Guilsfield Hill Walkers

Caer Caradoc and others

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:16:29 +0000

The loos in Church Stretton car park are different – they were playing Hawiian Music when I went in! Graham led us away from the musical loos, through the houses, over the railway line and across the A49 and up towards The Gaerstone and into the delightful village of Hope Bowdler. Here we turned north over Hope Bowdler Hill, across Willstone Hill and down to the Wilderness. It was just beyond the green lane that we came across a large area of Fairy Rings on the slopes of Robin’s Tump (Wiki entry here) At first glance we though they were stones but on closer inspection it was fungi – and lots of it. Some of the rings were complete and some partial and of varying sizes – go to the gallery to see close-up shots of these fascinating phenomena. The looming bulk of Caer Caradoc was to our left and the village of Comley ahead. Graham guided us around the northern end and along a sheltered track where butterflies and all sorts of small birds sported in the sun. We paused at a track leading up to the left and Graham told us that ‘the only way is up’ – and it was – onto the shoulder between Little Caradoc and the main hill. From here the views were fabulous, except the one that led up the spine of Caradoc – how on earth did the Iron Age folk get their shopping back up the hill?

Lunch was taken in the shelter of the ramparts on the summit – lying back in the warm sun was a real treat. But coming out of the shelter we got the blast of wind from the NE and that was cool. Across the top and down past Three Fingers Rock, down the very steep southern end and into the wooded valley, followed by a gentle walk out and back to the cars in Stretton – and more Hawiian music.

Thanks to Graham for a grand day out and all who came and all who drove.

Y Garn in the clouds

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:46:36 +0000

I suggested it may be a different kettle of fish and it certainly was. Everthing that could fall out of the sky did: rain, hail, sleet, snow, – all that was missing was cats and dogs. Richard led a small group of us (five) from Ogwen Cottage up into Cwm Idwal with the damp clouds well down on the tops and rain threatening. One or two small groups of walkers behind us on the track but very quiet for this ‘honey-pot’ area of Snowdonia. We skirted to the east of the lake, under the dripping Idwal Slabs. It was here we saw some of the famous Idwal wild goats – several family groups with kids – these are much smaller and less fearful of human proximity the those on the Rhinog.

Onwards and upwards we came to the rushing torrent that is Nant Ifan that crashes down from slopes of Glyder Fawr: with a bit of assisted leaping we were all safely across. The three following groups made a pigs ear of the crossing, turned round and went back down. Having had a coffee break in the shadow of The Devil’s Kitchen we made progress up into the cloud through the bouldery ramp that takes you up onto the bwlch by Llyn y Cŵn. It was here that the weather started to close in with more hail, sleet and snow, making the rocky ramp up to the summit of Y Garn something to concentrate on.

We did not linger on the summit but headed off to take the nasty route down from the rim of Cwm Clyd onto the scrabbly path that is the way down the ridge. Stopped for a very quick bite of late lunch here and then continued the descent and out of the bottom of the clouds: this was a wonderful moment with the grand views that we should have had from the top. The path here has been greatly improved with great lengths of slabbing and steps. Eventually we came to the flatter round around Llyn Idwal and took the scenic route (ie down the gully) back to the cars. Pictures in the gallery.

As I said earlier this was a different kettle of fish – a challenging route in these conditions but Richard led us well and all returned dry, safe and well. Thanks Richard – a grand day.

Next walk – a different kettle of fish

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:27:58 +0000

The next walk – Sunday 22nd April, 7 miles, difficult, leave 7.30, Richard leading – will be very different: an airy route up and over Y Garn from Idwal cottage. Given a clear day the views from the start are dramatic, and from the top even more so. But to get these views the day includes an ascent of The Devil’s Kitchen and a descent of The North East Ridge: both of these need care. Go here for Wikipedia info.

Aberdyfi Hills – a day in the sun

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:50:37 +0000

Richard led ten of us on a wonderful walk around the hills above Aberdyfi starting at the car park for Llyn Barfog (The Bearded Lake) – go here for info on Llyn Barfog. When Richard did the recce it was VERY wet and he recommended gaiters, if not wellies, but there were only one or two wet patches, the rest was dust dry in good sun. A steady pull up from the lane took us up onto Bryn Dinas then east across a rough track and back down to the lane. The views from the top were excellent: Ynyslas and Borth and over the hills and far away.

We lolled in the sun for lunch then headed west and down to Llyn Barfog and finished the walk with a lovely walk out to the car park.

Thanks to Richard for leading and all who came and all who drove.

