Trip Report: Gwastedyn from Rhayader

Looking east from the summit
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts

It had been a while since I have been out in the hills, work, weather and a series of small bugs have rather got in the way.

So with another cold stopping a trip onto the Drygarn I thought a short circuit of the hill overlooking town was a good bet for a couple of hours out.

Gwastedyn is to Rhayader as Skiddaw is to Keswick. Standing proud above town and within easy reach, so much so that the annual hill race is a feature of carnival week.

The walk from town is an easy circuit of about 1.5 hours if pushed 3 if lazed.

Head off down south street from the clock and keep on past he old toll booth (after first turning) residential home (2nd) and old workhouse no a nice hotel after the third. The path now becomes a roadside verge before turning off at the 2nd right of way sign on the corner.

A track leads up though the wood before bearing off to the left out onto the open hillside as your fence meets others coming up from the farm. The going is easy underfoot cut across the farmland for the next fence on the slope then curve around the headwaters of a small stream that drains the area below the summit.

Keep "climbing" to the ridge fence but don't cross it instead turn right over one more fence that climbs the hillside to the summit cairn and commemorative beacon basket.

The second summit lies a couple of hundred metres away over one good and one not so good fence and a little rough grazing / bracken. Despite this it is worth the visit as it opens up the southern vista far better that the beacon summit.

From there head back to the ridge fence and follow this and a footpath back to the minor road above Gaufron and follow this then the A44 back to Rhayader itself.

Walk past both houses I have owned in town back to the clock tower and your start point.

If you miss the path and drop too early don't panic so long as you are on the Rhayader side head for the track between Bryn Du and Esgair-rhiw and follow this via the latter back to the road taking care to use the gates on the way down


Views of Gwastedyn





Views from Gwastedyn

Trip report: Y Gyrn

Y Gyrn
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The final leg of the day hardly seems like a real walk more like a 40min stretch of the legs.

Directions couldn't be easier cross the stile keep walking on the track till just before it drops into the valley. Follow a muddy path to your left and keep going to the fence high point is about 50m from the stile.

Retrace get back in the car and move on.

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Trip Report: Fan Fawr

Fan Fawr Trigpoint
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Second of three brief walks today, having moved the car up to Storey Arms it really is a simple up out and back to get to Fan Fawr. The climb itself offers no real issues though care is needed in bad weather to make sure you don't miss the nondescript summit.

With time to spare I stretched my legs a bit to take in the trig point and the sun and cloud made it worth my while (see above).The final benefit are the two upland geocaches though at time of writing the one near the trigpoint is temporarily disable on account of my finding it doing a swimming pool impersonation.

More photos from today

Trip report : Fan Frynach

Towards Brecon
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Heading north on the A470 with a couple of hours to spare then why not take a break at the Cerrig Gleisiad nature reserve and wander within the Cwm or round its edge.

Plenty of options abound but with good clear sky and fluffy cloud I opted to walk into the cwm and pick up the moraine track before heading out just below the summit of Fan Frynach. Carrying on round the rim I took in Gleisiad and then headed back to the start on the steeper sE rim of the valley.

Highpoint of the day was a late dragonfly then it was on for an up and down of Fan Fawr


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Trip report: Waun Rhyd, Brecon Beacons

Waun Rhyd, Brecon Beacons
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The eastern end of the main Beacons chain offers up some of the most interesting walking. Away from the crowds of Storey Arms the views remain but in a more tranquil setting.

Two cars make the most of this area as like today you can park one at the lay-by on the Talybont reservoir (if unoccupied by the army, it was busy today) Then follow the well trod path up over Allt Llwyd. Pausing above the col Wayn Rhydd takes on a more dominant role than normal (see above) but is still and easy climb to the plateau. Care is needed at this point especially in mist but a direct line brings you to a summit that is little more than some scattered stones.

Pick up the track that skirts the northern edges and take in the equally unimpressive top of Bwylch y Ddywallt before heading SW then S to come out at the car park at Blaen y Glyn.

