Meirionnydd Round.

Hi guys.
I've managed a few runs of the dyfi, cader, dduallt, rhobell and aran sections. Even though I live close to the whole round I still havent got out on to the rhinogs, arenigs yet. Its amazing reading about the recces youve done of the sections and the photos are awsome.
It's time I started getting things organised now. I was thinking of dates around june 19th/20th, 26th/27th. May dates are busy with wfra N wales series races and cader. I also need a team put together.

What would be your advice on time of the year, team etc etc.
Even though I'm local to the round (dont know if it's a good thing??) I found often that people not from a certain area know more than the localls :-) so if any of you guys are interested?? I could maybe be of some help for anyone else who is going to attempt the round.
Thanks.

Yannis
Was just wondering which route you took off the Rhobell to get to Pont Fronwydd??
Did you go back through the forest around Ty Newydd y Mynydd and direct over Craig y Benglog or some Tarmaced lanes and footpaths?? It's a bit of a maze round there.

Bill - belated thanks for the kmz. Makes sense now - Benllyn line is ascent, thought you were talking about descent :confused:. Useful lines.

Moley - nice work, we'll take a look on the 27th

Rob

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

Yannis
Was just wondering which route you took off the Rhobell to get to Pont Fronwydd??
Did you go back through the forest around Ty Newydd y Mynydd and direct over Craig y Benglog or some Tarmaced lanes and footpaths?? It's a bit of a maze round there.

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Yiannis is a Master of the Beeline. Descent to Ty-newydd as you say, then follow the boundary between tree plantations (pruned by LawrieJ and I a month ago), then an approx beeline to the mapped path, keeping a bit L staying on the foot of the slope where there's better grass rather than straight across the tussocks. We're planning a recce of that bit (last half of Sec 4, from the minor road crossing) on 27 March. Welcome to join us if you're free.

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

What would be your advice on time of the year, team etc etc.
Even though I'm local to the round (dont know if it's a good thing??) I found often that people not from a certain area know more than the localls :-) so if any of you guys are interested?? I could maybe be of some help for anyone else who is going to attempt the round.
Thanks.

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Time of year: May is best (I'm planning 7/8 or 21/22 depending on the weather). July is too late - too much veg (rushes, deeper grass, especially bracken) - I tried last year having been injured in May. A good half hour longer that time of year and it's hard enough anyway, for me :eek:. June would I guess be better than July but bracken would be up by then? I'm away over the period you mention, but all the best - keep us posted.

R Fawr to Pont Fronwydd:
As Rob said follow faint path along small stream, skirt foot of hills, cross a couple of fences, then over gate, down very rough heather to path by stream, to gate into fenced fields, path...
Yiannis

And in Google Earth.

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

Hi guys.
I've managed a few runs of the dyfi, cader, dduallt, rhobell and aran sections. Even though I live close to the whole round I still havent got out on to the rhinogs, arenigs yet.

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Just thought, it wasn't you we saw on the forest road at Graigddu-isaf by any chance? Sun a.m. 21 Feb. We saw a set of studmarks in the snow appear partway along the road in from the A470 and we saw their owner near the farm just as we were emerging from the shortcut path from the car park. A local, we reckoned from the lack of car.

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

Hi guys.
I've managed a few runs of the dyfi, cader, dduallt, rhobell and aran sections. Even though I live close to the whole round I still havent got out on to the rhinogs, arenigs yet. Its amazing reading about the recces youve done of the sections and the photos are awsome.
It's time I started getting things organised now. I was thinking of dates around june 19th/20th, 26th/27th. May dates are busy with wfra N wales series races and cader. I also need a team put together.

What would be your advice on time of the year, team etc etc.
Even though I'm local to the round (dont know if it's a good thing??) I found often that people not from a certain area know more than the localls :-) so if any of you guys are interested?? I could maybe be of some help for anyone else who is going to attempt the round.
Thanks.

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May be able to help, but unable to book any certain dates - it's that sort of year ahead :(. If available I'll help (and fit by then?) but won't know till nearer the time. Quite a lot happening May/June, Carwyn has his PB to do sometime around then as well, if that's out the way he may even be available. See what we can do. Moley.

Thanks for the maps Yannis, I know of the footpath on the map, just wondered which way you guys took through the forest. Thanks.
No it was'nt me you saw. If there was snow about then you would of seen me gritting and ploughing on Bwlch yr Oerddrws and Bwlch Talyllyn, unfortunately for me snow= work= no running, hopefully weve seen the last of it.
It would be really good to meet up with you guys to do some recees.

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

It would be really good to meet up with you guys to do some recees.

