This page is in the progress of construction HILL WALK BLOG 2015
More than half way halfway through and an opportune time to reflect on our Hill Walk Programme, some of the challenges we have faced and some of the views that make it all worthwhile. Once again we have been fortunate with the weather and conditions sand we have not had to cancel any of our planned walks.
So we started the year with Laurence’s walk from Llantony Priory, initially walking South down Offa’s Dyke to before returning up the opposite ridge. Apart from the steep climb immediately behind the Priory which tested those post-Christmas legs to the maximum, the first major challenge of the year was to find somewhere sheltered to have coffee. You can see how desperate we were:
More than half way halfway through and an opportune time to reflect on our Hill Walk Programme, some of the challenges we have faced and some of the views that make it all worthwhile. Once again we have been fortunate with the weather and conditions sand we have not had to cancel any of our planned walks.
So we started the year with Laurence’s walk from Llantony Priory, initially walking South down Offa’s Dyke to before returning up the opposite ridge. Apart from the steep climb immediately behind the Priory which tested those post-Christmas legs to the maximum, the first major challenge of the year was to find somewhere sheltered to have coffee. You can see how desperate we were:
Once back down in the valley, the weather was much warmer and we made our we found our way through the muddiest track we had seen for years! Certainly a day of contrasts.
February saw us walking from Pengenfford, down Mynidd Troed and back over Mynnidd Llangorse, with views of a very full Llangors Lake. Surprisingly, given the cloud cover, it was a dry day with only small remnants of the previous month’s snow in evidence. Although the official walk skirted Mynnid Troed on the return journey, three hardy souls went back over the top (1976ft, though they only had to a climb 800 ft.). The race was on!
February saw us walking from Pengenfford, down Mynidd Troed and back over Mynnidd Llangorse, with views of a very full Llangors Lake. Surprisingly, given the cloud cover, it was a dry day with only small remnants of the previous month’s snow in evidence. Although the official walk skirted Mynnid Troed on the return journey, three hardy souls went back over the top (1976ft, though they only had to a climb 800 ft.). The race was on!
Brian’s walk in March took us to the same area on a lovely Spring Day, when it felt good to be alive! The snow had gone completely as we started from Cwm Du to climb over Pen Tir to Mynydd Llangorse, returning through the valley to give a walk of great variety. Brian’s photo diary of the walk is below.
In April, Gordon changed the focus from the Black Mountains and Brecons to the Quantocks with a walk from Holford. 30 Members and Guests turned out on a beautiful , if windy , day – the largest turnout I had seen for a Hill Walk (though I am told not the largest ever). Walkers were well rewarded with views across the Bristol Channel.
May saw Allen take us back to the Brecons to lead a challenging, largely “off piste” walk from the Storey Arms, walking on the opposite side of the A470 from Pen Y Fan, but with wonderful views of it for much of the day. Again the weather was beautiful for walking. Allen tested our sense of balance by crossing a stream on a beam: some successfully sought an alternative stepping stone crossing; and someone found an even more challenging solution. (and yes even in May the water was freezing!).
In July, Peter again took us away from the Blacks and Brecons to lead an innovative walk in Wales’s industrial heartland near Bridgend. Unfortunately, I missed this walk due to a commitment to a Bowls Tournament. The Walkers won – I lost.
In August, Kay took us back to the Black Mountains with the Longest walk of the year so far – 12.75 miles. Despite a less than optimistic forecast, the rain managed to stay off until the very end of the walk – when thunder and lightning accompanied the very heavy rain. The walk took as from the car park at Blaen y Cwm (by the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir) across the ridge to Capel Y Fin (where we were the “advance guard” of a group of pilgrims expected that afternoon at the old priory) up the valley to Lord Hereford’s Knob (Twmpa)and back over Waun Fach and Pen Y Gadair Fawr.
In July, Peter again took us away from the Blacks and Brecons to lead an innovative walk in Wales’s industrial heartland near Bridgend. Unfortunately, I missed this walk due to a commitment to a Bowls Tournament. The Walkers won – I lost.
In August, Kay took us back to the Black Mountains with the Longest walk of the year so far – 12.75 miles. Despite a less than optimistic forecast, the rain managed to stay off until the very end of the walk – when thunder and lightning accompanied the very heavy rain. The walk took as from the car park at Blaen y Cwm (by the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir) across the ridge to Capel Y Fin (where we were the “advance guard” of a group of pilgrims expected that afternoon at the old priory) up the valley to Lord Hereford’s Knob (Twmpa)and back over Waun Fach and Pen Y Gadair Fawr.
We now look forward to the last three walks of the year with keen anticipation
