free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
aka The Beast From the East vs The Pest From the West (Midlands)
I was looking at my South Wales remaining Hewitts and wondered which ones to do on a half day excursion in what promised to be rather 'Polar' conditions. MWIS promised windchill in excess of -20C so remembering the struggle I had in the bogs of the Waun Fach horseshoe and the fact I descended without completing the last two it would seem ideal conditions!
Throwing in a quick ascent of Twmpa from Gospel Pass on my way down from the Midlands made it seem like a worthwhile journey.
Part One - Half hour run up Twmpa and back.Thanking myself lucky that whilst it was -6C - the Gospel Pass was remarkably ice free, this route was a simple case of following a very easy gradient obvious pass to the top. Sticking to the edge of the escarpment, it was pleasant despite the strengthening wind! Up and down in no time; and another one turned blue. And being a HMHB fan - no guesses to what song was going around my head all the time!
Jake getting buffeted on top of Twmpa.Part Two - Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calchLast time I was amongst the Waun Fach horseshoe, it rained consistently for 8 hours and most of the day was spent knee deep in black peaty sludge. As such, I bypassed the last two and had an long lasting bad memory of the place.
How different today was! Following a clear path from 'the bend in the road' heading towards Crug Hywel (aka Table Mountain) and then diverting to Pen Cerrig-calch, the rock hard ground was an absolute pleasure to follow up to the surprisingly rocky top. However the wind was getting stronger and stronger, and whilst the ground conditions were perfect it was getting tricky to stay on the feet! Super views through the haze to the main Brecon Beacons, ensured the drop down and 'climb' back up to Pen Allt-Mawr was a stroll.
The wind was now strong enough to blow me over a couple of times - and I'm not a lightweight, so I didn't hang about on the reasonably sharp descent of Pen Allt-Mawr.
Whilst the 1:25000 shows an obvious path back down to the valley, there is no sign of it on the ground so it was up to the minor top of Pen Twyn Glas (a Nuttall) and then follow the ridge back all the way to the car following the obvious signs through the farm land.
All in all 10 miles in the Black Mountains and my boots were as clean as they were at the start - result!
The other side of the Waun Fach horseshoeSugarloaf from the route up to Table Mountain. South Wales via Brazil and South Africa!Brecon Beacons from Pen Cerrig-calchWaun Fach and co.View from Pen Allt-MawrWondering how this tree could grow so big and strong in the conditions!