UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Moel Sych (827m), Cadair Berwyn (South Top) (830m), Cadair Berwyn 827m), Cadair Bronwen (784m), Pen-y-bryn (700m), Tomle (741m), Foel Wen (690m), Foel Wen (South Top) (687m), Mynydd Tarw (681m), Godor (679m), Godor North Top (675m), Moel yr Ewig (695m)

Total Distance : 25km, Total Ascent : 1,327m

We got off to an early start from the campsite and were walking by 9am. The car park was very close to Pistyll Waterfall which we were reliably informed is the highest waterfall in Wales.

Walking up we decided the detour was too far so pushed on up towards Moel Sych, our first peak of the day, and at 827m, didn't scare us! Actually for such a small mountain, it defended itself well and had us panting early, coupled with one or two 'photo stops', we began to respect it. A false summit leads eventually to the main peak and we were pleased to be there.

The weather was hot, very hot, so the breeze on the ridge was most welcome. Pausing for drinks and to admire the views, we eventually set off in the direction of the main summit of Cadair Berwyn via the South Top. Cadair Berwyn is actually the same height as Sych, but of course, like any self respecting mountain, has drops on all sides, although strangely, not much in the direction we were approaching so we summited wondering what all the fuss was about. Three peaks bagged and it was off to Cadair Bronwen at 770m somewhat lower, although this time, we did have to drop a lot lower before climbing back up again, so felt like we were really climbing something.

Pen y Bryn at 700m required a drop down but not much of a climb back up again and not having anything of note, we soon left to retrace our steps back up to Bronwen. Looking across to Tomle, we hoped to spy a short cut, but other than a direct walk through tough undergrowth, back to the summit was probably the best option.

We did manage to avoid any further climb and found ourselves on the top of Tomle relatively quickly. It was now along the ridge to take in three more peaks, Foel Wen came quite quickly, as did the South Top but it was a very long slog to Mynydd Tarw and just as I was beginning to think somehow we'd missed it (virtually impossible) the summit appeared complete with a shelter so, as it was just after 1pm, lunch was declared.

Sooner or later of course, we had to leave and so we packed up and headed off, downhill thankfully, or was it by design? Either way, we made our way down to the valley that separated us from the final range of peaks. On the way, we noticed a huge field of thistles, presumably being grown for export to Scotland.

Finally at the bottom, we crossed the road and started back up again, but not before I replenished my bladder from the stream - lovely cold fresh water.

Heading up was steep at first, then relented for a while, then not too steep, but it became a real slog and considering it was the lowest of the peaks we would bag today, seemed like the hardest! We were both very relieved to crest the summit, not that it was worth it, not even a group of stones to mark the summit of Godor.

Two final peaks remained, the first of which was dispatched with ease, but on our way to the second, we spotted a sheep stuck in a muddy pool. Chris went to investigate and promptly fell in up to his waist in horrid muddy water! We decided we could not let this poor creature die, so effected a rescue that succeeded but we both ended up filthy so had to go and wash in a nearby pool. Oh yes, by way of thanks, the sheep got my walking poles and rucsac filthy as well!

Off to the final peak, we then started down towards the lake below Moel Sych and a good path that would take us back to the car, or so we thought. It bought us tantalisingly close, but then it was obvious it was not going to drop in time. We spied a small track doubling back that looked promising but clearly it was a winter path as it was overgrown with ferns. Finally we made it down and onto the proper path and back to the car, some eight hours after leaving it.

Tired but happy with our day, hot and sweaty, we were pleased to be finished.

Peaks climbed : Pen y Boncyn Trefeilw (646m), Stac Rhos (630m), Y Groes Fagl (659m)

Total Distance : 20km, Total Ascent : 604m

Unfortunately we got off to a late start due to problems locating our walking buddies, lack of phone signal and searches contributed to the lateness of the start; 10:30am, but eventually met up with them on the slopes of Pen y-Cerrig Duon, when phones started working again! It is an impressive and tough climb which unfortunately didn't actually count as it is part of Pen y Boncyn Trefeilw. Not deterred as we had to gain the height anyway, we followed a good track around and a quick detour bagged the first peak, something of a disappointment compared to the ridge we had just climbed. It was already hot, and with little breeze, we were overheating rapidly - who would have thought that complaints would be made about Wales being too hot!

