A short 2-day trek of the hills and lakes north of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The outward line is a new route to Moel Penamnen, ascending through the valley of the Afon Hafod-llian and approaching the summit via the broad north-east ridge.
The second part ascends Foel-fras and crosses southwards to Llyn Bowydd for an easy descent to Blaenau via the maze of quarry tracks above the town.
The first trip of 2025 after a long winter layoff, combined with health issues including an intractable foot problem and a marked drop in fitness, required a short adaptable route with good options. As it turned out, this trip was very instructive and we took the shortest option for the second day. Slackpacking is a term we have sometimes coined for a very relaxed and modest approach to backpacking, it seems this will be the new modus operandi from now on.
The weather in the last couple of weeks had been striking: clear blue skies but with quite strong cold winds in the hills. We just caught the last two days of clear conditions when the wind had subsided and the days were very warm, an excellent and enjoyable first trip of the year.
I don’t mind a slack pack these days. Just being out is a bonus. I have actually done the first day of that hike Geoff. It’s a lovely area.
Thanks Alan, it’s a fine little-walked region with many route options.
I totally agree, this trip was quite a revelation in that respect. It was hard at first to accept a really big drop in capability but we’re ok with it now: short relaxed routes and being grateful to be out there.
Great to see you out again. Having just discovered this region last year using your past descriptions I know it is not easy country. Slackpacking may be an underestimation!
Thank you for another great post.
Thanks Steve, this trip was a much needed tonic.
The Manods area finds little favour generally, maybe due to the extensive quarrying, but there is much to appreciate and it should be good for more trips soon.
Good to see you two back out Geoff. Great photos as usual. I haven’t been near the hills since May 23 when I bivvy camped at Bera Bach in the Carneddau for a single memorable night. I’m a very keen competitive runner and very reluctant to miss any training. But your photos have spurred on to do a trip soon. All the best.
Thanks very much Steve I, excellent clarity for the photos.
Bera Bach – now there’s a fine choice for a bivvy, in fact that general area is on our radar for a pitch in the future. We can only wonder how people can run up and down mountains at all!
Only one medical appointment this week, time to fit in a trip in the forecast good weather.