UK Mountains Expedition Report

The original plan was to walk from the foot of Hay Bluff to a bivvy site that I had previously checked out to be an excellent site. The day before we were due to depart, our driver pulled out! I was faced with a dilemma, to cancel or to relocate. What was I worried about, I had 24 hours!

So it was that we caught the train to Abergavenny and marched the short distance into the town to the best chip shop around - in my opinion. They didn't disappoint and we were soon all tucking into a welcome hot meal.

So satisfied, we headed off through the town to the last pub in town where we stopped for a pint to steel ourselves for the walk ahead. The plan was to head up towards Sugar Loaf and find a suitable bivvy site for the night. It was about 3 miles or so before we found a likely spot, too narrow to group, but wide enough to be in-line with walking space to the side - perfect!

My new Terra Nova Jupiter bivvy bag was making its debut. It was the first time I had used a hooped bivvy and was keen to try it out. It has guying loops so I had previously added short guy lines which prompted some ridicule from my fellow walkers who insisted a pole, pegs and guy lines made it a tent, not a bivvy bag. I defended my choice of home as a bivvy bag with a hoop - hence the description - hooped bivvy!

After sorting our gear, we gathered round to discuss the plans for the weekend, share hip-flasks and generally talk mens talk. Soon enough it was bedtime, so with the minimum of fuss we were in. I had elected to bring my down bag which was warm enough to sleep with no clothes on. I had intended to use my down jacket as a pillow, but on pulling it inside the bag, had a huge rush of claustrophobia as it filled the available air space and prevented me from breathing properly. Being zipped in, it took enormous will-power to remain calm, locate my head torch, which I always keep on the left of me for easy retrieval, locate and open the zip and push the jacket out, breathing in the cold refreshing night air. Some reorganisation was clearly necessary!

The following morning, we woke around 7am and were eventually off by 8:45am, a certain member of the team taking longer than most to be ready!

The start of the walk was a shock to the system as it was uphill - in fact, it was seriously uphill all the way to the summit of the Sugar Loaf at 596m, although, as I pointed out on the descent of the far (Northern) side, it was easier than some ascents! I had previously summited via the fearsome northern side and can attest to its difficulty! Dave was keen to do some navigation and learn about pace counting, so we both set off, counting our paces and agreeing to stop after 500m - we were within 3-4m of each other -pretty good going.

Between the lower slopes of Sugar Loaf and the next summit - Crug Mawr (550m) there was the valley at 150m to negotiate via several paths and a short section of road, but we were soon heading up again, legs tiring quickly on the ascent, which saves the worst for last. Five very tired walkers eventually crested the main climb to join the path from Llanbedr - the route used in the Black Mountains Roundabout for those of you who know it. It was a short walk to the summit and the first tea-break of the day. One or two elected to add layers as it was now considerably colder than it had been and we had along reasonably flat walk to our next objective; Waun Fach.

The route follows the edge of the Mynydd Du Forest so is reasonable sheltered if the wind is from the North East, but of course, today it blew from the South-West and it was bitterly cold, starting to snow just as we elected to take lunch! It was 12:30 and we had been on the go since 8:45 with few stops. Donning extra layers we dined quickly, Monkey pulling out a pork pie which must have weighed several kilos on its own!

Soon enough we were out and made our way to the entrance to the forest. This is a short section and marks the final section to the summit of Pen-y-Gadair. I commented that this had been a potential bivvy site on the previous plan - and a fine place it would have made. I also commented that I had never walked through the forest when the ground had been dry - today might be different, surely the ground would be frozen - sadly no, still muddy!

The final ascent to Gadair passed quickly and we were soon on the final featureless kilometre or so to the summit of Waun Fach. The weather had now turned for the worse and we decided on full waterproofs to keep warm and dry.

Given that Waun Fach is the highest summit around, it is featureless and dull - not a cairn or trig point to be seen! Having bagged it, we headed off South West to begin the turn towards the bivvy site. The visibility was limited due to the low cloud and snow covered hillside to such an extend that I decided to make a quick check on the GPS to ensure we were still on track - the eTrek summit confirmed we were on target and exactly where I expected to be.

The snow can do that, previous terrain that is familiar in summer can become unrecognisable in winter and careful navigation is vital - it is worth an extra check to avoid getting lost and losing time.

