UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Penygadair (893m), Mynydd Moel (863m), Cyfrwy (811m), Tyrrau Mawr (661m)

Total Distance : 23km, Total Ascent : 1,305m

The Minffordd Path ascends Cadair Idris (The chair of the giant; Idris) from near Tal-y-Llyn Lake via a very pleasant path through the woods and out into the huge amphitheatre walls of Cadair Idris. At the centre of this is Llyn Cau and a fine destination in its own right.

Walking up, there were plenty of people following the path on this glorious Easter Friday, all presumably bought out by the fine weather, excellent views and the chance to climb mid-Wales' highest peak; Penygadair (893m) as the summit of Cadair Idris is known. On arriving at the lake I decided I wanted something more adventurous (and quieter) than simply following the path to the summit so searched around the imposing head wall for a suitable break. I spotted a likely route on the right hand side so headed around the lake for a closer look. It was steep but apart from a section near the top looked like it would go. I figured I could always move further right onto easier ground if it got serious.

After a short break for a drink and to admire the scenery I set off. It is a steep climb up on broken ground but there was enough solid rock to make good progress. As I neared the top I noticed that the route headed into the cleft of the rock and in fact became easier going as it was more of a scramble on decent rock rather than slip sliding upwards. Soon enough I popped out onto the main path, very satisfied with my choice of route. Turning right onto Penygadair I followed the rough track upwards to eventually arrive at the summit cairn and small shelter below. The shelter was, presumably, previously a Shepherds Hut or similar as it is very well constructed and could easily sustain a tired Shepherd for a night.

The next objective was an out and back to Mynydd Moel (863m), for me, a new peak. It is only about twenty minutes distant but needed bagging! To continue to the next objective I had to return to Penygadair but managed to circuit around the summit, although I am not sure whether it saved me anything as there was no path and required hopping from rock to rock, but I arrived at the onward path which I followed on a curving descent and subsequent ascent to Cyfrwy (811m). It is a steady walk and a little rocky near the summit but has wonderful views over its edge and back along the Cadair ridge.

There then followed a long walk around to Carnedd Lwyd which was further than it looked and is just the boulder field for the main peak of Tyrrau Mawr (661m) where I decided it was lunchtime. Sat on the very edge of the ridge was a little nerve wracking as their was a vertical drop of a hundred metres or more, but gave amazing views towards the Barmouth Estuary and the Rhinog Mountains to the North. Lunch done, I set off for the final two peaks of Twll yr Ogof and Braich Ddu, both of which were lower than those I had already bagged but still tested the now tired legs. I could see the Estuary and the railway/footbridge but it seemed to take an age to get to. Initially I dropped almost straight down off Braich Ddu, so steeply that I needed to use the fence as an aid to descending. From there, across some fields and down through the woods where I finally arrived at the lane leading to the bridge. The Estuary bridge is quite long but very pleasant. At the Barmouth end there is an 'Honesty Troll' where pedestrians are asked for one pound for crossing the bridge. Shortly after I was enjoying a well earned pint in the 'Last Inn' in Barmouth. The weather had been excellent all day.

Peaks climbed : Tarrenhendre (634m), Tarren y Gesail (667m)

Total Distance : 22.6km, Total Ascent : 1,083m

The original plan was an ascent of Cadair Idris but when I woke it was raining and the cloud base was down to 1,000 feet. Checking the forecast did show it improving later so I decided to hang on a while before leaving.

Of course I got bored very quickly so decided to head off regardless. The campsite has a convenient bridge over the stream leading to a quiet lane which could be followed into Abergynolwyn, my jump off point for the hills.

Following the lane up to the Nant Gwernol station I was soon on forest roads, my least enjoyed terrain, they always change, there are always new and different paths and it is often difficult to get a GPS signal to confirm location.

I'd worked out a nice route that would bring me out of the forest close to the final ascent of my first peak; Tarrenhendre (634m) The walk ascended slowly through the forest along good tracks and paths and I felt confident that I'd made a good choice. One more bend, straight up the fire break and I'd be out and within sight of the summit, or at least I would if the clouds would lift.

