0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:07 > 0:00:12- Ioan Doyle from Bethesda is one - of Wales's best young climbers.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17- After leaving school, instead - of climbing professionally...
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- ..he chose a different route, - sheep farming on the Carneddau.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- It feels like a path to me.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- I'm in charge - of this path in my life.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- His climbing suffered - because of the farming.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- I have a lot more to lose.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- Now, Ioan and girlfriend Helen...
0:00:38 > 0:00:43- ..have eleven acres - of rented land and fifty sheep.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- We have a farm really, don't we?
0:00:45 > 0:00:46- We have a farm really, don't we?- - Yes.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Business and work - take up all his time.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- Opportunities to climb are rare.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54- Things went from bad to worse.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- Things went from bad to worse.- - I've broken my hand.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- Will he be able - to carry on farming...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- ..and reach the heights - of the climbing world once more?
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- He's still got it.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- The Carneddau are Wales's - largest upland area.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- There are six mountains - over 3,000 feet.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- It is also home - to thousands of mountain sheep.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- SHEEP BLEAT
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- Every July, the Carneddau - farmers work together...
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- ..and drive the sheep down - to be sheared.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- For the mountain farmers...
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- ..it's one of the busiest - and most sociable times of the year.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20- Today, they're driving sheep - down to Wig Farm in Abergwyngregyn.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- Ioan's hand is getting better.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- It's a vital time - for him to earn money.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- SHEARING MACHINES BUZZ
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- It was still painful - during the first few weeks.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42- You have to push quite hard - with the first sheep of the season.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- I really enjoy shearing.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Many say it's the toughest - and the worst job in farming.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- But I enjoy shearing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- You go to a different - place every day.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- If anything, it's one - of the jobs most like climbing.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- It's very important for me - to push myself as hard as I can.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Shearing is one of those jobs.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- It makes you feel good.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- It makes you feel tough.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- Shearing is the most difficult job.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- You're a tough man if you can - shear a lot in one day.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- Eilir Williams organizes - work for the crew.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- They go from farm to farm.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- You go from one place to another. - It's difficult to stop.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- I should let - the young shearers get on.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- They have to learn the system first, - then they can do it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- Ben Moody and Arwyn Griffiths - work with Ioan.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- The season is going quite well.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- The weather has been - good this year.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- The first week is the toughest.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- Then it gets better.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Five of us shear.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- There are about 500 sheep.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- We'll do about 100 each.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- It's done quite quickly.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- They get 1 for each sheep.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- The lads compete to see - who can shear the most.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- They do it just for the money.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- But I forget about that. - I just want to beat them.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I was never fast!
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- You feel yourself getting fitter - as the season goes on.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- You push your body every day.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- It's painful. - My back aches, everything aches.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- When you wake up, you feel rough.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- But you keep going. - It feels nice to be in a team.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- LAUGHTER
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- Ioan lives in one - of the Carneddau's parishes.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- So he is entitled to graze - his sheep on the mountain.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- It's a centuries old tradition...
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- ..that each farmer has his own tract - of mountain to graze sheep.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- But Ioan is starting out.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Today is the day - for driving down the sheep...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- ..from Braich Yr Elen, - above Bethesda.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Ioan and Helen are helping.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- This is where they'd like - their sheep to graze.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- Ioan's sheep and lambs have - never been on this mountain.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52- Get round!
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Here, Jess!
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- The sheep were born and grew up - on the lower pastures.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- They will have to get - to know their territory.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- It isn't easy.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- I'm afraid of turning them out - on the mountain and losing them.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- I have to teach them - what their territory is.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- They could end up in Nant Conwy - and spread all over the place.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25- It'd break my heart if I let them - on the mountain and lost them.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Ioan's friend Dafydd Em - foresaw the problem.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36- As a surprise, he bought Ioan - a few sheep from this territory.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39- WHISTLES
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- SHEEP BLEAT
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- SHOUTING, WHISTLING AND BLEATING
0:06:51 > 0:06:52- They're used to it.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- They've been going up three or four - times a year, for a few years.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- They know their territory.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- Hopefully, Ioan's sheep will stick - with ours and stay in the area.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06- That's what should happen.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- So will Ioan's new - sheep stick with these?
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- Yes. There's a roll-on effect.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- Nice, Dafydd!
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- I don't know if they're here.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19- Oh!
