Wales Weekend – November 2006

Sat 4 Nov 2006

After breakfast drove to Nantgwynant and parked in the car park at SH628507. Began walk at 9.55am. Weather bright and sunny (and frosty), only Snowdon's summit in cloud. Followed the Watkin Path to just before Plascwmllan, where we turned left onto a path leading up to the old tramway. Followed a feint path up to the col between Yr Aran and an unnamed minor summit (intended actually to go via this summit, but missed it unintentionally). Followed the wall up to Yr Aran summit where we had a banana/coffee break.

Descend back to wall and head north to Bwlch Cwm Llan. A very steep, scrambly descent on the right side of a wall.

Ascend over Allt Maenderyn and Bwlch Main (a fine arête, but in a mist so did not see it or the views very well). Checked the "finger stone" that marks the top of the Watkin Path as we would need to find this again for our descent. The summit café had been completely demolished, and men were working with machinery completing the job. Lunch on the very misty summit, getting very cold. Several flocks of fieldfares and redwing seen on the ascent - probably new arrivals on the autumn migration.

Descend back to the start of the Watkin Path, a very steep and difficult descent at first. From Bwlch Ciliau continue on Watkin Path back to start. Sun setting over Yr Aran as we neared the end - just about dark when we got back to the car, for the drive back to the Goat.       

 

 

Summit	Height (m)	Status
Yr Aran	747	Nuttall
Snowdon	1,085	Nuttall

Sun 5 NOV 2006

Drive to the start on the Hirnant Pass at SH952296. Began walking at 9.45am. Very steep ascent for a distance of 900m beside the fence at the south of the forest. Berwyn heather very evident! At fence corner turn south for Foel Goch. Continue down to the col and then on to Trum y Gwragedd for elevenses (note that the OS have spelt the name of this peak incorrectly). Then on to Foel y Geifr, the third Nuttall of the day.

                                                                             

Descend east to the road, which we then followed for 3km back to the start; an ideal short Sunday walk before beginning our journey home at 1.15pm. Good dry weather, but quite windy and cloudy with occasional sunshine.

 

 

Summit	Height (m)	Status
Foel Goch	613	Nuttall
Trum y Gwragedd	612	Nuttall
Foel y Geifr	626	Nuttall