A Windy Wetherlam

Alastair BegleyWalking Short Link

Due to a very windy forecast we elected to have a short walk on Saturday which enabled us to have a lie in and then head up to Wetherlam after enjoying brunch in Coniston. We walked through the Coppermines and up to Levers Water. The cloud base was hovering around the summits during this walk which gave us some lovely views, however the light was very challenging for photography. Unfortunately the weather closed in as we approached the col before the final ridge up to the summit. After a quick summit selfie in the strong winds we made a hasty descent back down the other side of the mountain. As we dropped below the cloud base we have fantastic views over Coniston Water and the southern Lake District.

Waun Rydd from Talybont Reservoir

Alastair BegleyWinter Walking Short Link

After the recent snow we were keen to get out into the mountains. With an excellent forecast we decided to head over to the Brecon Beacons and climb up to the Waun Rydd plateau. We decided on this route as we hadn’t climbed up this side of the Pen y Fan massive before, so thought it would provide some new viewpoints. After a slow start which involved ascent on a road and then through a forrest, we were treated to a lovely climb up to Pen y Bryn with fantastic views back towards the Black Mountains and of our descent route. Once we got to the top of Pen y Bryn we had a brilliant view of Fan y Big and Cribyn. This view just kept getting better as we climbed up to the plateau. As we climbed the wind kept getting stronger, and it was a very cold wind! After traversing the plateau via the crash memorial site we found a cairn to hide behind to provide some limited shelter for some lunch. The last bit across the plateau to the descent was a bit of a slog, but. Read the full article…

Sunrise from the Cat’s Back

Alastair BegleyLandscape Short Link

My parents live just below the Black Mountains in Herefordshire, and they are lucky enough to have one of the best ridges in South Wales on their doorstep. On a map it just looks like a small spur on the edge of the Black Mountains, which I suppose it is but it more than makes up for it as it is a superb ridge with fantastic views to the north over the Golden Valley and to the south of Offa’s Dyke. After the recent snow, and with an excellent forecast for the next morning it seemed like a good opportunity to get out and try and capture the ridge during sunrise. Due to the snow getting to the start of the ridge was challenging and involved the snow chains, but it was certainly worth it.

Skirrid

Alastair BegleyWalking Short Link

Due to a very windy forecast we decided to head out for a short walk at a relatively low altitude, as even on the summit of Sugar Loaf the wind was 40mph gusting to 60mph. We decided to head up the small peak of Skirrid, which is to the east of the Black Mountains, and as it turns out has a fantastic view of Sugar Loaf and the Black Mountains. The walk around the base was pleasant, but a bit breezy. As we ascended up the steep north ridge it got progressively more windy, until about 10m below the summit. At this point the wind became exceedingly strong, to the point that standing up was very difficult! After a very quick walk down the south ridge we were back at the car in time to go for Sunday lunch at the Skirrid Inn.