UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Moelwyn Bach(710m), Moelwyn Mawr(770m), Moel yr Hydd(648m), Allt Fawr(698m), Moel Druman(676m), Cnicht (689m)

Total Distance : 19.5km, Total Ascent : 1,287m

The Moelwyns were a new area for me and having done everything in the Snowdon area I decided to venture south for an outing. There are two roads into Croesor; the natural starting point and pretty much the only place to park in the area. The one my Sat Nav took me had several gates which required stopping to open. The other (signposted from the main road) has no such problem. Parking at Croesor I headed off up the road for a mile or so before breaking off left in the general direction of my first peak; Moelwyn Bach. There was no real footpath so I made my way across to the ridge line, hoping for better ground, which eventually came. At just 710m it seemed an easy 'bag' but proved anything but as I made my way slowly up. Pleased to finally be on the summit I rested a while and took a 'gel' for energy. Of course there were no views as the cloud was low. Consulting the map I could see a likely route, slightly left of a direct route to my next destination; Moelwyn Mawr.

It was not an easy descent. Some slippery down-climbing and inelegant bum shuffling eventually bought me onto better ground and I came to the main path. Turning left I soon came to an excellent rising track, skirting Craigysgafn until coming to an end when a direct ascent was the only option. At 770m it didn't seem like a tough proposition but in reality the 45 degree slope tested the legs, ticker and lungs to the full.

As I climbed I suddenly realised my sunglasses weren't in my pocket - disaster! I checked and rechecked, but nothing. Then it dawned on me - I was wearing them! Finally reaching the ridge I was rewarded with excellent views all round and in a few minutes reached the summit cairn.

Pausing briefy I could see the entirety of the rest of my day stretching ahead. Next stop, Moel yr Hydd about 1km distant and looking easy as it was around 100m lower. It too had a sting and some frustrating marshy ground that needed circumventing. Another direct descent, this time to Llyn Cwmorthin, on better, but still steep ground to the foot of Allt y Ceffylau I could see my route ahead. All I needed to do was to cross a flat field...unfortunately there was a wide stream in the way!

Doh! Following it to try and find a narrowing I came across some iron railings across the stream, but would they take my weight? I gingerly made my way across constantly looking for an escape route should they collapse. Luckily no drama and I reached the safety of the other side. More steep, unrelenting climbing bought me onto the ridge for the final ascent which seemed to take an age and forced me to rest several times before the incline eased enough. Finally I was in the summit and, as it was lunchtime, decided to have lunch. I'd changed the habit of a lifetime and bought a Ginsters Steak slice instead of a sandwich, and very nice it was too - this could be a new routine, much easier than bringing rolls, butter, filling, cling film - just a slice. Suitably fed I headed off for the final two peaks; Moel Druman which was dispatched quickly and then onto Cnicht which took longer but arrived without fuss or fanfare.

Taking a break, I found an excellent spot with an amazing view over to Moelwyn Mawr and beyond. The drop to the intervening valley was breath taking. Eventually tired legs were coaxed into life and I set off. Descending from the summit in this direction is a real challenge, as basically you are down-climbing a Grade 1 scramble. It seemed endless but eventually I reached easier ground and made good progress down to Croesor and the bike. Unable to resist the local cafe, I went in for a Cappuchino and Victoria Sponge, both of which were excellent.

Peaks climbed : Craigysgafn (689m), Ysgafell Wen (672m), Ysgafell Wen North Top (658m), Ysgafell Wen Far North Top (650m)

Total Distance : 19.5km, Total Ascent : 1,003m

Parking seems pretty easy in Ffestiniog and I was soon away walking out of town the way I had driven in. My route soon left the main road and headed through a small group of houses to disappear through a gap between two of them and quickly out onto open ground.

A mine track is joined and followed uphill to a lake. Due to safety concerns, the path over the bridge is closed, but a few metres upstream there is a man-made bridge of slate (what else?) where it is possible to cross and head more or less directly up. Being another warm day, I took my time on the climb which turns from mine track to open ground with a dubious path.

I fancied I could see my destination, Craigysgafn, although given that there were several peaks in about the right area, I was careful to check my position frequently to ensure I stayed on track. Eventually the path I was following passed underneath the final climb and I scanned the hillside for a decent way up. There was very little choice but I spied a break that I convinced myself would work so headed up towards it.

