Pen Y Fan

[skuk007]

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Just got back from a damp miserable day in the Brecon Beacons.

The plan was to go up Pen Y Fan from the north side then drop down to the flat bit between Pen Y Fan and Cribyn, skirt the side of Cribyn, then go up Cribyn from the steep north side - looking to work the legs a bit!

However, when I got up to Pen Y Fan the full force of the wind hit me. It was blowing from the south so I didn't really get the full effect until on the summit. I started the descent to Cribyn but didn't get very far. The water running off Pen Y Fan was being blown back upwards and the rain on this side was blowing horizontal right into my face. I had had my waterproofs on from the time I got out the car and by now my trusty waterproof boots had sprung a leak. Wasn't having a lot of fun so decided to call it a day.

Due to the rain I didn't take my camera out the bag once. Not that it would have made much difference as I couldn't see a thing bacause of the clouds anyway. Hurried back to the car (took less than an hour from the summit!) for a cuppa as there was no decent places to stop in these conditions.

Slipped on my backside a couple of times on the muddy grass so must remember not to rush too much.

Here's a picture of what it's like on a better day.

[wurzel]

Not the weather for it this week. I'm itching to get out myself, but over here it's been wet and windy even at sea level, so I'm giving it a miss. Had a trip to the hills of the Radnor Forest last week, though. That's a nice green shot of Cribyn!

[gary m]

i walk the brecon beacons quite often and the best route is from bailea up cribyn then over to pen y fan, if you want details of the route i will post it for you

[mountain coward]

That's a lovely pic of it on a good day anyway - they're beautiful mountains aren't they? I was wondering why you'd only done one of the three until I read the weather you were having! I've always wanted to try that steep narrow nose of Cribyn - if you do it, take some piccies and let us know what it's like...

[skuk007]

Hi MC - same day as the other pic, I had been up the north side of Cribyn. It's not as narrow as it looks from other angles but it is incredibly steep. The path I wanted to take the other day skirts around the middle of it, you can just see someone on it in this pic.

[mountain coward]

It does look steep going up the ridge - quite fancy having a bash though! Thanks for the photo

[gary m]

i have been up that route a few times and it is the best route in the beacons. i will be going up there sunday so will take some photos. i was up there this winter in snow just had to watch my footing as it was slippery should have had crampons on