Walking the Welsh Moelwyns
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:36 pmJust back from four days in Snowdonia, Wales.
Walked in the Moelwyns. A small range of hills and mountains to the East of the ever popular Snowdon.
Apart from Cnicht, the "Welsh Matterhorn", I had those days mostly to myself. And even on Cnicht I had the steep summit rock pyramid and summit to myself because severe gale force winds saw others turn back: one benefit of being a "Fat Ass" is that it takes one very large gale to blow me off my feet!
Don't really understand why the Moelwyns are always so quiet. Yes. There are many remains from the days of the slate quarries. You can only think of the hardships the miners in days gone by had to endure getting up to and staying at their their place of work.
And descending Moelwyn Bach on Monday I encountered what I believe is the most beautiful vista I have seen anywhere. Back on the gated farm road, but still quite high up I had a foreground of Welsh slate walls, little farms and trees. With the tremendous and sun lit backdrop of the entire heart of Snowdonia. From Cnicht round past the Snowdon Horsehoe, Yr Garn, (one of many!), the Nantle ridge and on round to Moel Hebog.
I took a couple of photos but could not do justice to that view.
As I descended that lane I stopped two mountain cyclists slowly gaining height. "Please stop at the top of the climb, about a hundred yards short of that small wood. Then look back behind you. It's just wonderful". Had to make sure they didn't miss it.
That walk had been very hard indeed. My mystery bug struck as I started out, (I'm seeing my doctor about it again at present), but I don't let it beat me. The route up Moelwyn Bach was the easiest mountain track I've ever used. But the drop down from the summit to a narrow pass was very steep on slaty scree with a damp surface. I was at my limit, the bug having taken all my strength and some of my judgement. I admit to sliding some of it on my ass! Stupidly I tried to scramble the crag opposite the small pass, but sanity returned as I faltered on a difficult section that would see me at my limit even when I am fully fit. So I sat and had a snack. Then summoned all remaining energy to climb back up to the summit of Moelwyn Bach on that slippery scree track. Hard work but I then had that lovely and every so easy downhill wander with stupendous views. Rather than the boggy track from the small pass I had climbed back up from.
For anyone in the area looking for that view. Go to the hamlet of Croesor, the starting poiint for the classic route up Cnicht. At the crossroads take the narrow lane signposed Tan-y Bwlch. Very soon you have to open, (and close behind you!), two gates across the road. The lane climbs steeply, and approaches a small wood. About a 100 yards before the wood, just stop and turn around to face the way you have come. But please only go there when there is a low afternoon sun and no mist around.
Walked in the Moelwyns. A small range of hills and mountains to the East of the ever popular Snowdon.
Apart from Cnicht, the "Welsh Matterhorn", I had those days mostly to myself. And even on Cnicht I had the steep summit rock pyramid and summit to myself because severe gale force winds saw others turn back: one benefit of being a "Fat Ass" is that it takes one very large gale to blow me off my feet!
Don't really understand why the Moelwyns are always so quiet. Yes. There are many remains from the days of the slate quarries. You can only think of the hardships the miners in days gone by had to endure getting up to and staying at their their place of work.
And descending Moelwyn Bach on Monday I encountered what I believe is the most beautiful vista I have seen anywhere. Back on the gated farm road, but still quite high up I had a foreground of Welsh slate walls, little farms and trees. With the tremendous and sun lit backdrop of the entire heart of Snowdonia. From Cnicht round past the Snowdon Horsehoe, Yr Garn, (one of many!), the Nantle ridge and on round to Moel Hebog.
I took a couple of photos but could not do justice to that view.
As I descended that lane I stopped two mountain cyclists slowly gaining height. "Please stop at the top of the climb, about a hundred yards short of that small wood. Then look back behind you. It's just wonderful". Had to make sure they didn't miss it.
That walk had been very hard indeed. My mystery bug struck as I started out, (I'm seeing my doctor about it again at present), but I don't let it beat me. The route up Moelwyn Bach was the easiest mountain track I've ever used. But the drop down from the summit to a narrow pass was very steep on slaty scree with a damp surface. I was at my limit, the bug having taken all my strength and some of my judgement. I admit to sliding some of it on my ass! Stupidly I tried to scramble the crag opposite the small pass, but sanity returned as I faltered on a difficult section that would see me at my limit even when I am fully fit. So I sat and had a snack. Then summoned all remaining energy to climb back up to the summit of Moelwyn Bach on that slippery scree track. Hard work but I then had that lovely and every so easy downhill wander with stupendous views. Rather than the boggy track from the small pass I had climbed back up from.
For anyone in the area looking for that view. Go to the hamlet of Croesor, the starting poiint for the classic route up Cnicht. At the crossroads take the narrow lane signposed Tan-y Bwlch. Very soon you have to open, (and close behind you!), two gates across the road. The lane climbs steeply, and approaches a small wood. About a 100 yards before the wood, just stop and turn around to face the way you have come. But please only go there when there is a low afternoon sun and no mist around.
). What's up next? Munros?
