Arenig Fawr

[yokehead]

I had been here a couple of weeks ago; having enjoyed it and with another good weather day decided to return with Sarah for her to sample the delights. I also had my mind on a few minor variations to the route I'd taken previously, noted at the time.

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We made an early start from home to make the most of the day and were away from the car just after 9 under glorious blue skies. Along the road and up the track to Llyn Arenig Fawr. On the other side of the lake I spotted a high terrace that I think would be another interesting route up, and a deep slash in the rock that looked like a mine tunnel but isn't.

approaching Llyn Arenig Fawr

zoom of the terrace and slash in the rock

We had a look at the bothy and I was surprised at the number of people who had used it since my last visit, shown in the bothy book. We went back up to the dam and along the wall before climbing up for a second breakfast stop at the place I'd done the same last time.

across the dam

view up from the second breakfast stop

the lake, and terrace just below the hilltop, left

We enjoyed the steeper climb that followed and Sarah agreed the rocky path is good. Across the fences and, just after the point where the path turns sharp left, instead of taking the traverse path we headed up to the ridge top, zigzagging as we went. As we approached the fenceline just before the junction of the northwest ridge, a party of 8 folk appeared and milled about so we let them get ahead before carrying on. We crossed the fence and had a brief stop on a good viewpoint just to the west, letting the big group get to the summit and after more milling about, go out of sight. We made the most of the rocks and mild scrambling opportunities on our way to the summit and it was worthwhile getting to the ridge top earlier than I had last time.

across the second fence toward the ridge

A couple followed us up and we had a good chat before they continued to the south. We went the same way a little later, again making the most of the scrambling.

down the scrambly section

Once down on the ridge plateau we had a lunch stop then carried on along the whole ridge, visiting every high point. Just for fun, not knowing until later the Nuttall tops that I'm not bothered with. It was just good fun meandering along, keeping to the rocks and dry ground and avoiding the soggy parts!

pool on the plateau

across the plateau

looking back to AF

pyramid rock

keep going on the plateau

Just before the fence corner before the ridge drops away we turned west then northwest across tussocky ground but it wasn't too bad. We crossed the stream and just to the north of it found the faint tracks of a buggy which we followed to meet the good track that heads us back. It was wetter than last time after Amnodd-wen. At the small disused quarry we took the old trackway that leads to the large quarry, that I'd planned to take last time. I wish we hadn't bothered! Being raised, I'd expected it to be dry, but there were surprising boggy patches that were a bit of a pain to negotiate. However it led into the heart of the large quarry which was good to see.

the track down, before it deteriorates into wetness

the large quarry