Guilsfield Hill Walkers

Bryn Cader Faner against the skyline

Sunday 22nd was the glorious day between two wet ones – well done Richard for picking one of the best days out in the hills that we have had this year.  The clouds went up as the morning wore on until by lunchtime the visibility was almost unlimited.  This side of the Rhinog is very wet in places and following the previous days rain the bogs were even wetter.  Bryn Cader Faner is an impressive ring of stones (more details and pics. here   http://www.megalithics.com/wales/bryncadr/brynmain.htm )  Chris led a slight detour up on to the slopes of Moel Ysgyfarnogod via a rocky gully to a good view point for lunch.  Now with blue skys and stupendous view the afternoon walk back to Cae Adda was a delight.

Welcome to two walkers new to our group – Brian and Byron – look forward to walking with you again.

Thanks to all who came and all who drove.  More pics. in the gallery. 

While some of us are away in the Lakes Richard Rees will be leading an attack on Cadair Idris.  SUNDAY SEPT. 5th 8.30 am from The Oak. Just turn up ready to depart at 8.30 – contact Richard for more details.  01938 554134  

Peter's secret fuel

Brian led a goodly party of 14 to the summit of Arenig Fawr (2801 feet in old money) on Sunday 1st August.  The weather was reasonably kind with the occasional bit of thin drizzle but nothing to gripe about, and the sun did come out in the afternoon.  We had lunch on the top and viewed the memorial plaque to the the crew of an American Flying Fortress bomber which crashed on Arenig Fawr on 4th August  in 1943 with the loss of all lives.  (Link to info.and crew picture:   http://www.303rdbg.com/427pratt.html )

Thanks to Brian for an excellent route, and thanks to all who came and all who drove.

Selection of photos in the gallery.  

Mat and Richard toiling in the mist

What a day!  It’s not often we walk off a hill because of the conditions, but Sunday 4th July was one of those days. Started out from Beddgelert and it was a bit breezy with low cloud with no threat of the ferocity to come.  The team toiled up and through the wall and into the cloud.  This was when the weather set in.  Driving rain on our left side, buffeting wind, greasy rocks, with no sign of improvement.  The decision really made itself as folk were getting blown about and things became trecherous.  So down we came.  This sounds easy but it was not: scrambling DOWN greasy rocks is harder than going up. More folk being blown over and everybody getting rather damp.  12 sopping souls made it back to Beddgelert and then made a run home to the haven of  The Oak.

I think Moel Hebog has it in for me – I have been on the top four times and each time have seen absolutely nothing because of cloud, mist and rain.  Now this – not even getting anywhere near the top!

PS It was a good job we didn’t attempt the Welsh Royal Family as it was even worse up there.  Only a few pics in the gallery because of the conditions.  

News from Heather and Jamie: a sister for Ellie!  Annabel Charlotte, weighing an impressive 9lb 4oz  

Hafod Eryri in the sunshine

Assorted body bits of assorted walkers were feeling rather shredded at the end of Sunday. It started with a lovely walk in from Llanberis and up to the summit of Moel Cynghorion (674m  – 2211ft) with great views back down into the valley. After decending to the bwlch we started the climb up The Snowdon Ranger zig-zags. We were now in cloud, increasing wind and rain and had to stop to struggle into full waterproofs – much cursing as two legs went down one hole. Now the ‘toughy’ bit started with a vengence. Visiblility was right down and walkers retreated into their own wet world of one foot in front of the other and burning muscles. The Snowdon trains rumbled up and down in the wet gloom as eventually the summit materialised out of the cloud. There were about five first ascents in our group and they had a real baptism, congratulations to you all.

The summit was packed as usual with the disgorgings from the trains clad in inappropriate fashion statements and people trying to record their ascents on camera phones. But the new Hafod Eryri was warm, dry and welcoming: the views from the enormous windows must be magnificent when it’s clear but today it was uniform grey.
Setting out again was a challenge – from the warm and dry into the wet and cold of the dire Llanberis Path: but the gloom started to lift and the magnificent views opened up to much acclamation.
We returned in sunshine, our bodies telling us that it indeed had been a toughy.
Many thanks to Richard for a grand route and for ‘counting us out and counting us in.’ Also thanks to all who came and all who drove. A sure sign it was tough, only three out of the 15 stayed for a drink in The Oak.

Guess who forgot his camera?  So pictures will be arriving soon. 

Ice creams all round in Beddgelert

Wow – was it hot.  Most stunning walk – views to die for – and weather to match.  Welcome to Martyn Bassett – new walker for our group – hope to see you again.  Thanks to Richard for finding such a stunner.

Have just put a lot more pics in the gallery. 

Walking up with the Mawddach in the distance

A grand day on Sunday 2nd May – clear as a bell – cool breeze and bright sunshine. Because of the clear air we were able to see for miles and miles, all along the Lleyn to Bardsey and well inland across ridge after ridge. Welcome to Karen, another walker to our group, hope to see you again. Thanks to Mat for a fine walk and to all those who came and all who drove.

Pictures in the gallery.  If you have any more you want in the gallery please forward.

See you all on 23rd May, 8.00am, very scenic walk around Beddgelert and Aberglaslyn led by Richard. 

Looking down on Lake Vyrnwy

Peter’s walk from Vyrnwy and around Bwlch Swch proved very popular. We had another record turnout and were again lucky with the weather: bright and clear, not quite ‘factor 50′ stuff but very good for walking.  Our Malaysian friends added to the international status of the group by bring along a Russian – welcome, and we hope to see you again.

Pictures of the walk in the Photo Gallery.  See you all on 2nd May – 8.00 start.  

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