Yes I know John well. He was highly amused one year when I detoured off to 'tick' the BS summit before it became part of the route.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I think the deep snow year was the first year I did it :o
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Yes I know John well. He was highly amused one year when I detoured off to 'tick' the BS summit before it became part of the route.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I think the deep snow year was the first year I did it :o
But I got my second chance in my Snowdon to Pumlumon solo run when I did 12 large hills including Maen Du.
This sounds interesting, have you got a route you could share?
Was it you I ran some of it with the one year, you showed me the 'shortcut' where we dropped off the Craig Portas - BS ridge (West side) to pick up a forestry ride contour to the head of the valley below Waun-Oer.Quote:
Originally Posted by lawriej
Only you missed the ride and we ended up at the bottom of the valley and had to climb all the way back up again :(.
It was a long and hard run. It linked the three chief mountains of Wales, Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pumlumon. I started at Pen-y-Pass and finished at Nant-y-Moch dam. I had left my car at the finish and was transported to Pen-y-Pass by a friend, who also met me a couple of times en route. I only counted 12 of the largest hills along the route. I will dig out the schedule tonight and put it in the forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Big Fella
Yiannis
Here is some detail of my Snowdon to Pumlumon run for SBF and anyone else interested.
For more details pm me please.
SNOWDON TO PUMLUMON
A challenge accomplished solo on 24/25 May 2003.
(hh:mm)
Pen-y-pass
1 Snowdon 01:00
Nant Gwynant (A498) 00:49
2 Cnicht 01:08
3 Moelwyn Mawr 00:55
A 496 (694436) 00:39
4 Manod Mawr 01:03
A 4212 (800384) 02:00
5 Arenig Fawr 00:56
Pont Rhyd-Sarn, A494 (859287) 01:38
6 Aran Fawddwy 02:18
7 Glasgwm 01:14
A 470 (825163) 00:53
8 Maen Du 00:55
9 Waun - oer 01:11
A 487 (757139) 00:40
10 Cadair Idris (Pen y Gadair) 01:34
B 4405 (730113) 00:45
11 Tarren y Gesail 01:49
A 493 (741018) 01:00
12 Pen Pumlumon Fawr 04:01
Nant-y-moch resr dam (756861)00:41
Total: 27:09:00
Yiannis
Here is a route map.
Yiannis
Thanks Yiannis. An awesome route.
this thread seems as good a place as any to ask if anybody knows if a date has been fixed for next year's Rhinog Horseshoe race?
(I tried emailing the organiser, but no reply)
I know I'm a bit "previous", but I'm really keen to get this one inked onto the Slug Family Calendar :o
oh, and I'm thinking of recceing the Rhinog route soon - I know it overlaps only a tiny bit of the MR, but it's a start! ;)
At the WFRA AGM I think I heard Ross Powell say that the Rhinog horseshoe was not on next year. I forgot to doublecheck though. I will find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug
Yiannis
That's a real petty, if it's through lack of race organisers we'd be willing to take it on. I'll email Ross.
There's very few longs in Snowdonia as it is. I've still not ctually done the race either.
AAARRGH! Nooooooo...!Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
I'm still going to recce it :p
hopefully it'll be on one way or another
how about I promise to help marshal it in 2011 in return for being able to run it in 2010? :D
re Rhinog Horseshoe Race
got an email from the RO confirming it's not going ahead in 2010 http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/...ing_smiley.gif http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/...ing_smiley.gif http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/...ing_smiley.gif
Iain - is it possible that Eryri could take it on?
I'm out in Australia at the moment but will look into it when I get back after xmas. Be a pity to let the race go.
Yes it was :o:o:oQuote:
Originally Posted by molehill
Didn't the three of us run most of the LDWA Berwyn Mountain Walk in Y2K too?