The reverse route saves 200m climb but the views are better for the extra effort.



more photos from walk

Trip Report : Camlo Hill

Rhiw Gwraidd from Camlo Hill
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

For drivers heading out on the A44 east of Rhayader Camlo hill is the ridge to the north of the main road at the head of the wide valley on that lovely long overtaking straight.

For the walker it is an easy circular from the back side thought the forestry above Abbeycwmhir. On this occasion it was a short day out with friends and our respective children.

Small bits of road walking break up a mix of open hillside and forestry paths. A pleasant afternoon walk with a mix of wide ranging views and the Abbey ruins to look at on the way back. And of course don't forget a pleasant pint in the Happy Union

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Trip Report: Arenig Fawr

Southern Ridge of Arenig Fawr
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The traditional route for the central Arenigs is from the north as access and parking are far more abundant. However finding myself starting in Bala I opted for the link road across the mountains to Trawsfynydd and a pair of southern loops.

A wet day and masses of water in the previous week is not the best agenda for this walk but having left the car at SH805335 and picking up the first of three Deweys at the 518 spot height it was a simple case of heading to the wet col and going out and back to Llyfnant before climbing the main ridge.

The cloud lifted at this point as I headed back south and cut across over thick heather to Moel Ymenyn and the final dDewey of Foel Boeth.

This last leg of up is far from easy firstly you need to head for the col NW of the final top taking care not to get into the green (and wet) stream valley that abuts the woodland. Then there is the case of reaching the top itself. Eschew the western approach for a strike from almost due south where a track is hidden about 10m into the forest and uses a natural cut in the landscape to bring you onto the summit area.

Returning to the car left the final challenge with water levels so high the innocent little Afon Erwent was in full flow forcing a half mile walk upstream until a fence crossed it that just held my weight.

A tiring day all told but rewarding none the less


Other photos from trip

Trip Report : Foel Goch, Arenig

Foel Goch, Arenig from Cwm Da
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Tucked away on its own above Bala this is one of the least frequented summits in Wales. Before CROW only one right of way offered a line of ascent but with open access its open game on how to get here.

Looking for a change I stopped further north than usual by the entrance to Coed y Bedw (this is more open than the usual stopping point as per Nutall and may be safer)

Curving round behind the farm and little knoll I dropped down to Cwm Da then climbed the rough ground up to the col between FG and Moel Darren. Usually a hard but dry bet in summer this was a boggy slog today and only the constant views kept things going. the going eases at the col but the trig point was still a welcome sign.

From here the path east (care on the electric fences) takes you first to Orddu then beneath Bryn Bras before collecting the track I left at the start.

All told a nice variation on the direct ascent up the wet path of Cwm Da but the next visit to this route will most definitely be done in reverse.


Other photos from this walk

Trip Report: Cader Berwyn

Upper Afon Lwrch from Mynydd Tarw
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

There is really only one walk in the Berwyns for the peak bagger. Leave llanrhaeadr and the waterfall to the coach parties and head east into the upper part of the Afon Lwrch valley. Parking for three to four cars can be found by the river near T'yn y Ffridd then its a simple direct climb up to the top of Mynydd Tarw.

Don't be tempted to rush this section though the climb is direct and steep and eases only in the final 50m once up though the fenceline and easy path lead you onward for the rest of the ridge.

Despite being August the ground is amazingly wet today more like the end of winter than summer and I am left feeling we are in for some bad flooding if there isn't a dry spell soon (edit prophetic words as the first autumn storm reacked havoc across mid Wales a few weeks alter).

With the cloud down there is nothing left but the wet slog over Bronwen, Berwyn and Moel Sych before the return on the ridge over Godor.

Only blessing on yet another cloudy day is the rain more or less held off

Trip report : Monaidh Laidh

Coire Ardair from Aberarder
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Overlooking Loch Laggan this combination of Munros and tops constitutes a grand day out over relatively easy going terrain once the summit ridge is reached.

