Fri 3 Mar 2006
I left home at 6.30am for the drive to Wales. Met up with Vince in the small car park at Pont Cyfyng at 10.40am. The plan had been to rendezvous in the nearby lay by, but Vince texted me to say it was full of snow and that he was in the car park instead. Vince had been in Wales for a couple of days running a cadet course. James, one of the people on the course, came with us on today's walk.
After a short walk along the road, crossed the bridge over Afon Llugwy and followed the bridle
track through Rhos to an unnamed lake. We continued to Rhos Quarry Pool, where we stopped for coffee. Onward to Lyn y Foel (which was completely frozen over). It was boggy in places as we continued to the start of the east ridge (Daear Ddu) of Moel Siabod.
Excellent scramble up the ridge, with lots of laying snow and bright sunshine. It was quite windy on the summit, and the cloud came down, so we did not have great views. We walked a couple of hundred metres along the north-east ridge and found a sheltered spot for a food and coffee break.
Descended north-east over snow covered slopes to Capel Curig forest. Followed paths through the trees and, keeping south of the river, arrived back at Pont Cyfyng. Drive back to the Goat Inn, Maerdy.
| | Summit | Height (m) | | Status |
| | | | | |
| | Moel Siabod | 872 | | Nuttall |
Sat 4 Mar 2006
Woke to find there had been more snow overnight - about 100mm deep on our cars. The plan had been to take cars to Cynwyd, leave one there, drive to Tan-y-pistyll and then walk the whole Berwyn ridge. This was ambitious, even without the snow. Because we could not be sure of being able to get a car to the start point (single track, dead-end road), and the inevitable slow going in the snow, we abandoned this plan and drove the car to Llandrillo with the intention of doing a circular walk with Cadair Bronwen as the main objective.
From Llandrillo we followed a track via Ty’n-y-cae-maur and Pontyr-hydd to Bwlch Llandrillo. A very long walk in, stopping at the sheepfold 500m before the bwlch for elevenses. From the bwlch a short detour north for the ascent to Pen Bwlch Llandrillo Top. Deep snow, but very clear blue sky. Returning to the bwlch we then ascended toward Cadair Bronwen NE Top.
The soft snow made progress slow and hard work. We met a solo walker making his way down as we ascended (the only walker seen during the day). This was useful as following his steps in the snow made progress a bit easier. It was very windy and cold on the top, so put on extra layers before having something to eat and drink.
A short descent to the next col and then the final climb up to Cadair Bronwen. It was hard work ascending to the summit as we sank almost knee deep into the soft snow on every step. It was worth the effort though, as the views from the top were superb.
After descending from the summit of Cadair Bronwen to Bwlch Maen Gwynedd we thought it would be an easy walk back. Unfortunately it was difficult to find the path under the snow, and we still had some tough walking through almost waist high snow (and heather) and a long walk on a woodland track before we got back to Llandrillo.
As we arrived on the outskirts of the village a farmer asked if we had had a good day. He had greeted us as we prepared for the off in the car park at the beginning of the day and was interested to hear where we had been. We chatted for a few minutes about our day.
A long and hard day – 8 hours from start to finish.
Woodcock seen on the walk-in, short-eared owl on the walk-out.
| | Summit | Height (m) | | Status |
| | | | | |
| | Pen Bwlch Llandrillo Top | 621 | | Nuttall |
| | Cadair Bronwen NE Top * | 700 | | Nuttall |
| | Cadair Bronwen | 785 | | Nuttall |
* This was a Nuttall when we climbed it, but was subsequently deleted from the list in 2007.
Sun 5 Mar 2006
More quite heavy snowfall overnight. Check out of the Goat and drive in Vince's car to the start at SH962397. Quite snowy and slippery on the narrow minor road. There was brilliant sunshine as we got our boots on, but it soon clouded over and started snowing as we walked the first 800m on the metalled road to the farm Pentre-tai-yn-y-cwm. A right turn in the farmyard onto a footpath following the stream in Cwm Da. Snow became quite heavy for a while, but then ceased and it became quite sunny again. Continued on the track (just discernable in the snow cover) up Waun Tafolog to the col between Foel Goch and Orddu. Elevenses here, followed by the ascent to Foel Goch.
Decided to abandon rest of the planned circular walk so that we could start the journey home asap. Retraced our route back to the car, stopping for more food at the col. Had to return to the Goat to pick up my car.
| | Summit | Height (m) | | Status |
| | | | | |
| | Foel Goch (Arenigs) | 611 | | Nuttall |
