Thursday, 31 December 2009
Last walk of the year
A New Years Eve walk in snow and ice! What better, invigorating end to the year?
We set out early this morning and headed towards the Beacons with a few routes in mind. What we hadn't planned on was the amount of snow on some of the side roads. The road from Pontsticill towards Taf Fechan Forest started off okay, but become more snow laden as we drove North. We eventually (after getting stuck temporarily in a small car park south of the Neuadd reservoirs) settled on parking at the north end of Pontsticill reservoir. We then decided to take a route up onto a hill that neither of us had been up before, Pant-y-Creigiau - not particularly high at 565m but it meant we were beneath the clouds and there were some great views.
On the map at least, it didn't look a particularly taxing route, but it turned out to be tough going due to the conditions, both underfoot and the relentless wind on the exposed sections.
As well as snow, everything was encrusted with ice - the trees, the grass, the trig point, my face! It really was quite picturesque. A real enjoyable walk to end the year with.
Now, please excuse me, I have an appointment with 15 bottles of cold Budweiser.
We set out early this morning and headed towards the Beacons with a few routes in mind. What we hadn't planned on was the amount of snow on some of the side roads. The road from Pontsticill towards Taf Fechan Forest started off okay, but become more snow laden as we drove North. We eventually (after getting stuck temporarily in a small car park south of the Neuadd reservoirs) settled on parking at the north end of Pontsticill reservoir. We then decided to take a route up onto a hill that neither of us had been up before, Pant-y-Creigiau - not particularly high at 565m but it meant we were beneath the clouds and there were some great views.
On the map at least, it didn't look a particularly taxing route, but it turned out to be tough going due to the conditions, both underfoot and the relentless wind on the exposed sections.
As well as snow, everything was encrusted with ice - the trees, the grass, the trig point, my face! It really was quite picturesque. A real enjoyable walk to end the year with.
Now, please excuse me, I have an appointment with 15 bottles of cold Budweiser.
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Boxing Day blowout
Finally got back out onto the Brecon Beacons for a walk today, boxing day, to burn the turkey off and enjoy the.....f***ing rain! After over a week of freezing temps and snow, it decides to warm up and rain. Still, walkers don't moan about a little precipitation, do they? Managed to try out a few xmas pressies too - a Lowe Alpine Hat, sealskin gloves and the old Gorillapod! All performed admirably, apart from the hat making me look like a complete dork. I think that's more to do with my face than the product though.
Nicholls, his son Henry and their gorgeous 15 week old Speagle (a cross between a Spaniel and a Beagle!) called Lily, were the company. We did a simple 'up to Corn Du from the Storey Arms and back' which was enough for both Dog (not me, the 4 legged one) and Henry. The winds were freezing on top and the poor dog was shivering so she got wrapped up in a fleece and carried along.
A few pics.
Nicholls, his son Henry and their gorgeous 15 week old Speagle (a cross between a Spaniel and a Beagle!) called Lily, were the company. We did a simple 'up to Corn Du from the Storey Arms and back' which was enough for both Dog (not me, the 4 legged one) and Henry. The winds were freezing on top and the poor dog was shivering so she got wrapped up in a fleece and carried along.
A few pics.
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