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Maybe March 27 or 28 if you're (snow-) free? Plan is Sec 4b and 5 on Sat, Sec 1 (Cadair) and 1st part of 2 Sat night; t.b.c. on Sunday

Have a great weekend everyone, most envious of you all. Will be thinking of you Saturday night (in the rain, hail, thunder, sleet, snow) :D. Hope to be back soon, have a good one.

Whereabouts are you guys staying? and what time will you be setting off on Sat night??

http://www.guesthousessnowdonia.com/...bunkhouse.html

plan is to be back at the bunkhouse some time after 5pm, for start 7:30-8:00pm ish

I have PM'd molehill with my mobile number, if you want to give me a call.
If your doing Cader then I take it youll be starting from Talyllyn pass??

Sec4b/5 recce went according to plan, completed in 7 1/2 hours
Highlights for me were the sneaky forest cut-throughs - magical hidden paths that made you feel like you were in fairy tale - right down to the bog-monster that nearly ate me!
Rob was looking very strong/smooth, and I'd deffo get your money on a successful attempt
which, after experiencing the near-pathlessness of the route, I now understand will be a FANTASTIC achievement

conditions were looking good for the night-recce of the Caders - no doubt Rob will report in at some point...

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Originally Posted by DazTheSlug

conditions were looking good for the night-recce of the Caders - no doubt Rob will report in at some point...

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Cader section by moonlight was magical. We were at least 30 mins adrift on Yiannis's times though :eek:. It was his first section and we'd done 7h earlier in the day, but we were going pretty well and I have absolutely no idea how he ran that fast in the dark (he was also in moonlight IIRC).

Neil and I liked Sec 4b so much we did it again the next day :D. We nailed the Gillie high-level variation - excellent. Details later...

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

I have PM'd molehill with my mobile number, if you want to give me a call.
If your doing Cader then I take it youll be starting from Talyllyn pass??

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Yes we did. Sorry, only just seen your posts; we were offline (and on hill :)) Sat a.m.

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Originally Posted by RobW

Cader section by moonlight was magical. We were at least 30 mins adrift on Yiannis's times though . It was his first section and we'd done 7h earlier in the day, but we were going pretty well and I have absolutely no idea how he ran that fast in the dark (he was also in moonlight IIRC).

Neil and I liked Sec 4b so much we did it again the next day . We nailed the Gillie high-level variation - excellent. Details later...

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Carwyn must have enjoyed the night run he wants to do PB Snowdon leg in the dark now :D

I'll be doing sec 5 on Friday with hopefully no snow or cloud :eek::rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Baggins

Carwyn must have enjoyed the night run he wants to do PB Snowdon leg in the dark now :D

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Certainly nowt wrong with his night vision!

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I'll be doing sec 5 on Friday with hopefully no snow or cloud :eek::rolleyes:

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Well the snow had gone...

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Originally Posted by RobW

Well the snow had gone...

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I don't believe it :eek: snows forcast for Friday :D

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Originally Posted by RobW

Neil and I liked Sec 4b so much we did it again the next day :D.

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there's dedication!

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Originally Posted by RobW

We nailed the Gillie high-level variation - excellent. Details later...

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so what's the verdict - high, medium or low variation?

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Originally Posted by DazTheSlug

so what's the verdict - high, medium or low variation?

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Sec4: Gillies High Level Variation has it:cool:. From SH809307 just before the ruin, angle up to 490m (about 30m ascent) then it's good running all the way. We crossed the stream at SH809292, but instead of wading it as Mary did, we stepped across the fence, boulder hopped across then were the correct side for the Dduallt path so straight up. Dduallt - Rhobell we took the same route again, 46mins, a bit ahead of schedule for once, but then it wasn't our 4th section of the day... 47 mins down to the road, including some back tracking and a bit of lamb cuddling :o

Rhobell Fawr descent, we cut off L away from the wall just before the steep slow rocky bit, at SH782258 and took that nice steep grassy descent (might be a good way of scaring one's support crew :D), same as Saturday, then over the little ridge which we went round (and round!) on Sat.

Sec 5, to recap from Saturday, we sussed out Baggins Variation up Aran Benllyn; after Fawddwy, Neil Talbott showed me a very neat mostly grassy route bypassing the S summit en route to the Memorial; also a nice quick way off Gwaun Llwyni - head WNW from summit, following good path along old fenceposts, to join the motorway off Fawddwy. After Glasgwm, we went into the forest at the corner, SH827185, found the old path (and Molehill's pruning - thanks :)). After a few m it seems to stop but you go over a bit of a hump on your L then the path continues, over 2 fallen but easy trees, on the edge of recent clear fall. I take it from your earlier post that you found this OK, Daz. By the way did you intercept the train OK?