As I approached I realised there was no fire break and even though I could see the ridge, I realised there was no chance of the direct route, the forest was too thick and the undergrowth too wild. The only option was to continue along another forest track, almost back to Abergynolwyn Station, then out and onto open ground. This one existed!

Upwards I tried to follow the track marked on the map, but the reality was somewhat less obvious. Locating a fence, I knew if I followed that, it would take me to the top, plus it was the only peak so provided I kept going upwards, I would be going in the right direction.

This all proved successful and I found myself cresting the summit and locating the rather unimpressive summit stones. It was cold, wet and cloudy so after a quick drink, I set off following the fence still as it trended Eastwards. I needed to locate a path that would bring me down to a forest track, but of course it didn't exist and so once again I had to make my own way down through springy heather, marshland and at one point into the forest before emerging onto the wide track. This would lead me for a mile or so to a clearing where, hopefully a path would take me into the trees and out below my second peak of the day; Tarren y Gesail (667m).

At the clearing, I identified the track, and happy with that, decided lunch would be in order, initially taken just outside the trees, but as the rain started again, I moved into the shelter of the trees to finish.

It was quite cold, so as soon as I'd finished my sandwich I set off, the rest I would have later.

Soon enough I emerged from the trees and saw the mighty slopes that I needed to climb. When researching the route, it was clear that walking to the far end was a much better prospect for ascent than the fences halfway along. For reasons I know not, there was a double row of fences leading from just below my path right the way up, with just a couple of metres separating them, effectively creating a no-go area for sheep and other livestock.

Turning upwards I noticed I had about 200m of vertical ascent to the summit. Not too bad I thought and off I went. There are two ways up here, the direct route that I was following and a more zig-zag, but altogether gentler ascent. No prizes for guessing which one I took!

There are no paths from the summit so it was a case of following the thin sheep tracks in the general South Westerly direction to reach the catching feature of the forest edge. Descending I came to a stile that led into the forest and was a possible route, but experience, even today, had taught me that the tracks and firebreaks might not exist, so I took the brave decision to continue down to the valley and follow the stream around the bottom of the forest and in fact, on the route that the Nuttall guide recommends.

The path at the bottom was not obvious as I descended but as I reached the stream, one appeared which I followed around, and then onto an official path which even had a sign arrow - the first I'd seen all day! This path led me to the old quarry and through a very overgrown path to finally emerge at the main quarry track.

It was now a simple matter of following this all the way back to Abergynolwyn, firstly as a dirt track, then as a metalled lane, passing as it did, the route I took first thing to the Nant Gwernol station and down to the village. I considered stopping for coffee but decided I would prefer to continue and get the day done - I had coffee and biscuits back at the campsite.

It had been a much longer day than I'd expected and quite a tough one, so I was pleased to be back, getting the kettle on for a coffee and chocolate digestives.

Peaks climbed : Craig y Llyn (622m), Tyrrau Mawr(661m), Cadair Idris(893m)

Total Distance : 25km, Total Ascent : 1,250m

So today was all about bagging one single peak that somehow had escaped my attention on previous visits; Craig y Llyn which at 622m was not in the big boy league, but needed doing.

After a tiring couple of days I decided to tackle it first and that way, if I felt too tired, I could descend having completed my objective.

From the campsite it was an easy walk over the ridge to the tiny hamlet of Llanfihangel-y-pennant which for such a small hamlet, doesn't really deserve the tongue twisting name, but it's stuck with it! It's claim to fame however, is the church of St Michael which tells the story of Mary Jones, a young girl who walked to Bala to purchase a Welsh language bible. This she did barefoot, quite why barefoot is never adequately explained but there it is. Quite a feat for a young girl, given that it is about 25 miles distant and I dare say the roads were not as good as they are now. Anyway, the church is worth a visit.