We soon reached the major path junction that I had been expecting and dropped down to begin our Southward journey. By now it was mid-afternoon and already dusk. Darkness wasn't too far away. We pressed on, having identified a forest 4-5km distant which we thought would make a good overnight spot and as I pointed out, every kilometre walked today was one less tomorrow!

We reached the forest in the dark, having donned headtorches earlier. Heading up towards the edge, we began to search for a suitable site. Early signs were bad, the edge of the forest was muddy and the forest itself at such a steep angle that venturing in seemed a bad idea. Finally we located a spot that would allow us to pitch our bivvies in single file. Rich had to move further away as he was in a tent and needed a bit more space. My hooped bivvy squeezing nicely against the fence - I even used the fence to tie off the hooped end.

The evening was spent sorting gear, cooking and eating food and hot drinks to try and put back some of the energy lost during the day. After the meal, I decided to burn the waste packaging to save carrying it home, which burned so well I decided to make it into a proper fire, adding some dead twigs to build it up, then ever larger pieces - all dead wood, until I had a roaring fire going. Dave and Rich came round and between us we kept it going for a couple of hours - Monkey and Jason having long since retired. The fire went so well, that we decided to dry our damp clothing which steamed away well.

Whilst all this was going on, Rich asked if he could try Daves pipe - which he did and soon regretted it, choking up on the first pull! His pipe smoking days are clearly not only over, but unlikely to ever really start!

Sunday morning dawned cold and crisp which prompted some swift dressing action. Breakfast sorted, kit stowed and we were away, but not before Rich decided he needed to answer the call of nature, as had we all. Minutes ticked by and we began to worry; I called out, no response, I called louder, eventually a distant voice responded - he must have gone 400-500m down the hill! Why so far, we never discovered and being gentlemen, discussed the matter no further, concluding that Welsh toilet rituals are clearly not for English or Scottish eyes.

Eventually our shy Welshman was ready and we set off towards Table Mountain. Our plan was to skirt the foot of Pen Cerrig, of which Table Mountain is a part, then head down into Crickhowell.

The day was cool, but not cold, in fact after the valley that separated our ridge from the far side, we were positively glowing! From here is was a few k's of slog on undulating paths. At one point we stopped for a tea break and were investigated by a hungry ram. Jason decided to feed it a jelly baby which he threw in the direction of the ram, hitting it square on the nose, stunned the ram stepped back, but undeterred, soon came back for more and was suitably rewarded with several jelly babies, this time thrown short. Realising our sugar food was being wasted, we soon stopped, packed away and set off. Eventually we reached the turn off point and headed down to meet the road that would take us into Crickhowell. This section is unkind to knees, being very steep - it also coincides with the end of the Black Mountains roundabout, a particularly nasty end to 25 miles of walking.

From Crickhowell, we headed across the River Usk to meet up with the canal which we would follow all the way to Abergavenny (or so we thought).

Soon we found our way barred by canal works, a quick check of the map showed us that we could get out onto the road, follow it for a short while, across the building site and back onto the canal again. It is about 10-12km to Abergavenny passing through Gilwern and Govilon where we called a lunch break. Whilst dining, Jason tried for a Darwin award by placing his gas canister on top of his cooking pot to warm the gas.

The final leg of the afternoon saw us leave the canal and head across to the town a short distance away. Roadworks had other ideas and we found our way barred again. Being tired, damp and cold, we were in no mood for detours, so negotiated the fences, gates and other obstacles to complete the walk to the A4143 and the final hill into town. We decided that a beer or two in the first pub in Abergavenny was called for, so headed in. We had finished. A quick check of the map and some frantic maths concluded that we had covered 30 miles since Friday night, chuffed, we had another beer.

Finally it was time to move so we headed off to the best chippy in town for a slap up meal and from there a swift march to the railway station. Within five minutes the train arrived and we were off homeward. There was a change at Hereford with a delay of 45 minutes so took the opportunity of a final beer in the pub close to the station. Back again and we were on the train, deciding to try our luck n the first class compartments. As soon as the train pulled out, the inspector came out of his room and checked our tickets, we fully expected to be told to move out, but he let us stay, probably figuring we smelt so badly we would be better isolated from the other travellers.