Beaudy Mawyr Weekend – Snowdonia in May

My first weekend with the Rucksack Club at their hut near Nant Peris in Snowdonia. When I arrived around 9pm there were quite a few people sitting outside still enjoying the evening. The hut is pleasantly situated just south of the village and beside the main road from Pen y Pass to Llanberis.

Saturday – Y Garn and Elidir Fawr

A glorious day in the hills lay before me, while the majority headed off on a 70 mile bike ride! A steep path near the hut provides good access to the Glyders ridge and the slopes of Y Garn. Excellent views into the Ogwen Valley were to be had from this vantage point. I then followed the ridge fence to Foel-goch, at the summit I met a man & his dog sitting admiring the view from the other side of the fence. we would later meet again down in Nant Peris in the pub.

A short back-track presented a stile to cross the fence and the route down to join the main path at Bwlch y Brecon. It had been pretty windy on the ridge and as a result I failed to realise how strong the sun actually was. The option here was to go straight for Elidir Fawr or head along to reach a few further summits before turning my attention to this summit. I chose the first option and was soon on Mynydd Perfedd with its small stone circle shelter & heading across the rocky plateau to Carnedd y Filiast before returning the way I had come.

The path to Elidir Fawr was fairly painless unlike the route back to Nant Peris. For the second time I struggled to find the path clearly marked on the OS maps as running down the hillside & alongside the Afon Dudodyn. It is possible to make a rout along here but it is not the easiest, a higher route above the valley seems the more preferable, maybe next time!

 

Nant Peris proved a welcome sight after a long days walk in the blistering heat. A refreshing drink & then on to the hut for a most welcome evening meal & time to relax.

The results of too much sun on the Saturday and continuing heat persuaded me to put on hold the proposed walk up Moel Siabod. This is one I’ve been meaning to climb for several years now but something always intervenes. maybe next time.

ITTH in the Peak District

The prospect of a along weekend in the White Peak with a group of 70+ Scouts and Guides from Hertfordshire presented a range of interesting challenges. Arriving at Orchard Farm centre in Staffordshire mid-afternoon meant I was in advance of the minibuses which would arrive later in the evening. Two others were present busy erecting tents around the grounds & we soon had the final tents ready for their incumbents.

An early alarm call at 5.45am was greatly appreciated by all present on the first day of activities. ITTH gave the Scouts & Guides an opportunity to take part in a range of outdoor activities. They would spend half-days climbing, cycling & orienteering and a whole day walking. My involvement was with the latter and each day I had a different assistant with the mixed group of Scouts & Guides.

Saturday – The Roaches

The walk started at the small car park at Gradbach near the Youth Hostel. A short walk to the forest and the track leading up to the rocky chasm known as Lud’s Church. There are various stories behind its name, but it is a most atmospheric place and considering the numbers of people in the area very tranquil.

After an exploration we ascended back into the forest and then uphill through the moor to the boundary and on towards the minor road at Roaches End. From here the path meanders along the top of The Roaches with opportunities to explore the millstone grit outcrops. These provided ample scope for simple scrambling and other activities.

 

Descending before Hen Cloud we saw many enjoying the afternoon bouldering and climbing. By the road we met Rangers from the Wildlife Trust and National park who were observing a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons. The powerful scopes enabled the group to get a close view of the birds.

Sunday – Shining Tor

It was a different group of Scouts & Guides today as we drove up to the ruin of Errwood Hall, beside Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley. The mansion had been demolished in the 1930s following the construction of the reservoir, but its foundations and plantings were still evident.  We headed off through the woods and eventually came to a small chapel or shrine.

A section of minor road led to Oldgate Nick, where we walked across the ridge along at times a made up path of flagstones and other materials. The destination was Shining Tor at 559m from where we could see the valley below us and the surrounding countryside. A pleasant walk back past Shooters Clough returned us to the car park and the awaiting minibus.