Dragon's Back Race - Day 1 Snowdonia/Eryri

Raging streams and moody skies!

The heavens opened. Streams and rivers were in full spate, the trods and trails were in full spate too. But it is beautiful whatever the weather.

I joined the event team late on Saturday and on Sunday I ran up from Conwy Castle into the surrounding hills on the start of the DBR route.

Looking back on Conwy

So, the weather was a bit brighter on Sunday and I managed to get some painting done. A view of the runner looking back towards the start and maybe wondering what they'd got themselves into or happy to be leaving civilisation behind and getting in touch with their wild side.

SNEAK PREVIEW! 'No Turning Back Now' Looking back to the start.

It was great to see many familiar faces in the event team, the photographers and then the runners as they registered on Sunday.

Then the fun started, way too early on Monday morning - Day 1 of the race. I saw the runners off at the start and then drove the campervan to Llyn Ogwen, from where I would climb and then photograph, sketch and paint if the weather allowed. The rain was heavy, everything soaked and the ground awash. Streams, rivers and waterfalls where there usually would be none.

It was a tough day for the mountain artist but an even tougher one for the runners. But we like tough don't we, that's what we signed up for. I joined them back at camp and worked on sketches and paintings and then planning for Day 2 of the race. A lot would depend on the weather again.

THE ART! I guess that's what I'm here for, rather than just enjoying being on the mountains again. So here's a little taster, sneak previews of work from today. I'll come up with titles as I reflect back on the days unless something springs to mind immediately.

Thanks for reading. Come back for my daily updates and previews of new paintings. These will all be added to the online gallery on my return, ready for ordering of prints and originals.

Enjoy the dot watching, mountain tops and crazy weather!

Elaine.