon change the condition of your feet! Accordingly, if wearing anything less than boots (or wellies!) wet feet are almost inevitable at these early stages. This doesn’t bother some people; most will try to avoid it but with little success. My preference is accept wet feet and, using firm training shoes with a good tread, to change socks at each checkpoint. It’s amazing how better new socks make your feet feel, particularly if you also carry kitchen roll to dry both your feet and the inside of your shoes beforehand. I have found M & S tennis socks to be adequate; newness and condition of the loop-stitch inner is more important than brand in my opinion.

From CP3 – CP4 over Plynlimon, some entrants forward hiking boots to CP3, carrying their lighter footwear for re-use when Nant-Y-Moch is reached. Boots may then be left at CP4 for forwarding to Aberystwyth.