0:07:20 > 0:07:21- Oh, Dafydd!
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- No sign of ours yet. I hope - they're hiding in the last lot.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- The other farmers in this area - sort out their own sheep.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- But there is no sign - of Ioan and Helen's sheep.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- I'm a bit disappointed - that they haven't turned up.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- There's a chance they went that way.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- There's a chance they went that way.- - Have you finished?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- I thought you'd finished.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- Either to Tyddyn Du, - or across the river.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- They might have gone to Cwm Eigiau.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- Someone might call to say where they - are and I'll have to pick them up.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- They could be anywhere - from here to Conwy.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- I shouldn't think they'd be far.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Amid Ioan's worries, a friend - from Ireland, John McCune...
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- ..has come to climb on the Gogarth - sea cliffs, South Stack, Anglesey.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Some of these climbs - are world famous.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45- But interest in climbing - sea cliffs is new in Ireland.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- John has a secret - to share with Ioan.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- People hadn't been there for ages. - We went to check these huge cliffs.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56- Look at these rocks.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- Hidden on a small, remote isle - on the Donegal coast...
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- ..John has discovered one of - the British Isles' best sea cliffs.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- Best-looking wall - I've seen in a long time.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- Early in summer, - when Ioan was busy shearing...
0:09:13 > 0:09:18- ..John and his partner were the - first to climb this amazing cliff.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- They named it the Holy Jesus Wall.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- It'd be good if someone - like Ioan could come over.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- It'd be good to see someone - who has climbed hard E7s...
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- ..and see what he thinks - of the routes.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- I'm not sure what grades they are.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- It'd be great - to have somebody let me know...
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- ..either downgrade them - or confirm them.
0:09:41 > 0:09:47- My first thought, looking at the - pictures is "Wow, that's a big wall.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- "I want a go on it."
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- But another thought - casts a cloud over the first one.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Can I do it?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- That's a slight worry for me.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- Ioan hasn't climbed - since injuring his hand.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- If he wants to go to Ireland, - he has to resume climbing.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24- This is Dinas Cromlech - in Llanberis Pass, an E2 climb.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- When I broke my hand...
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- ..my first thought was...
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- "..I can't climb."
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- It was an automatic reaction.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Then I thought, maybe I can't shear.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- It's still in me. It's very strong.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Working and farming is safe.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- You know what to expect.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Your head and body - get used to the routine.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- You go to a farm, - shear, and that's it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- But climbing changes all the time.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- The hardest thing - is to get back to the system...
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- ..of not knowing what to expect.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- As I grow older...
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- ..going from a place where I feel - safe, to a dangerous place...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- ..is getting a lot harder.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- Before, I didn't think about danger - the way I think about it now.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- I have a lot more on my mind.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- I used to be focused.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- There were no distractions.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- I just thought about the moment.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- I have more things - to think about now.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- I find it difficult to switch off...
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- ..and concentrate - on what needs doing.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- There are so many things - going round in my head.
0:12:09 > 0:12:09- .
0:12:13 > 0:12:13- Subtitles
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:15 > 0:12:16- IOAN WHISTLES
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- IOAN WHISTLES- - Mowgli, damn you!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Stay there! Mowgli! Lie down.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24- Oh, dear.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- A lot of shouting goes on - when we're gathering.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- These are all our lambs, - almost ready to go.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- This is the produce of Helen and - Ioan's first year of real farming.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- It's time to sort out the lambs...
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- ..and decide - which ones will go to slaughter.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- We've had the go-ahead - to sell boxed lamb.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- We also need to tag them...
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- ..for when they're ready to go.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- It's not going well!
0:13:08 > 0:13:09- Helen, come here!
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- I feel OK about seeing - them go to slaughter.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- We're doing them justice - with the Loved Lamb thing.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- The lambs are without - their mothers for the first time.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- It's an important moment - for the Loved Lamb business.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- The journey from - gate to plate has begun.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- I literally could tell you - every one...
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- ..which mother they've come from, - and the order they were born.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- The big fat one in the front...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- ..she was the one - that we had to lamb.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- The two twins that died, - we skinned the biggest one...
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- ..and fostered it on - to the sheep that had lost them.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56- Just put them in, one by one?
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- Just put them in, one by one?- - They won't walk then.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00- Is that an ewe?
0:14:01 > 0:14:02- What are you doing?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- I have to cut the horn. - It's growing into its head.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07- Hello.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- It's OK.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- What about the Texels?