Long Mynd in the sun

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:40 +0000

The weather came up trumps for us on Sunday – lots of sunny periods – light breeze – good visibility, and these added together to make a great day out. Seven of us left The Oak, picked up Graham in Forden and realised after a bit after that we had Mike in tow – he had been delayed and just missed our 9.00 departure – so we were 9 strong. We set off at around 9.45 and splashed through a bit of damp in Myndmill Woods and then through the farmyard and up to the road where the big climb of the day really began. This is a climb of over 800 ft of grassy track in less than a mile that forms a ramp onto the ridge of the Long Mynd. After numerous stops to ‘admire the view’ we made the summit and declared elevenses near the trig point. It was here that Len identified for us a flock of Golden Plover flying a flashing formation across the heather – a real treat to see this unusual bird, plus a couple of Red Kites. Refreshed we walked east on good forest tracks down to the bottom of Minton Batch and hurried past the very scruffy farm out onto the gently rising track up the Batch. Lunchtime saw us lolling in the sunshine at Yewtree Batch below Yapsel Bank. A goodly number of mountain bikes were coming down the track – they were all good natured with cheery waves and thanks.

We arrived at the busy Gliding Station on the ridge and watched things for a while then set off south down the long path that is The Shrophire Way and The Jack Mytton Way but primarily The Portway. Easy walking on soft grassy track, lovely views of the Clee Hills, Mortimer Forest, the endless ridges into Mid Wales and back across to The Stiperstones. But all good things must come to an end and we headed back down the last gravelly track to the cars and home to a welcome pint at The Oak. One of the best days.

Thanks to all who came and all who drove. Pictures in the gallery.

Next walk – Long Mynd 11th March

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:48:22 +0000

Done the recee – a grand walk! Starts just off the Lydham/Craven Arms road (A489) by Plowden. Take the Asterton Road left just after the turn to Lydbury North and half mile up to park on the right by Myndmill Woods. (SO 387883) A walk of 8 ish miles with one short sharp climb up onto the ridge and then across the top and down to Minton Batch. A lovely walk up the batch to come out at the Gliding Station. Then walk the ridge back to the south end of the Mynd and down the side back to Myndmill Woods. Mostly grass tracks, with one farmyard (bit mucky), lots of sheep and wonderful views.

The grade of Moderate is because of the climb up the side of the Long Mynd, apart from that it is easy.

Leave The Oak at 9.00 – parking is limited at the start point so we need to fill the cars. See you at The Oak.

Skylarks over Cilfaesty

admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:37:09 +0000

Well – what a glorious day! Peter had booked the weather and the visibility and led us on a wonderful route around the hills to the south of The Kerry Ridgeway. The abiding sound of the day was of skylarks – way up in perfect blue skies singing their beaks off. To get a feel of the day, turn your speakers on and click here.. On the way up to the top of Cilfeasty Hill Peter asked us to ponder on a strange item on the open hillside. There were actually two of them about 100M apart with no sign of connecting hedge lines or anything else. Sugestions ranged far and wild as to their function: rugby posts for the sheep – boot scrapers for giants – limbo bars for pasing walkers, Brian was all for having a go but declined as no suitable music was available. Have a look in the gallery – what do you think?

Next walk

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:34:52 +0000

Sunday 26th February – Cilfaesty Hill, Kerry – Easy/Moderate – 8 ish miles – leave at 8.30 – Peter Barton leading.
A walk on moorland paths and tracks with extensive views from the Kerry Hills to all sorts of places. Its north of that lovely road that goes from Dolfor over the open tops and eventually down into Knighton – grand country. See you there.

Clun Hills Walk

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:43:28 +0000

Three of us left the icy Oak at 8.30 to gently tippy-toe down to Clun collecting Graham at Forden on the way. We parked up on the ice-rink that was the Memorial Hall car park and then tried to stand up outside! WOW it was slippery. But once Peter SG got us out of the car park and onto the footpaths the day was a whole lot better. Peter lead us on a exceedingly pleasant route heading NE out of Clun up to Stepple and SE down to Clunton. I think now is the time to break into A E Housman:

Clunton and Clunbury,
Clungunford and Clun,
Are the quietest places
Under the sun.

and they were. From Clunton we crossed the River and headed back west through Sowdley Woods and on into Woodside, then back across the fields to the cars. By now the frost had given and things were much easier. Then home to the hearth and a good Welsh win in the Six Nations. What better day could we have had? Thank you to Peter SG for his first lead, he counted us out and he counted us back with a grand route inbetween. Pictures in the gallery.

Free Hillwalking advice booklet

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:40:29 +0000

The British Mountaineering Council have just produced a very good new booklet on hill walking – and it’s FREE! It contains sound advice for those new to the hills and a good reminder for the more experienced.

Go to their website advert where you can order it, or view it here via the internet (a PDF file)