Parking at the top of the Gospel pass is easy in winter. Not so on a summer Saturday lunchtime. Fortunately I grabbed the last space and with a small pause to sort out kit I was off once more on a clockwise circuit.
Going underfoot was a little damp but the placed stones on Offas Dyke reduced the severity somewhat though the drop down to Capel y Ffin was far from present. The beauty of this walk though is the contrasts in views and the warm sun set the northern views off perfectly at the end of the day.
Showing posts with label BBNP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BBNP. Show all posts
Friday, 24 July 2009
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Trip Report : Garreg Las
Garreg Las and the trigpoint on Carreg yr Ogof make for an interesting yet problematic trip. The peak bagger will pass the trig by opting for the long walk in from the SE or the shorter but no less demanding crossing from the west.
There is however a third option.
Take the back roads to the church at Llanddeusant with its youth hostel and find a parking spot. The lane S from the church has one by the river bridge but its not good if very wet.
Continue up this road then track up onto the open hillside. Save this for a clear day as the going is not always the most obvious and the views east across the Carmarthen Fan make the day. Heading just west of south the trig point eventually appears then its onward over featureless ground to the twin cairns of Garreg las.
Its possible to continue from here but the way back is by no means direct from any of the other tops. Instead retrace your steps taking in the view to the north as you head back to your vehicle.
More photos from this trip
There is however a third option.
Take the back roads to the church at Llanddeusant with its youth hostel and find a parking spot. The lane S from the church has one by the river bridge but its not good if very wet.
Continue up this road then track up onto the open hillside. Save this for a clear day as the going is not always the most obvious and the views east across the Carmarthen Fan make the day. Heading just west of south the trig point eventually appears then its onward over featureless ground to the twin cairns of Garreg las.
Its possible to continue from here but the way back is by no means direct from any of the other tops. Instead retrace your steps taking in the view to the north as you head back to your vehicle.
More photos from this trip
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Trip Report: Corn Du and Pen y Fan
Having taken a break, had lunch in the car met up with a friend we repositioned our vehicles at Pont ar Daf in the toilet car park half a mile south of storey arms.
From here there is what only can be described as a motorway to the summit. A dead easy walk for even the most remote happy couch potato in summer the intermittent layers of ice and slippery rock means a degree of respect is required at this time of year.
The only decision to be made is which first Cord Du or the Pen. We opted for the former as we had no plans to descend via Tommy Jones Memorial today and a good choice it was too. The cloud stayed with us for the first top but as we toasted my 40th birthday with a glass of chilled pinot noir (grabbed a red not a white by mistake) a few breaks began to appear to both north and east and we were treated to the imposing vista of the photographs.
After a careful retrace to the first col the descent was down on the motorway to round off a thoroughly enjoyable day
All photos from 8th January
From here there is what only can be described as a motorway to the summit. A dead easy walk for even the most remote happy couch potato in summer the intermittent layers of ice and slippery rock means a degree of respect is required at this time of year.
The only decision to be made is which first Cord Du or the Pen. We opted for the former as we had no plans to descend via Tommy Jones Memorial today and a good choice it was too. The cloud stayed with us for the first top but as we toasted my 40th birthday with a glass of chilled pinot noir (grabbed a red not a white by mistake) a few breaks began to appear to both north and east and we were treated to the imposing vista of the photographs.
After a careful retrace to the first col the descent was down on the motorway to round off a thoroughly enjoyable day
All photos from 8th January
Trip report : Cerrig Gleisiad/Fan Frynach
I don't often make a habit of repeating walks within 6 months but I made an exception here all be it in reverse.
With 3 hours spare before meeting up for an afternoon walk I decided to spend the first half of my 40th birthday in the hills around the Cerrig Gleisiad reserve and what a choice it was too.
First up the frost and snow made for steady going up the ridge but it soon became apparent that not only was the cloud laying with a small temperature inversion and the sun was breaking though.
sure enough on the ridge sun and cloud interacted and nature gave me a moderate quality Brocken Spectre as a birthday present. The route itself was as easy as ever and remembering to take the left of the two diagonals off Frynach itself cut the corner down into the reserve. A lovely start to a great day out
Other photos from this walk
All todays photos on Flickr
With 3 hours spare before meeting up for an afternoon walk I decided to spend the first half of my 40th birthday in the hills around the Cerrig Gleisiad reserve and what a choice it was too.
First up the frost and snow made for steady going up the ridge but it soon became apparent that not only was the cloud laying with a small temperature inversion and the sun was breaking though.
sure enough on the ridge sun and cloud interacted and nature gave me a moderate quality Brocken Spectre as a birthday present. The route itself was as easy as ever and remembering to take the left of the two diagonals off Frynach itself cut the corner down into the reserve. A lovely start to a great day out
Other photos from this walk
All todays photos on Flickr
Trip Report: Y Gryn
Originally planned today as a stop on descent from the higher Beacons and instead opted for the quick out and back so as to avoid any ice on the rocks off the summit of Corn Du.
I've blogged about the route before so all that is left are the photos.
All todays photos on Flickr
I've blogged about the route before so all that is left are the photos.
All todays photos on Flickr
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