On the Berwyns with the LDWA

13 January 2013

Another LDWA event took us into the snow-covered Berwyns. It was one of the group’s Social Walks, led by Mike and was a great introduction for us to this interesting area, only just over an hour’s drive away.

The forecast was pretty good for the morning as we assembled at Llanygynog, and it proved to be a really bright, crisp start just after 9am. We were a bit disconcerted to see so many ice axes among the LDWA group, and even more alarmed with the helmet and long ropes snaking out of one pack. Fortunately, the rope merchants were a pair of climbers and not part of our group!

We headed first up Craig Rhiwarth. And when I say up, I mean straight up the loose slate which had a handy covering of ice. A nice challenging start!

The former slate and lead mine on Craig Rhiwarth.

En route Mike took us into the opening of the former slate and lead mine, and after a fairly precipitous clamber up the rest of the ascent we got to the hill fort at 10.30am after 2.5km with great views south and east. 

At the top of Craig Rhiwarth having survived the icy slate climb.

The next target was a stone circle which we reached shortly after crossing a couple of fences and the stream. An impressive avenue of stones led into the circle with around 18 stones, one for each of the group to sit on for lunch. Nice to have some Christmas cake left to enjoy on the mountain. It was now around midday and we had gone just under 7km.

Time for lunch at the Rhos y Beddau Stone Circle.

As soon as we set off after lunch the weather started to turn with clouds submerging the earlier cheery sun and the first flakes of snow falling. We were also now deep in the infamous Berwyn heather which is apparently one of the bugbears of climbing this range. 

Climbing up with the pointy Moel Sych in the distance.

A steady tramp took us to the top of the slope where we joined the ridge path along to Moel Sych. Here the snow was almost a foot deep in places but the track may have been easier to walk than normal as the frozen surface was somewhat easier than the underlying bog. We got to the summit cairn around 1.30pm, 10.5km. 

At the Moel Sych cairn.

There was now a choice, head across to Cadair Berwyn and back, or go straight down towards the waterfall. The consensus was to do the latter as the weather was pretty sharp on top, and in the light of the fact that we only just got back before dark, it proved to be a good decision.

The descent from Moel Sych was again frozen over bog, but I managed to find a weak spot and sunk almost to my knee. Oh well, wet feet for the rest of the trip. Obviously that was why Mike had advised gaiters - need another trip to The Outdoor Depot.

It was fairly steady down to Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall until we got to the steps which were absolutely treacherous, made more interesting by one of the accompanying dogs running up and down with us. We stopped in the shelter at the bottom for a final cup of coffee. 

Pistyll Rheadr waterfall.

The route then took us over the footbridge - stopping for a couple of photos of the impressive falls - and along a woodland path. We were then lulled into a false sense of security by the level and easy path, but we then noticed those ahead of us going uphill again. Having not expected to be climbing again, this was a real trudge up a track and onto the edge of the ridge. Once it became fairly level again it was fine though and we then had a lovely descent into a beautiful valley behind Craig Rhiwarth.

All downhill and back along the lane to the car park which we reached at 4.25pm after clocking up over 21km.

First run on first day of year

Sue managed to capture me as I passed our house.

A healthy start to the New Year. I decided some weeks ago to attempt my first fell run on the Morning After event. Having originally mis-read the instructions I became a bit concerned when I realised it was 5 miles, not 5km, so had to extend the training regime to get the distance up to that level.

Thanks to Jim's blog, one of the Mercia runners, I knew the route and managed to complete in the previous week and was aiming to get round in under an hour on the day.

I did have two brief running partners for the training, but neither were very keen on the cold and the mud so I ended up working solo.

The start of the run was a bit chaotic with a huge crowd gathered outside the police station in the town. I didn't actually hear the start whistle and neither did anyone around me but we saw people moving and followed quickly. On the way up Sandford Avenue there were strange noises coming up behind me and I was then passed by a dog dragging a runner behind him, one of many canine competitors in the race. There was also a penguin just ahead of me and a couple of very young boys who I didn't imagine would complete the course.

The route goes up through Rectory Woods with a couple of climbs and then on the track along to cross the Burway. Once on the level here, I took a quick drink on the go and was feeling pretty good although still a long way to go. A nice fast descent into the valley and then along to the track up past Stanyeld. I had run up this slope when training but there was a bit of congestion here so ended up walking with everyone else until we got near the golf clubhouse. back running we crossed the second hole and down into Cwm Dale.
passing some neighbours at the bottom who were marshalling we then had the steepest climb up to Novers. I had not done this before, even on a walk, and although it is tough going, once on the top there is a good run down into Batch Valley.

A stream at the bottom meant a quick leap and then another short climb onto the track out of the valley to get to Cwm Dale a second time. I passed the photographer just before the final drop down into the valley and managed not to grimace too much. The penguin was still ahead of me - and the two boys, although on reaching Madeira Walk I upped the pace and managed to get ahead of the youngsters and their mums. As I passed home, Sue popped out of the car and somehow managed to get a good photo of me in full flight. 

Nearly there now and the thought spurred me on to finish strongly in the cricket field. Just under the hour with a 57.25 finish! The first 5-miler under my belt and keen for more.