Parking is offered by the reserve car park and the initial walk is over the friendly track into the Corrie. Keep to this until the track heads down to the river at the point clearly visible on the photo. Cross over and start on one of only two really hard climbs for the day. A series of zig zags allows you to reach the first of the four outlier tops from which it is a series of gentle loops to pick up the remaining three summits.

Track back on yourself from the last of the four then there is a steady climb up to the highest point in the range at 1130m. A breather at a simple cairn allows you to take in the remainder of the group before heading on to the vee in the ridge that would be the safe escape in bad weather or the way up for the Munro only ascent.

The continuation marks a series of steady ups and downs over easy terrain however on reaching the end at Coire Dubh you are left with a less pleasant choice.

A retrace to the final Munro of Carn Laith is not immediately attractive but having dropped down into the valley and negotiated the deer fence and overgrown tracks I have to admit it is possibly the best option.

A nice long walk worth saving for a good day and definitely the highlight of the trip

Trip Report: Mayar and Dreish

Corrie Fee, Angus, Scotland
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

After a very long day out yesterday I was looking for something a little more relaxed today. The very heavy overnight rain eased on the drive round from the hostel and by the time I reached the Glen Doll car park (£1.50) it was amazingly dry if cloudy.

the route itself follows forestry tracks signed to Corrie Fee passing several geocahes en route. On reaching the deer fence the corrie opens out before you with a stunning waterfall present after heavy rain.

The Track stays dominant climbing steadily on the left side of the falls before angling further left onto the fell side. a steady climb then brings you out on the summit.

The forward route is now a clearly visible path although the final climb to the trig is tricky in thick mist as it lacks a cairns as it heads across the mountain face towards Dreish and its trigpoint

A return to the last coll allows a cut across to the route down over tracks and forest drives almost directly to the cars.

A lovely shorter day (5 hours including looking for 7 caches) but if you can one to save for a dry day after heavy rain to get the corrie at its best


Additional Images

Trip Report: East of the Devils Elbow

Glas Maol
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The area around Glenshee offers some of the fastest number crunching for the Munro bagger. West of the road the Cairnwell group is little more than an afternoon stroll but the real value comes to the east.

With a second driver it is possible to leave the road from the layby about 1 mile south of the ski centre and pick up a route that takes you though an open river valley onto a broad ridge then onto a plateau and finally a Pennine style hack over largely untracked ground to pick up a grand total of 6 Munros in a day.

As already suggested it is a day of contrasts. The initial climb is steady although picking a good route out from the river onto the ridge is vital to save effort. The crossing over Creag Leacach to Glas Maol is then reminiscent of the northern Carneddau and at this point it is always possible to head off west back down to the southern end of the ski centre car parking. Instead keep onward via the remnant snow patches to one more Munro on a distinct ridge path then two over open wet ground with reasonable tracks before returning from Tolmount for a final climb to Carn na Tuirc.

Care is needed here especially in mist as the tracks are indistinct and a direct bearing takes you over a steep slope with hidden crags. Instead head south four about 250m before striking out for the final summit.

Leaving the last top head North into the v of the stream shown on the 25k mapping before picking up a welcoming track back to the road


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Trip Report: Mulloch Hill, St Johns Town of Dalry

Mulloch Hill panorama
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

It is quite common for me to make a short sprint up a roadside hump to a trigpoint but very rare I blog about them. Mulloch hill is however worth the effort.

Located just SE of the grandly named St Johns town of Dalry on the main road between Castle Douglas and Ayr this makes for a nice half hour break.

Parking is provided in a large lay by and a marked "core path" leads up the hill and thought the trees to within 200m of the summit. The final climb just after a stile is via a bracken slope but you cant win them all.

