George Downs - 1655187

Guiding a my partner who has a physical disability up Moel Famau for the first time. Before leaving home, I double checked the weather forcast for the Moel Famau/Mold area which stated it was to be clear most of the day but possibility of light rain later on. I decided to pack our waterproof coats and a change of clothes to keep in the car with extra towels. I had to take into consideration my pace, which route we took, the length of the hike, what to do if she sustained an injury due to her disability, where she was able to take regular rests. Parking in the Moel Famau paid carpark at the base of Moel Fenlli. I had packed enough water, food, first aid kit and registered to the 999 text service as an extra precaution. I then briefed my partner with the route I intended to take us and assured her that we would go at her pace and we could stop as many times as we needed. Leaving the carpark we started through a short wooded area and to a sharp incline on a man-made gravel path. Staying close to my partner incase she tripped but enough space where she could feel she was going this herself. We came to a choice of 2 paths, blue and green. My partner chose the green path which continued along the gravel path through the woodland to a small hill ahead. Summiting the hill we had full view on Moel Famau. We continued to the start of the ascent, the weather was still holding but a dark cloud was far in the distance but coming in our direction. I assessed it was safe for us to continue to the summit and descend in good time. My partner pushed herself admirably along the steep rocky path to the top, making most of the wooden benches along the way to the top. Once we summited we explored the Jubilee tower, the cloud was coming closer and droplets of rain were coming. I advised her to put on her waterproof coat and put up the hood, I did the same and we made out way back down the summit, through the wooded area with the manmade path and back to the carpark. The rain began falling heavily once back at the car. My judgement about the time we had to summit the mountian and return being correct.
During this trip I was able to exercise my leadership skills and abilities to motivate others whilst following a planned route. My partner came to some points during the walk where she was doubting her own abilities of walking as she had not done a walk of this size since being paralyzed and recovering. With my validation and compassion, I motivated her to keep going and instilled a confidence within her that she is capable of doing this walk, working past her mental negative self talk, whilst also taking into consideration that if she is in pain or struggling then the walk can be stopped at any point without judgement. I found using a physical map not needed for this as there was adequate signs to the summit and to the carpark, I however consulted my map at the beginning of the walk to show my partner the route I suggested we take that was appropriate for her current abilities. This hike instilled me with a new found passion for helping others with disabilities or low self-belief.