Southern Black Mountains from Abergavenny

[trickeyja]

I had a very enjoyable walk yesterday on the Black Mountains from Abergavenny. In need of an escape from uni revision, I got the train to Abergavenny and set off into the hills. There is something really special about the Black Mountains. They are serenely peaceful and in the most part much less frequently visited than the neighbouring Brecon Beacons, but still have plenty of character with deep, sweeping valleys and rounded hilltops. First of all I set off over Deri, on the eastern flank of the Sugarloaf, a c.400m high ridge with fine views to the east. A speedy climb over Crug Mawr then took me to the slopes of Pen Cerrig Calch, which I climbed in an unorthodox way, cutting straight up the mountainside rather than sticking to the main path. Despite the MetOffice weather forecast of dry, sunny weather, the Brecon Beacons National Park microclimate was at work ensuring heavy showers at times, but it wouldn't be Wales without the rain, would it?! At the summit of Pen Allt-Mawr I paused for lunch, where I was accosted by a very tame sheep and its lamb, which were after food. I gave it some ready salted Kettle Chips! Spectacular views ensued whilst skirting the western edge of the hills over Pen Gloch-y-pibwr and onto Pen Cerrig-Calch. I then descended into Crickhowell for the bus to Abergavenny. All in all an exhilarating day - see pictures below

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View to Sugarloaf from Deri


View from NE flanks of Sugarloaf


View North(ish) from Crug Mawr


Crug Mawr trig




View from slopes of Pen Cerrig-calch/Pen Allt-mawr


Sheep in Pen Allt-mawr summit wind shelter


Pen Gloch-y-pibwr summit cairn


View from western slopes of Pen Cerrig-calch




View back to Sugarloaf


View from slopes of Pen Cerrig-calch to Crickhowell


View towards Table Mountain from slopes of Pen Cerrig-Calch

[canisp]

A beautiful set of photos trickeyja, i love the vivid colours and good contrast , thanks for sharing.

[skuk007]

Nice set of pics trickeyja, I was in the Brecons on Saturday and it was very windy on the approach to Corn Du. It stayed dry all day until we were in the car on the way home but then you were out twice as long as us.

[poppiesrara]

Really stunning photos, Trickey, and a pretty daunting length of walk for one day... perhaps it's a bit easier when you're still uni age!

Great stuff.

[ChrisW]

beautiful photo's - I love the one of the sheep at the summit.. helluva long walk though for one day (well for me it would be )

[trickeyja]

Thanks everyone

It was an excellent escape from the usual routine. The train tickets weren't cheap, and it was too long since I'd last visited Wales, so I thought a long day's walk would make the most of it. I had visited all the hills before - the Sugarloaf several times - but last time I was on Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch was on an overcast January day a few years ago, with temperatures of about 1C, gale force winds and thick fog on the summits (which cleared after I'd descended)! So a return visit was necessary to actually see the views from the ridge Here are a few pictures from the earlier visit:

Climbing up Pen Cerrig-calch


Looking back from Crug Mawr to Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch


Crug Mawr summit


Table mountain from Crug Mawr