But why come here simply for the view you have an ever changing 360 degree view of the surrounding Southern upland terrain. Put simply a great way to break a long drive

Trip Report : Carmarthen Fan

Llyn y Fan Fach, Brecon Beacons NP
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

It hard to believe that so close to Swansea the terrain can get so remote but a trip into the Carmarthen Fan from the Tawe Valley is just that remote.
I parked up at the church just south of Tafarn y Garreg on the main Sennybridge-Ystradgynlais road and then headed a little way south to pick up the footpath and bridleway into the heart of the Fan.

Three short diversions over the local Dewey tops around Tynwalter broke up he monotony and in themselves would have made a nice short trip for a family (if so do TW first then S-N on the other two easier climbing). Then it was just a case of following the variable visibility path into the valley below Garreg Las.

From here the character changes the out and back to the cairn is a prelude to the main scarp walk most of which is in the photo. For first timers I would say keep to the edge all the way the views are great and the paths clear, however for me the final climb to "Brycheniogs Trig" was on the newer direct line that is now far more visible than when I first climbed it over 15 years ago.

The descent to the car is over Fan Hir and down its largely easy ridge though car on the knees is required in the very final stages.

All told a long remote and rough day best in sun or with a reliable GPS/ compass in low cloud


More photos from the walk here http://www.flickr.com/photos/22109627@N03/archives/date-taken/2008/06/13/

Trip Report: Waun Fach Circular

Waun Fach, Black mountains
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

There are few ranges in Wales that I have seen in so many different conditions. Today was no exception.
For once the sun was out although three days of heavy rain made the first half of the walk hard going, but I get ahead of myself.

There are many start points for this route but the Nutall option is one I prefer assuming there is enough parking space. A 10m min walk on the roads leads to a forest path now nicely widened and smoothed for the farmer. Care is needed else you miss the footpath sign and end up in the yard of a second home (watch the field gate its support is rotten).

From here its follow the track to the ridge and keep walking . The first half is boggy in the extreme and capped by the wade acroos the the trig point base on Fach. Then its a steady change of geology and dryness as we move round onto the western loop.

Descending from the final trig is problematic. A direct line to the car is possible but tough on the knees and even worse on the ankles once the bracken is up. Instead head towards table mountain before cutting the final corner to reach the footpath back round the hillside. Keep on this until after the small copse where a permissive path crosses one road before dropping you out 20m from where you left the car.

Trip report: Ysgafell Wen

Across Llyn Coch to Cnicht, Moelwyns, North Wales
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The group of hills north of the Crimea Pass have always struck me as a bit of a Curates Egg. Easy walking between the tops but a messy boggy circular to get back to the start if you take the Nutall route.

So for a change I tried something a little different. The Crimea Pass layby was still closed but a bit of the old road forms a new parking place about 200m west of the crest at the start of the track leading towards Llyn Iwerddon. The initial incline is gentle and provides a nice warming up before the climb to the right of the stream up to the lake, pass over the dam and round the left side to gain the standard route across the tops to Ysgafell Wen.

The headwaters of the Ledr is the usual return but instead I retraced a couple of tops keeping away from the fence for a while thenturned Druman to the west and south and cut across the face of Allton the north side. Short on time I returned the way I cam at this point however a continuation of the redge is as possible and makes a nice and far less strength sapping figure of eight.

Trip Report : From the ponderosa

Moel-Y-Faun Quarry
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The last few weeks have been a bit thin on the ground for hill walking as preparing a new house (major renovation) has taken priority. However I cant let this short walk from the Ponderosa Cafe to the Trig point and masts go without note.

There is very little to it really just walk up on the track and return the way you came. That said the views of Worlds end, and the Clwydians make it worth the short 1h walk from the cafe car park

Trip report :between Clarch and Aberystwyth

Clarach Bay, Ceredigion
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

A trip with some friends gave me a chance to revisit my student haunts, sadly the tide meant the one mile run from town to Clarach was not on the agenda but instead a loop around the headland initially inland on the slope side paths then over the top of the golf course before cutting around the top of town and back over Constitution hill makes for a very pleasant afternoon stroll. Throw in a few geocaches and an ice cream on the top and the children were happy too

Trip Report : Eastern Arans

Aran ridge Panorama
Pete Roberts

There is much that can be said in the negative about the hills that fall to the east of the main Aran Ridge but one view and one photo should be enough to tell you why they are a must do for a clear day.