Yes, struggling to keep up with John as usual :(. Enjoyed that route as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by lawriej
Ah I wondered why the trod looks rather fresh! I spent an hour or so there Sat pm, trimming some gorse and brambles. Then as it grew dark I did the route up and off the summit by half-moonlight.Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR
Attached image shows the route (roughly - it's been shifted a few m during the translation from GPS to Anquet and back to KML, but the underlying image is good enough to see where the route actually goes)
1. from the sheepfold / gate (bottom R), I've decided to take the trod W then N. The more direct line works in the daylight but not so well (for me) in the dark
2. the narrow gorsy trod up to the wall (middle of pic) shows as a dark green line. Pass R of some rocks (ruin?) and follow the wall R for 5m to where a boulder allows an easyish climb over the wall. N side of wall a trod thru bracken leads in 10m to the foot of the boulder slope. This is followed up to R, heading for an oak tree. The boulders run out just before the oak: trend R slightly here to find a narrow trod thru heather and sparse gorse to the the oak tree. NB if any significant gorse is encountered on the ascent, you're off the best line.
3. above the oak, various trods zigzag up brackeny gully (mostly best to keep L).
4. where the gully opens out and gradient eases, bear L: good trod.
5. various paths bear R toward summit. The one I favour takes off from a cairn (single rock on a boulder), making an easy beeline for the summit
6. Descent off Garn G: 300ish bearing leads to steep crag at a point where a broken-down wall descends (small cairn). Descend on N side of this, slanting R on grass, then directly downhill to corner of tall intact wall, following it to gate (Yiannis used to hop over this - before the barbed wire was fixed on top I assume)
Details of Lawrie's and my Dduallt - Rhobell recce today to follow ...
LawrieJ and I had another go at finding a directish line thru the forest between these summits.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
The various routes are shown on the attached GE image:
1. Thick blue: this is based on Yiannis's route, but modified to take a beeline across the clear fall (better terrain than trying to follow the old trashed ride S then W), to the stone post (Post Carreg or is it Carreg Post) where the various lines meet. Then W along a track to cross a stream/ditch, then angle up a moderately brashy slope to reach open grass leading up Rhobell Fawr. We trimmed some branches off fallen trees along the ride - fairly runnable (in May, less so in July). Descending back E thru the forest after Rh Fawr, we spent some time trimming branches to reclaim the trod which follows the vegetation boundary.
2. Magenta - forest edge, L onto short open ride, the forest road. Good terrain but 50m extra ascent
3. Yellow/white: Yiannis's route except he went S from Carreg Post for one more block (wasn't clear fall in those days) before heading up (30m extra ascent)
4. Green - follows the Nuttalls' path SSW from Ddualt, follows small stream into forst to reach a ride system. Reasonable trods but 30m extra ascent and not great running. Again the GPS track is shifted relative to the background but the rides are obvious on the GE image.
5. Red - I believe this may be the Nuttalls' route? Pretty good running throughout but a long way round. After 15 hours shortest is best (for me).
I think I prefer the Thick Blue route
Rob
Text from Baggins late Thurs eve: Lots of snow here Rob, may need a rethink on distance. Well a bit late to cancel and anyway he was there already. Luckily David Waide managed to get hold of the latest spec Range Rover from work.:cool:
Sat a.m. met up with David, Andy Davies, Carwyn Phillips and Baggins. Original plan was to do Sec 4b (S from the minor road), over Dduallt - Rhobell Fawr to check on previous pruning efforts. But said minor road was 4x4 territory and we only had one of those and didn't fancy the long road run back to retrieve it, so settled for Sec 5 (Arans) and 6 (Dyfi Forest). Not great reccying weather with snow knee-deep on the high Arans and 10m vis, but good fun and (once out of the cloud) very scenic. Wondered afterwards about descending NW off Gwaun y Llwyni to pick up the main path, rather than the more direct slower line W - anyone tried this? Yiannis?
With time in hand we did the longer version of Sec 6, straight up via the 509m top to Maen Du / Maesglase, the steep climb made more brutal than usual by slippery fresh snow (and my lack of serviceable studs). Nothing much to report except for the briefly brutal Waun-Oer ascent where we hit on the cunning wheeze of hauling ourselves up using the fence (not a new idea, going by the shape of the fence). Off Mynydd Ceiswyn we took a fairly direct beeline for the final descent gully - quite fast although not sure I'd want to take that tussocky line in anger, in the dark. We were roughly on schedule time, the slow snowy running being balanced by the fact that we hadn't been running for 20 hours.