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Yes, ideal for the box.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- So we have a grand total of - 15 lambs going for slaughter...
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- ..and sixteen to keep.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- It's not bad.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- The lost sheep were found - after several anxious days.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- They'd made their way back - to Bryn Eithin, their old home...
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- ..Dafydd Em's uncle's farm.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- We're shearing our first lot of - sheep that were on the mountain.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- I'm so glad we've got them back.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- When there's 3,000 sheep on a hill, - it seems like a pretty slim chance.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- Yeah, the first year of many, - hopefully.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- These sheep will lead - this year's lambs to the mountain.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- It's a new territory for Ioan - and Helen's flock on the Carneddau.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- We're in the process - of taking orders.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- We're doing it through Facebook.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- It's a free website.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Three or four lambs...
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- ..have been booked.
0:15:42 > 0:15:48- That doesn't mean three or four - lambs, it's four or six orders.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- We sell - quarter, half and whole lambs.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- We want enough orders - for five lambs.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- They're entering a world - that has seen better days.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- The coming years are crucial - for agriculture in the area.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- I hope small farms keep going. - It's not looking good.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- One of the last farms - to shear on the Carneddau...
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- ..is Tal Y Llyn, Elfed Jackson's - farm, near Llyn Ogwen.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- I'm happy so many lads came to help. - This is what we do in the valley.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36- We help out on each other's farms.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- They are gathering and shearing - for me today.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- I helped them for a fortnight. - The old tradition is still alive.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- We are a strong generation in - the mountains. I see us surviving.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- It's important to keep - an open mind to new ideas...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- ..and to be flexible.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- It's hard for many of them. - It's their way of life.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Who wanted a lamb?
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- We'll keep - the sheep on the mountain...
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- ..to improve - the quality of the meat.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Nothing beats mountain reared lamb.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- We have to be flexible...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..and different.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- It'll be hard.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Elfed is a champion blade shearer.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38- He's pleased that Ioan is - taking an interest in the old craft.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- I bought this gadget in New Zealand.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- It keeps the steel level.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53- It sharpens it.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- I'd say that's enough.
0:18:01 > 0:18:02- OK.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- There's no noise now.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- The wool is heavy.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- It pulls on the skin, and there's - a danger of cutting the skin.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- I don't want to do that.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- I started when I was twelve.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- I showed an interest, and that - was it. I never looked back.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- I'm keeping an old craft alive.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- It's quite rare nowadays.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43- We encourage - the youngsters to do it.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- That's it.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Try that.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- That's it.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- Always keep your thumb down.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- If it's on the blade, - your thumb would come off.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- Keep it like that.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- Down and that way now.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Well done. Keep going.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Be careful round the eye and ear.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Stop there.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31- There.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- I hope to see Ioan competing - in the Royal Welsh next year.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- He'll be fine after more practise. - Well done. Very neat.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Very neat.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- By the end of the shearing season...
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- ..they will have sheared - 5,000 sheep each.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- I'll be glad to finish. - I've seen enough sheep for now!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- I clean up, as you see.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- I tidy up after the lads!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- That's the job done for today. - Well done.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- I'm glad the season is over. - I'm shattered.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- I haven't had time to do anything...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..except shear, sleep and eat.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47- As preparation for Ireland, - I've chosen to climb solo.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- The climb I want to do - is Electric Blue in Rhoscolyn.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- Solo climbing - is climbing without a rope.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- It's very dangerous, - but yet very safe.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14- When you're at the bottom, you can't - tell yourself, "You can't do it".
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- You can do it.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- That's what you have - to say to yourself.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- If there is any uncertainty, - there's no point starting.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- There is no gear.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- There is no rope, - and nothing in the way.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- Just you, your climbing boots, - chalk and nothing else.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Once I've started...
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- ..and I get into - the climbing rhythm...
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- ..it's a great feeling.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- I never think - of anything bad happening.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- It is a dangerous situation...
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- ..but it doesn't cross my mind.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- If I started to dwell on it, - that's when I'd make a mistake.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- When I'm high up...
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- ..doing difficult moves, - something takes over me.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- I feel so light...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- ..as if I'm flying...
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- ..and there's a cloud - round me to keep me safe.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- It's one of the best feelings - you can have...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- ..in any form of climbing.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:24 > 0:23:24- .