The route certainly wasn't for the faint hearted and I carefully pulled myself up on rocks, heather and just about anything I could grab that would hold long enough to make the move. Finally it yielded and I reached the summit ridge and the top. Unfortunately a short way further along the ridge was the actual summit so of course I had to go to it.

The view down and back to Ffestiniog was superb and well worth the effort.

From here there is no clear path over to the Ysgafell group of tops so I followed various paths and pathless routes, heading in roughly the right direction until I started to climb what I presumed was the final section - my watch was showing me approaching the right altitude so I figured I'd be close, which turned out to be the case. Ysgafell Wen main summit was the closest so I elected to scale that and have lunch. It was an excellent spot, allowing me a clear view of the two 'North' peaks but also a fabulous view over to Snowdon and Crib Goch plus a great view to the coast.

After lunch I headed over and dispatched the other two quickly which bought my days total to four peaks. The original plan was to cross over and complete the Moelwyns range with three further peaks, but I was suffering in the heat, my water supply would last until I got back to the car but certainly not for another two hours or more which is what I would need. My legs were also starting to complain so I decided to quit whilst I was ahead and enjoy the day for what it was.

Again, there were no real paths from here back to Ffestiniog so I made my way across to Moel Druman and picked up the path there. A final ridge and Ffestiniog came into view as did the huge slate quarry. At the same time, the path that was shown on the map vanished so I realised I would need to find my own way down. Easier said than done as it was a huge drop with some serious looking rocks in the way. Oh well, here we go again! Slowly I made my way down weaving back and forth to locate breaks in the ramparts until I finally got onto easier ground and was able to reach the mine tracks. A short walk bought me down to the main factory and a few minutes later I was on the main road and walking down to where I'd parked my car.

Peaks climbed : Moel Penanmen (614m), Manod Mawr North Top (658m), Manod Mawr (661m)

Total Distance : 16km, Total Ascent : 665m

Parking up at the same place in Bleneau Ffestiniog I was soon away walking up the hill past the Zip World entrance and soon off the road and onto a pleasant path that shared some of the Zip World mountain bike trails on and off before breaking out into open country. Moel Penamnen is the obvious mountain to the right of dead ahead and I made my way towards it. The walking was okay on small paths but I knew that soon I would leave them to take the direct route up the mountain. It is a steep undertaking requiring the use of my walking poles to aid the ascent, but the metres tumbled away and I soon gained the summit section. Of course the actual summit was out of view behind the first false summit, but as I had my watch set to altitude it came as no surprise and I soon crested.

Clearly there used to be a trig point here as there is a square section of concrete for the base but no trig marker. A drink and goodie bar seemed in order while I checked my route ahead. No paths of course so I figured a more or less direct route to the lake would work. I did get on a path which ran at 90 degrees to the direction I needed so I quickly tired of that and took a direct line. I now know why the path took a circular route around as I walked straight into a huge bog, the water going over my boots and soaking my feet. Trying to recover I retraced my steps a way and eventually found a route round. This was summer, heaven knows how wet it would be in winter!

The lake reached, again there was no path as far as I could see up to Manod Mawr North Top so made my own which actually wasn't too bad and I soon crested the summit. In some directions, the views were amazing, but this is quarry world so the view to the main summit was somewhat of a disappointment with a huge slate quarry between summits. It also got me thinking how I was going to get to the main summit.

I figured going left and down would take me round the quarry, but the quarry is so big that wasn't possible so I dropped as low as I could, then figured 5-10 minutes along the quarry road would get me past it with the minimum of fuss and that's exactly what I did, the only issue was getting over and back as there were piles of old slate making up the edge of the road but I managed without any issues.

Back on the grassy slopes I made my way up to the main summit which yielded easily. To my surprise I met a lad who had camped up there. Very envious!

To descend I took a line down towards what I figured would be the quarry road down to the town. As I descended I noticed a lake and path both down to it and along it. Some delicate downclimbing over grass and rock eventually bought me to the path which was nicer than I thought and I followed it past the lake, where there were some people sat in!

The path continues right down into the town and I just had a mile or so to the car and I'd completed to Moelwyns range of mountains.