Trip report: Cefn yr Ystrad

Waun Rhydd from near Cefn yr Ystrad summit
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Cefn yr Ystrad is the sore thumb of the beacons, set well to the south of the main ridge it is a neglected mix of rough moorland grazing and quarrying. There are easy walks in from the East using quarry roads but the more interesting route is up from Ponsticill to the SW of the summit.

Parking is possible near the treatment works then an easy track climbs up underneath the Brecon Mountain Railway. Then by way of a series of tracks you can make your way to the summit. I say can advisedly as it is easy to stray to one side and leave yourself with lots of work to do. For the geocachers there are a couple of chaes to have fun with en route.

From the summit the view is worth the climb so make sure its a good day.

From the trigpoint you are pretty much retracing steps but a faint path is soon visible it you head just off a northerly line



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Trip Report : Garreg Las

Mynydd Ddu Ridge
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

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.



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Trip report: Fan Fawr

Fan Fawr
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

On a dry summers day with no wind Fan Fawr is a stiff but easy 40 minutes from the Storey Arms car park. Add in the remnants of the winters heaviest fall of snow and you can allow another half hour and a good use of crampons especially in descent.

None the less the walk remains simple and a great break on the way home from a meeting in Cardiff.






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Trip Report: Corn Du and Pen y Fan

pdr_20090108_5852
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

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

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 : 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/