Returning to the main trail and we soon arrived at the jumping off point for the second peak; Stac Rhos, equally unimpressive but it counts. Back on the trail we decided to give Cefn Gwyntog a miss as it was some distance off the trail and through tough heather. Continuing round, we bagged Y Groes Fagl along a good, but thin track and noticed the track continuing towards Sian Llwd but had promised our walking buddies that we would go through the forest to get out of the blazing heat of the day for a while, so back to the track and down into the forest where we stopped for lunch in the shade.

After lunch we followed the trails through the forest, in and out of shade as we went, eventually arriving at a clearing where we could see Llwd. It was 2:45pm. We realised we had no chance of reaching the peak and back to the cars and off to meet friends by 5pm, so abandoned and set about returning to the car park.

More trail walking, but mostly downhill eventually bought us to the road. Turn left and up to the car which we thought was a mile but turned out to be about two along the road! A few minutes before the final rise to the car park, we crossed a stream. I couldn't resist so dropped my pack and went down for a cooling wash and drink. Suitably fortified, the final uphill was soon dispatched and we had finished.

Peaks climbed : Foel Cwm-Sian Llwd (648m)

Total Distance : 5km, Total Ascent : 194m

I'd made a plan to climb the final peak from yesterday but from the opposite side as it was closer and saved retracing steps. I'd also planned to pop over and bag the peak we missed thereby rounding out that group.

I parked on the B4391 near a bend in the road, then walked back to find the trail to the summit that was mentioned in the Nuttall book. Locating it, I realised that I could have parked much closer. Ho hum, at least it meant I had an 'easing in' rather than directly up as in previous days.

Locating the path, I set off. It started well, but of course, in this region, soon deteriorated into nothing and I was forced to make my own trail through the heather which, given that the temperature was over 30 degrees and no breeze at all, was really tough going and I stopped many times to catch my breath. Finally I crested the summit and saw the Trig Point 20 metres ahead - yes, you have to get that close!

Pausing for a rest and to admire the views, I planned my next section. An identifiable path went in the right direction and I figured I could get over to the other peak, so set off. Again, the path deteriorated to nothing and I found myself floundering in the heather. Deciding to abandon due to the heat, tiredness and general lethargy I spotted a crossing path so joined that for a while, but unfortunately it turned in the wrong direction so I was forced back into the heather all the way down to the car.

My watch told me I'd been out for an hour and forty minutes and covered just 5km! I was exhausted, so made the executive decision to call it quits for the day. Only one peak bagged, but it bought my weekend total to 16 so was happy with that.

Peaks climbed : Moel Fferna(630m), Pen Bwlch Llandrillo Top(621m), Moel yr Henfaes(584m)

Total Distance : 20.5km, Total Ascent : 724m

It was an early start today as my plan was, to say the least, optimistic. I left home around 6:30 for the three hour drive to an unpronounceable Welsh village called Cynwyd! Parking was non-existent in the village itself, so I started back out the way I had come and spotted a lay by just at the edge of the village.

I geared up quickly and headed off. It was dull and overcast, but thankfully no rain (yet).

Back into the village and left up a narrow road which went on for about a mile, steadily upwards. Eventually the North Berwyn Way broke off to the left which I followed, and would do right to my first summit. It was a very pleasant walk across open fields and through some very nice forest, until finally emerging into open countryside.

Navigation was straightforward, simply follow the path until it reaches a fence, then left and up to another path, left again to the summit. By now it was raining so I donned my jacket and leggings, even though I was wearing my (so called) waterproof Rohan trousers - sorry Rohan, they aren't!

The final section to the summit was pretty horrid, with mud and bog everywhere but I finally made it to the man-made shelters that signified the summit. It was my 200th summit; Moel Fferna (630m). The rain was horizontal so I decided against stopping and headed off to retrace my path down. Unfortunately I had remembered wrongly and overshot the turning, not checking for about 10 minutes I was annoyed to discover the error and had no choice but to retrace my steps back to the stile. Luckily I'd not lost much time and was soon back on track.

The next summit is a very long slog, with the path deteriorating all the time. At one point it passed a small copse of trees and I took the opportunity of a stop since the trees were blocking the wind and horizontal rain. Soon enough I was off again and eventually I reached the second summit of the day; Pen Bwlch Llandrillo Top (621m). Again, nothing very exciting so I continued on.

Initially there was a good path, but somehow I must have drifted off it and found myself floundering in the heather and soft ground of Moel yr Henfaes (584m). Not being a 2000' peak my plan was to include it if I felt like it, but as I was now very close to the summit, I decided it would be churlish not to bag it. It had an added bonus that I could see where I needed to be so headed off soon locating a good path to follow. The descent was very approximate. I decided to head down in the direction of the village and figure it out as I went. This worked well, so well in fact that I emerged onto the final lane walking down a signposted bridleway!

