free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
A return to Cadair Idris to bag a couple more of its Hewitts after a spectacular day climbing Cyfrwy in February. This is a classic horseshoe walk starting at the Minfford car park.
Approaching Llyn Cau
The steep ascent through the woods is a bit brutal but the conditions were fine (if a little cold for the time of year) and I was enjoying every step. I passed only two walkers on my way up towards Llyn Cau where I paused for a moment to soak in the incredibly peaceful atmosphere. The path doesn't approach the shore line but it's worth a short detour to take a look. This cwm must be one of the most perfect and beautiful in the country.
Llyn Cau
Llyn Cau
Llyn Cau
Another steep climb up towards Craig Cwm Amarch where I stopped for a drink and a bite to eat before catching my first glimpse of fighter jets blasting round the nearby Mach Loop. I would see several more during the day. They were F-16s so probably USAF or Belgian Air Force.
Cyfrwy - scene of February's adventure
It's an easy walk over to Penygader where I was glad of the summit shelter for a lunch stop. While conditions were clear and sunny it was cold and fairly windy up top. In fact I reckon the air temperature was probably slightly colder than when I climbed Tower Ridge back in March! The more time I spend in the hills the more I realise that you can really notice when the weather is coming in from the north - the cold just bites.
Summit
ShelterI moved on to Mynydd Moel where there is a rough, open shelter by a cairn. Here I had to weigh my options. I'd planned to tag on the final Hewitt, Gau Craig but my legs were feeling tired and on the first steps of the descent my knees were feeling the first pangs of ITB pain so I decided to head directly back to the car. Gau Craig will wait for another day. It was the right call because by the end of the descent my ITB was complaining loudly.
Looking west on the steep descent from Mynydd Moel
After months without a murmur from my knees this was the only downer on an otherwise great day in the hills. Given that I'm committed to a trip to the Alps at the end of the summer I will take last Tuesday's knee niggles as a warning to back off for a few weeks before resuming with a more organised strength and stretching programme, which seemed to do the trick last year.
Cadair Idris is fast becoming my favourite mountain. It's shapely, steep, rugged, right next to the sea but only a couple of hours in the car from the West Midlands. I'm glad I left Gau Craig as now I have an excuse to return!
