A very wet and windy week in Snowdonia, exploring some of the mining areas and 4 planned mountain walks. Some of us stayed at the Oakeley Arms and Oakeley Arms cottages and others stayed near by. Monday We all met in Betws-y-coed for a visit to the Rohan shop and other outdoor shops. Then met near Tanygrisiau to travel in the Bryn Walking minibus to the parking area to start the Incline Quarry Walk up to Llyn Cwmorthin. The incline is a stoney and steep ascent with a tunnel for the last bit of about 30 dark and slippery metres! We all had head torches and everybody achieved the tunnel without any problem - what an achievement, well done everyone. The way down to the Cwmorthin area was loose and care had to be taken. We then found that the footpath was closed that crossed the stream by the plantation so we crossed the stream safely to meet Alan and Andrea who were on the other side. An exciting afternoon to begin our week in snowdonia. Tuesday Rhinog - Fach approaching from the east. The weather forecast was against us so we didn't hold out much hope for reaching the top. A straight forward start from the forestry to the near the cairn where the Cambrian Way runs down into Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, the bwlch between Fach and Fawr. from here we took the Cambrian Way as we had done on a previous visit. It is steep, rocky and thick heather lines the edges of the narrow path, but it is fairly easy and exciting. The forecast was worsening so we had already decided that it wouldn't be a summit day but to keep going to the plateau and then find a path that would contour round to the access above the lake, Llyn Hywel. It's quite bouldery around the lake to get to the top of the path that would take use back down into Bwlch Drws Ardudwy. A great mountain day, experiencing some challenging elements. Wednesday Alan and I both led a walk to give the participants a choice so that they could have an easier day. I planned to do Molwyn Mawr, Alan was catching the train from Tan y Bwlch to Tanygrisiau and walking back to the Oakeley Arms. Again the weather wasn't favourable so I took the decision on reaching Bwlch Stwlan that it wouldn't be the summit this time and we took the old track, in the lee of the strong winds, to the 566m spot height in-between Moelwyn Mawr and Moel-yr-hydd. On reaching the spot height we were then suddenly exposed to the wind and we all nearly got blown over (on safe ground!). We made our way down to Cwmorthin mining village where we had lunch out of the wind. We had just finished when it started to chuck it down. The foot path that I chose petered out so we decided to take the main track, that Louise was familiar with, down to Llyn Cwmorthin. Another very interesting day hampered by the weather. Alan's walk Helen had suggested that I led a lower level walk on the Wednesday so, with Lou and Eileen, we boarded the 1120 Ffestiniog narrow gauge train at Tan-y-Bwlch and alighted at Tanygrisiau. After a short spell in the cafe the three of us set off for the Oakley Arms. As Lou and Eileen are booked on Hill Skills with Helen I gave them the opportunity to navigate us back to the Oakley Arms which they did to a high standard. Our route roughly followed the railway line but accurate navigation was required once we left the railway for the descent to the Oakley Arms. Thursday Rhinog Fawr approaching from the east. I decided to park further into the forestry this time to shorten the walk in. The winds were strong again today and lower cloud than we'd seen all week so not much intention of reaching the top. Much of the path up to the top of the Roman Steps (that come in from the west) in Bwlch Tyddiad, was flooded but only shallow water. Then a path to take us up to Llyn Du. We stopped quickly here for something to eat in the wind and rain before heading back down. We decided to go back to our accommodation before venturing out again to investigated the visitors centre at Coed y Brenin. Maybe next time we'll actually get to the summit - the mountains wait for us! Friday Just me and Andrea today to venture on to Rhobell Fawr - and we made it right to the top. The walk begins with a beautiful woodland path on an old track, very steady. Despite the rain and the wind it wasn't too bad once actually in the clouds. It is a fairly easy walk, handrailing a stone wall that takes you more or less to the summit. No visibility at the top, so using the compass we quickly came down to the wall again for our descent, using the same way down. It was so windy up there, I tried to take a selfie but only managed a screen shot. Thank you to all participants for bearing up and being brave in the conditions that we faced - it wasn't easy.
'til next time!
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