From the hamlet, the route follows a small road which turns into a track which becomes a path, then back to a track again, heading ever steadily upwards from a low point of just over 30m which means the Craig y Llyn will be pretty much climbed from sea level.

Eventually small farm buildings are reached and my route took me off the track that had so far been signposted to Cadair Idris. There is no actual path to the summit from this side so I climbed as high as the track took me (460m), then headed off and upwards to the summit.

The summit itself doesn't come into view until the very last moment, but then a whole vista opens up with views across to Barmouth and the Rhinogs. It was at this point that I realised I had actually climbed this mountain! Doh! Some time ago I'd been dropped at the Minfford Path car park and walked to Barmouth so would have climbed the mountain - there's no other way!

Oh well, I was enjoying the day and feeling fit so carried on to Cadair Idris, following the Pony Path and summited that via Tyrrau Mawr another previous conquest.

Lunchtime on the summit was as pleasant as it could be and I was reluctant to leave, but started down, picking up the Minfford Path to the col. On a previous ascent I'd climbed the corner of the giant amphitheatre on a steep path/scramble and fancied my chances of descending that way so started down. It was delicate in places but never hard and I was soon at the lake, having cut out at least an hour of walking. At the head of the lake I stopped to enjoy the sunshine for a while before continuing down the very steep path to the valley. At the bottom, my knees complained bitterly and I was pleased to be on level ground.

From here it was a short distance along the road before leaving it for a thin lane which would take me to the far end of Tal-y-Llyn lake where I had a final mile of roadwork back to the campsite. There was a forest track but it involved some uphill and downhill and to be honest, my legs had done enough for the day.

Peaks climbed : Maesglase(675m)

Total Distance : 12.4m, Total Ascent : 693m

It was the final peak in the Cadair Idris group and one I'd driven past many times on the way to somewhere else and always thought I should climb it, plus it was on the way home so no excuses today.

Of course, being Wales, the weather was as far from yesterdays glorious sunshine as it was possible to get with the weather forecast predicting heavy rain later in the afternoon, so I packed up my tent and gear and was away early.

The drive up only took about 20 minutes, parking at a layby near to the turning for Dinas Mawddwy. The path is at the end of the layby so couldn't be more convenient. The legs get a very rude awakening with a huge climb up steps and through the forest, seeming to go on forever. Finally it emerges onto the hillside where a thin track contours around for a mile or so, but seems much longer as the path deteriorates. Crossing a saddle at the end, the path heads up steeply and, today, into the mist. Another big climb up a thin track, the path direction starts to head more Northerly, which feels wrong, but is in fact in a direct line along the cliff edge towards the summit. Having read the Nuttall guide, I knew that the 'official' summit isn't actually the highest point of the mountain, so I was prepared for an additional walk to the high point.

The path follows the edge all the way round to the official summit on a very thin track and on occasions I looked back to ensure I could locate it on my return - given the lack of view I'd decided on an out and back walk rather than a longer walk. It was pretty cold and windy on the top so I kept going as quick as I could to keep warm, eventually reaching the disappointing summit, marked by a single stick in the ground! Pausing only briefly for a photo I set off, following the fence to the high point which was even less remarkable, having nothing by way of a marker so I stood on what I figured was the highest point, checking my watch told me it was 678m so happy with that - the official summit is marked on the map as 674m. Again not pausing I decided rather than retrace my steps, I would follow the fence as it curved South West, provided there was a reasonable path, which there was, well, no worse than the one I had followed up. This route was much shorter than the upward route. The descent back to the forest was steady so I could make quick progress and soon found myself turning left (Eastwards) to follow the tree line back down to the saddle and pick up my outward path.

Now out of the wind, it seemed like a good time for a break, so took the opportunity of a drink and goodie bar before starting the steeper descent to the saddle. From there, the contour path was followed right back to the forest and a steep descent to the car was soon done. I'd finished not only the days climb, but the weeks climbing and to top it all, the entire Cadair Idris group of mountains could now be ticked off from my list.