From here it was down to the village and the car. My total walking time was four hours and thirty minutes, so not far off my planned time of four hours, happy with that.

I stripped off my wet walking gear in the car, had lunch, then with the heated seat on full wack and the blower set to 'Hi' I set off for the next destination.

Peaks climbed : Cyrniau Nod (667m), Cefn Gwyntog (615m)

Total Distance : 16km, Total Ascent : 545m

A cheeky day out to claim a couple of peaks missed the last time - there were too many! I parked on the roadside between Rhos-y-gwaliau and Lake Vyrnwy at a convenient place and we (Rosie and I) headed into the forest on good tracks. It started quite cold, then raining on and off so there were several stops to add or remove layers. The track heads slowly upwards and by the time we exited the forest we were already well over 600m. I knew from previous experience of walking in this area that the final section would be way harder going, despite the small height gain and this proved to be the case. Leaving the path and heading into the heather I took the precaution of summiting Foel Cedig just in case! The 'just in case' is because that is the name used in the Nuttall Guide and I didn't want to find myself in an argument about the true summit, given that Cedig is just one metre lower than Nod. I could see what I presumed was the Nod summit so, donning waterproofs as it had started raining again, we headed over stumbling and slipping our way through the heather - even Rosie was not happy about the undergrowth.

Finally we found ourselves on the summit ridge and headed for the small pile of stones and stick that signifies the summit. It is necessary to scale a fence and although there is a tree stump which acts as a step, it would have been nice to see a stile, but hey ho, it's not a popular peak.

Cefn Gwyntog is the far ridge at about 90 degrees to the way I had come and the visibility was good so I had no use for the map or 'Outdoor Active' for a while. Descending to the stream was easy enough but the final 50m or so of vertical ascent was tough! I decided, as it had stopped raining and I was about to climb, that the waterproofs could come off, which they did and remained in the rucsac for the rest of the day. Stumbling and falling again, I slowly made my way up with one false summit after another, I was pleased to finally arrive at what I presumed was the summit - a couple of stones. I then noticed another small pile of stones about 10-20m away that looked slightly higher - I would have to go over to ensure I'd summited.

That done, it was a straight walk over to the track which I could see in the distance, again no navigation required. Eventually we arrived, relieved that the stumbling and falling was over for the day, or so we thought! As I followed the path, I noticed a lower path running almost parallel and consulting the map, realised that it was a much quicker way back to the car, it would 'just' involve a bit more heather based downhill walking which I figured was worth it, so down we went. Reaching the edge of the forest I quickly realised that it would be much faster and easier to walk through the trees which we did. Even that involved some zig zags, avoiding tree branches and negotiating fallen trees but eventually we popped out on the track.

It was a simple case of following the track as it wound its way back down and within about 30 minutes we were back at the car, the day done.

That done, I promised myself I would never return to the Berwyn, apart from the final peak in the group!

Peaks climbed : Post Gwyn(665m)

Total Distance : 8km, Total Ascent : 409m

Well, later that same month, I did return to the Berwyn for the final peak, which, as you will see, was a much more pleasant experience than most of the others. Still won't return to the area though!

After a two and a half hour drive, I arrived at the car park for the Pistyll Waterfall, or rather, the pre-car park. I'd parked and walked from here before so knew that the actual car park charged £5 for the day whereas this one was free, provided you were early enough. Well, there was one other car parked there so I took my spot.

Soon away, I followed the signs for the top of the waterfall and decided I'd have a look. Given that it's the highest waterfall in Wales, it was nothing special so I didn't stay more than a couple of minutes.

The path for Post Gwyn heads off up the valley, following the stream that feeds the waterfall. At this point, it's quite a good path and reaches a good bridge over the stream. From there, it deteriorates rapidly into very thin sheep tracks. Deciding I had to head upwards, I hopped from one path to another heading in the general direction of up and to my left.

After some effort, the summit area came into view but it was still some distance away and with the paths all but disappeared, I was making my own on very hard going heather.

Finally I arrived, breathless, on the summit and was greeted with excellent views all around. The weather was superb, if anything, a bit hot for walking, but better that than rain! I could even see Snowdon and the Ogwen Valley in the distance.

Starting down I took a more direct path to the stream valley, hoping to find a good path back, but sadly disappointed and had to fight through heather and fern right back to the bridge again, when the path improved immensely.

From there I retraced my steps back to the car. I'd completed all of the mountains in the Berwyn region thankfully - it's not my favourite area to be honest.