Nowhere outside of central snowdonia does one ridge so dominate the day yet still leave scope to see other ranges or stunning valleys around and about.

The problem is the walk itself. No matter what you do for a circular at some point you need to bite the bullet of the Bwlch y Groes road and at others you have to face 3km of soft spongy peat.

Today I got the peat out the way first with cloud forecast I opted for the top of the pass expecting a wet slog back up. leaving the car park and keeping mainly to the right of the fence it is a long wet walk to the firt peat hag top. The views keep you going however and on reaching the summit the main Aran ridge lies before you. Turning right the track is immediately visible and much drier to the col. Keep on up the slope before cutting across the face of Esgeirion aiming for the top of AfonTwrch where a visible drainage cut runs across the face of Foel Rhudd follow this up to the fence if the weather is bad otherwise cut up on any one of the other smaller ditch lines to the summit.

Take in the northern view here before a simple following of the fence to the peaty top of Esgeiriau Gwynion.

Now the hard work begins a steep descent to the col and a steeper climb to Foel Hafod Fynydd provide a close up of the main ridge and a welcome breather and ideal late lunch stop.

Care is then required by all means follow the ridge and fence due east to the river but its a stiff 40m climb back to the track or steep descent and wider crossing further down. Far better to cut north about 200m down from the fence split on easy ground to a white walled abandoned sheep pen near the point the three northern rivers meet.

From there it is back along the track taking in the ever changing view to the road and the long steady climb to Bwlch y Groes. The tired can now return on the road to the start point but if you still have some energy left the final top of Moel y Cerrig Duon beckons along with its distant vista of Lake Vyrnwy.

Not a day for the wet but great on a clear day like today

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Trip Report : Garreg Llwyd

pdr_20080324_2790
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts

This lovely little outlier of the national park is usually a quick dash from the car on the way home from Swansea or Carmarthen. But with a mixed forecast and my younger son wanting to go out geocaching I thought I'd make a bit more of it today.

Starting at the southern of the two main car parks I made straight up though the quary to the summit. Cloud was down but visibility ok at about 300m so no problems and on the summit it rose to give a decent view with the cairn offering some nice shelter for a bit to eat.

Then off almost due west for the first geocache near the roada bout 500m south of the car park then straight over and up to the "dewey" summit of Carn Pen-rhiw-ddu. Another easy walk but the top itself is a disappointment. The high point is marked with a scattering of stones with a more interesting cairn about 300m to the NE.

The views to the north are good value for the climb however then it was straight off the scarp and down to the second cache of the day just above the hairpin and back along the main road past a marker for a 19th century road accident and back to the car.

A nice stress free 3 miles with about 750ft on the up

More of todays photos

Trip Report: Fforest Fawr

Fan Nedd from Fan Llia
(C)Pete Roberts Pete Roberts

There can be few more remote walks in South Wales than crossing the Cnwer Estate on foot. Even reaching the start point in the Forestry at Blaen Llia involves several twisty miles on virtually single track roads.

Of course things are not as bad as they used to be, open access has cut the milage by a chunk and realistic circulars even in winter are now possible.

As normal for me I tackles the four tops anticlockwise. there is something about the watershed crossing that makes it far more pleasant after the first not the third climb of the day.

Equally common was the weather with cloud hovering around all morning then descending rapidly to make for a cold wet afternoon. One of those days just to put your head down and get going.

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Trip Report : Northern Carneddau

(22-02-08)
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Putting together a visit to these hills is always a challenge in a day especially in Winter so the prospect of a conference in Llandudno was not to be missed out on.