Sun a.m. there was more fresh snow. Baggins not wanting to push his luck headed for home and Carwyn was away to Paddy Buckley land. The Mercia contingent tackled the central Rhinog, taking the minor road into Graigddu-isaf (again 4x4 territory; unsurprisingly we had the car park to ourselves). We picked our way up Rhinog Fach, again in poor vis and thick snow, then followed the Meiri route thru to Craig Wion. The Rh Fach descent is quite a bit easier in snow :). The Rh Fawr ascent was pretty slow, with a bit of backtracking to "nail" the route - quite useful. The Rh Fawr descent was excellent fun, with steep rock and heather barely distinguishable under the snow.
March reccy seems likely to be weekend of 27th: I'll be in touch with interested parties. Keen to do Sec 1 (Cadair Idris) in the dark if it can be arranged, also the deferred Sec 4b. And whole of Sec 2 would be good ...
Rob
Full Moon on March 30th... :cool:
Really! Looking like a night shift :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug
Some pics (the snowy ones at the end of the set):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8589216...7614316201747/
It never seemed an attractive option to me. Going up to the path involves extra distance and a bit more height.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
Great photos Rob!
My event was cancelled yesterday so I stayed at home - still recovering from that flu.
Yiannis
Yes about 20m reascent over the 620m top; thereagain you do 10 or 20 anyway on the directish line unless contouring around which involves more distance in the tussocks. Choice may depend on whether in a running or plodding mood at the 19h mark...Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
I'll probably put 4b and 5 on the agenda for the March recce. We also noticed there's a route up Glasgwm which traverses R at about 730m and goes straight to the W summit: failed to follow it on Sat but it could be worth a look. Also the through-the-forest route from Glasgwm to Penybrynfforchog might be worth a revisit - I used to prefer it but it was a little overgrown at first, when last checked. Remind me, did you go through or round?
Rob
Certainly are, RobQuote:
Originally Posted by ydt
I always used to go through the forest, there was a stile to enter the forest. which was removed some years ago. I checked once after the stile was removed but found the first bit seriously overgrown and never went that way again.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
Yiannis
Envy Envy Envy.... :(:( Looks like a fantastic couple of days and the photos are just great... drove over Bwlch Oerddrws last Wednesday in a snow storm reminicing about what a great ridge it is along through Waen Oer and down Maen Ddu -happy Dragons Back memories.
Currently crocked, when I get mended I shall try and join for a recce or two.
Looks like a great run out, most envious. Carwyn said he had an 'interesting' outing the next day :rolleyes:.
I walked back through some of that forest section last year (nothing to do with Meiri round), though to exit somewhere different. There was definately a good ride under the trees for some way, (looks like your route) then it hit felled forestry which was a right old mess. May be worth a look.Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
A bit snowy in PBR land then? The big Rhinogs also qualified for that descr :DQuote:
Originally Posted by molehill
My last trip thru that bit of forest was with Steve Cliff, 2-3 years ago? As you say the entrance (SH826185, where Google currently shows a tiny clearing FWIW) is overgrown but once inside, the narrow path thru to the main ride (visible on Google) was nice. The main ride itself heading WSW had little footbridges installed at a few places. Maybe 5m ascent penalty but 200m shorter. I think another little session with the secateurs is in order :). A favour to the community, you understand :D. NB these variations were mentioned by Baggins and David Waide - a fresh point of view is always welcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
Forget the W summit: the E summit (big cairn) is higher. 779m on Landranger, "officially" 780m on the Marilyn list, apparently from the 1:10,000. The 1: 25,000 map is misleading with the W summit as 774m and a 772m spot height apparently the E summit but actually the NE summit. Baggins you were right :o.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
Rob, I did the big cairn on the original round and I am sure it is the 'dominant' top of Glasgwm.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
Yiannis
I'm working next time your going down Rob but will be in Wales early April.
