A 2-day circuit of the eastern Arenigs from Llanuwchllyn to visit a couple of new 500m Dewey hills, a quick trip conceived at short notice with little planning required and some new landscape to explore. The outward route approaches through the forest of Y Lordship and the return is via Blaen Lliw and the bridleway traversing Ffridd Trawsgoed.
The clarity was excellent on the first day giving pin-sharp landscapes and distant clear views, culminating in a superb night at Moel Llyfnant, the third time I’ve pitched here. A haze developed overnight and the light breeze died completely by dawn, prompting a very swift striking of camp to mitigate a midge onslaught and a fast return to base. The area was deserted for the whole trek.
16 Comments
That looks a stunning route. And, great photos, as usual, too: Do you use a polzarizing filter?
Superb pics there Geoff. You’re making me miss Wales immensely. Thankfully I’m off to the Brecons for a break in a week or so.
Have to say, what I really like about your website and trip reports is the love for the landscape that shines through. No matter where you are - it’s that love for the land that acts as a beacon to other backpackers, mate. Always good to widen the horizons.
Roddy,
Routes around Arenig Fawr have been constant favourites for a long time, but I’ll give hills like Foel Boeth and its environs a miss in future!.
Yes, we use a circular polarizer on our DSLR in sunny or very bright conditions, it retains richer colours.
Terry,
Thanks very much. The landscape presents a whole range of aspects in all its moods and different conditions, especially around dawn and dusk as it wakes and settles down in the low-angled light (very well captured by your good self in the Peak recently).
A tour de force, Geoff. Quite wonderful. Fabulous pictures and beautifully written, as always. Your site really is the benchmark we should all aspire to.
Alan,
Thanks a lot, a wonderful pocket of Wales that we never tire of. I struggle to find new ways of expressing the essence of backpacking this fine country, it becomes more of a brain dump lately!.
An interesting walk Geoff - to think I’ve driven past there en-route to the more popular walks before. Did you see anyone else out there?
Was going to ask if you’d gone by train - until I looked more closely at where the railway station actually was!
Geoff, Been following for a while but this is my first comment, cracking photos as usual.
PhilW,
Nobody else at all, totally deserted the whole time. We only use the train for linear walks, I’m looking at some possibilities for more of those. The only train at Llanuwchllyn is the Bala Lake railway, which I’ve never actually seen, come to think of it.
PhilR,
Welcome, thanks very much.
Another nice expedition there, as usual great photos. Hopefully now that I’ve got my first wild camp out of the way I’ll be doing more in the future and definitely have my eye on some trips to Wales in the future.
Matt,
Thanks Matt, good to hear about your first wild pitch. You should love the really wild parts of Wales.
Matt - you’ll find plenty to help inspire you on the V&G website. I can see from your website you’ve been doing lots of day walks. I find that doing wild camping can be a far more leisurely affair (though for loads of people that’s not necessarily the case). I just find it tricky to get the time to fit things in - hence the enjoyment in seeing what others have been up to.
I was thinking when you would get a good weather window and go backpacking Geoff. You got a fine trip there. Sadly with fine summer weather you get the midge issues. Never mind. Berries on trees here and some brown in the leaves as well. Soon by fantastic colder weather to go out in the hills.
Martin,
An excellent short trip that, despite a couple of itchy lumps by the end. Spring and Autumn are my favourite times of year for backpacking, although the year is whizzing by at a frightening rate and Autumn is not far off now.
Geoff, you always have the best photos. Make my hiking scenes look pathetic.lol.
Great trip Geoff - I was up on Arenig Fawr and Moel Lyfnant a couple of weeks back (http://surfnslide.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/arenigs-circuit-long-overdue/). I remember looking at where you pitched on the summit and thinking what a top spot it was for a wild camp!
Cheers
Andy
Andy,
We’ve pitched up there a few times, a superb view at dawn and dusk if you’re lucky.