The forecast was shaping up spot on as the weather cleared on the drive north but I had forgotten what 40mph in wind really means. Parking at the roadhead car park, I know Nutall suggests pull ins on the way up but they really passing spaces without the sign, I opted for Tal y fan first and a clockwise circuit from there this is a good choice especially if you follow the stream up that takes you onto Penygadair and direct to Pen y Castell as it saves a real road slog back to the car.

With the wind picking up Foel fras and Llwytmor were discarded and boy was I glad of it as I was pinned to the fence on numerous occasions as I walked off Drum to the pass.

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Trip report : Away in the Hirnants

(16-02-08)
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

There is something about the Hirnants that can bring out the worst in you. Its really a no mans land between the Berwyns and the Aran ridges that struggles to peek over the 200ft level.

Its saving grace is a road that splits it in two and a forestry track that turns 8km of heather each way into something far more palatable.

Today however was a great day for the walk cold but no wind and the kind of hazy view that is the curse of the photographer in the hills but actually gives better results when looked at on screen at home. As normal I opted for the clockwise loop. I prefer a steep descent of Foel Goch not a slog climb up.

Not the greatest of walks better in the heather season but for a long stretch out after a frustratingly wet few months it was a great day

Trip Report : Cader Idris

There is something about Cader that has the old friend about it. Possibly the fact that I only have a July visit left to see its trig point in every month of the year has something to do with it but today was not one of its crowning moments. The week long forecast for today being the best of the weekend broke on Sun evening and the high level cloud though "dry" was not clever and the wind was biting.

The loop from Minffordd is the obvious choice if taking in all 5 tops with only one driver and the and the stiff climb up though the woods is a great way to start the day. The path is easy and visible once you leave the trees behind but care is needed as you approach the large rock short of Llyn Cau else you miss the track up onto the ridge.

Path repair is ongoing with focus currently about 500m from joining the ridge as it steepens, its expected to take a while I think give the wooden hut that has appeared complete with tools and benches for the staff.

Diving off for one of 6 Geocaches immediately on the route the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch is the first stop. Onward again and after the col bear off at the fourth cairn to traverse under the main summit for Cyfrwy and another cache. A retrace and its on to the main summit and across it via 3 caches to Mynydd Moel.

Care is required in mist on leaving here initially to avoid walking off a cliff then a little later to ensure you don't cut into a valley instead of reaching the ridge to Gau Graig the final summit. remember as you approach to cross over the stile onto the right of the fence to get firmer ground.

Descent is easily off the end and round or the steeper right turn and aim direct. Either way you hit the road and the final cache before diving off on an old alignment back to the car

Photos

Geotagging Photos

If like me you use Flickr you might have tried geotagging your photos. While this is easy in urban areas with clear buildings or monuments the same is not true of the uplands with most of GB covered only at satellite level.

However if you also use a GPS and keep a tracklog there is another alternative. Sanoodi, offers a free service aimed at runners and walkers interested in sharing GPS tracks as a logbook. The site is interesting in itself however it is the interaction with Flickr that caught my eye when it showed up as a referrer for one of my photo.

It works in two ways first it pulls in any public geotagged photo in the vicinity of your route but second and more important it allows you to take a GPX file upload it to the site then match the EXIF data from a Flickr set and locate where your photo was taken.

Its not perfect you need to approximately locate the first photo but a snap of your gps after it locks on as a working photo does the trick nicely. The main downside is a formulaic comment on the photo page linking back to the walk. It also only reads data from an uploaded Active track on Garmins save the track and the required data is lost.

It does however take alot of guesswork out of locating those remote photos

Returning to the Radnor Forest

There is something about this simple circuit above New Radnor that keeps pulling me back. 20 minutes from home and a 3.5 hour round trip makes for an easy half day and its no surprise that it was the first set of hills that I have climbed in every month of the year.



Sunday was no different a simple walk past a local resident spray jetting the mud off the track up to his house, catching a mixed age group (youngest in a carrier eldest past retirement) and a steady open walk all the way.



Cloud could have stayed away but at least it was high. A nice simple start to the new year

Todays Photos on Flickr