A few things I want to check
Aran Benllyn we tended left towards the wall near the top and got on rough rocky ground (both last year and on recce) but if you head slightly right there is a grassy line through the rocks.
We did a bit of zigzaging last year on the way to Erw y Ddafad Ddu looks like a nice trod keeping more direct (we went this way on recce)
On the descent of Aran Fawddwy a good looking path runs parallel with our way off is it quicker to drop onto this path and follow it round to Drws Bach monument?
Going from Gwaun y Llwyni to Glasgwm there looks like a trod through the tussocks 200m South of the line we've been taking.
I'll also check the forest section to Pen y Brynfforchog to check your handiwork ;)
I see a path roughly on the line we took in July and (maybe, who knows) in the snow on Sat. Quite runnable I thought after the first 20m. There's a grassy line which detours quite a way R (NW) - is this what you have in mind?Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
Yes I see these, I think. I'll see if I can post a kmz later for you to check.Quote:
We did a bit of zigzaging last year on the way to Erw y Ddafad Ddu looks like a nice trod keeping more direct (we went this way on recce)
On the descent of Aran Fawddwy a good looking path runs parallel with our way off is it quicker to drop onto this path and follow it round to Drws Bach monument?
I have our line from Saturday on Google Earth now but can't see this one. I can't even see the (faint) trod we ended up on before meeting the main path. Can you post an image or kmz?Quote:
Going from Gwaun y Llwyni to Glasgwm there looks like a trod through the tussocks 200m South of the line we've been taking.
I can see the longer faster route David Waide had in mind, back and across to the main path. Should be mostly runnable ...
Rob
I'll send you some kmz over the weekend when I'm on my home computer
(its like looking through a telescope backwards using web based maps on this pc :eek: :D)
Not sure which path you have tried, but the times I've run it I've always gone straight down the old fenceline (mainly fenceposts but no fence) across the stream, up the other side and then hit the main drag. Chose this route from visual decision only as looking the best (can follow a trod all the way) and not tried any alternatives.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobW
Planning to drag these old bones out of bed tomorrow and head up there to look at that forestry section after Glasgwm (with pruning saw ;)), see what I can find. My first proper excursion back onto the hills since...... last June :(. A very gentle potter planned, I shall report back if I can get up there :).
Bill - I've attached a KMZ. A bit rough and ready between Benllyn and Fawddwy as my KML to ARF translator fell over after the Fawddwy-Monument section and needs reloading. But close enough for you to see on GE the trod(s) I'm trying to follow. Could be one or two fence crossings involved...
Moley - looking forward to your findings. The attachment has the roundabout route. We went fairly direct on Sat - a reasonable line but no trod until near the main path.
Rob
Ok Rob I've done a kmz with three variations on it
Trying to open these files but:Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
computer say NO :rolleyes:.
what do I need to do or download?
You need google Earth installed :)Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
Mission accomplished through the forestry. Bloody freezing up there today and I really struggled to reach the top of Glasgwm. A bitterly cold and strong wind, clag, sleet and everything iced (on me). Forecast showed a pretty bright sun all over mid-Wales .....yeah, right:rolleyes:.
Followed the forestry fenceline looking for sign of any old rides through. No stiles, think it's been re-fenced since Yiannis went through. My map doesn't show the rides and I was far too cold to look at it anyway, but saw a slight gap in the trees that from memory seemed about right and dived in to get out the wind. Went through it pruning as I went and hoping for the best, bit tricky to follow in places due to snow cover and tree felling, but everything about it seemed like an old neglected ride in the right direction. Eventually came to a T junction with the main ride through (one with the little bridges), turned right and straight through to the exit below Brynfforchog :D.
Everything pruned so you should be able follow it, even pruned over the couple of fallen trees. Placed two large fir branches sticking up in the fence wire to show where the entry is.
One other thing, pruning done to enable a 5'6" Moley to scuttle underneath, anyone taller enters at own risk.....