By the way, stats for the weekend (Neil was asking):
Sat: Sec 4b+5 = 21mi, 2071m
Sat night: Sec 1+2a = 14mi, 1502m
Sun: Sec 4b = 11mi, 772m
= sore legs yesterday :eek:

Attached are kmz files for Secs 4 and 5

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Originally Posted by Baggins

I don't believe it :eek: snows forcast for Friday :D

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When are you over there, Bill? Scottish snow-floundering at Easter is losing its appeal. But as you say, Wales is due some white stuff too.

You all had a cracking weekend then :). Kind of involved (as a knackered non-participant) in this round makes me ponder how it will all be in 20 years time. I hope full credit goes to those 'trailblazers' such as Rob who are putting the big efforts in, I dare say the routes will all be taken for granted in years to come.
But most of all to Yiannis, let us not forget the guy who created this 'little challenge' :eek: in a grossly overlooked part of our principallity.
Just think how much time and commitment Yiannis must have given over the years to create the Meiri round, and then he ran it. Within 24 hours. You don't do all that without a love of our hills.

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Originally Posted by RobW

When are you over there, Bill? Scottish snow-floundering at Easter is losing its appeal. But as you say, Wales is due some white stuff too.

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Will be going down Thursday morning as we're doing a night recce over Snowdon Thursday night, should be a nice contrast from Cader :)

55mph winds, freezing level 400m, risk of prolonged whiteout conditions :rolleyes:

Just ran in shorts for the first time this year yesterday! Time to dig out my winter kit again :D

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Originally Posted by Baggins

Will be going down Thursday morning as we're doing a night recce over Snowdon Thursday night, should be a nice contrast from Cader :)

55mph winds, freezing level 400m, risk of prolonged whiteout conditions :rolleyes:

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Rhinogs on Saturday then :eek:;)

Snow on the hill outside my window this morning, winding up for you and Carwyn tomorrow night.....:D

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Originally Posted by molehill

You all had a cracking weekend then :). Kind of involved (as a knackered non-participant) in this round makes me ponder how it will all be in 20 years time. I hope full credit goes to those 'trailblazers' such as Rob who are putting the big efforts in, I dare say the routes will all be taken for granted in years to come.
But most of all to Yiannis, let us not forget the guy who created this 'little challenge' :eek: in a grossly overlooked part of our principallity.
Just think how much time and commitment Yiannis must have given over the years to create the Meiri round, and then he ran it. Within 24 hours. You don't do all that without a love of our hills.

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Indeed! I love those wild hills and was privileged to be able to spend lots of time recceing, mostly in complete solitude.
Yiannis

Rob - got to Shrewsbury with an hour to spare - we found that woodland path OK, aided by the couple of spruce branches wedged in the fence (by Molehill?)
that was my fave bit of the day, along with standing on Rhobell Fawr (for the first time in my life) and being able to see most of the round in a 360 degree panorama :cool:

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Originally Posted by ydt

Indeed! I love those wild hills and was privileged to be able to spend lots of time recceing, mostly in complete solitude.
Yiannis

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We looked at the low level route heading for Dduallt but couldn't find the trods. Our conclusion - no sheep would go there, they were Yiannis trods :D

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Originally Posted by DazTheSlug

standing on Rhobell Fawr (for the first time in my life) and being able to see most of the round in a 360 degree panorama :cool:

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The High Raise of Meirionnydd :).

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Originally Posted by molehill

Snow on the hill outside my window this morning, winding up for you and Carwyn tomorrow night.....

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You weren't joking, waist deep in places :eek:

Had to jump down over a cornice on the col after Yr Aran then on the way up Cribau Tregalan had to skirt around one that had formed in the opposite direction blocking the path :confused:

I didn't use many of the stiles it was easier to step over the fences (some of these stiles must be 8 foot high) also ended up walking on top of the stone walls beside the path a few times as that was better going.

We were in cloud most of the time only dropping out of it at the cols before and after Moel Cynghorion, needed to run on a bearing after Garnedd Ugain to get to the first col as any sign of the path was covered by fresh snow.

Even so we got round in 4:30 and Carwyn had already done the Glyder leg that morning :eek:

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Originally Posted by RobW

When are you over there, Bill? Scottish snow-floundering at Easter is losing its appeal. But as you say, Wales is due some white stuff too.

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Going by the amount of snow in North Snowdonia I gave the Meiri a miss, all the trods I wanted to check would be covered :rolleyes:

Sounds like Carwyn would have been in his element, I hope he didn't drag Smudge along as well for the night section :eek:

Oh yes!! What a contrast in night runs from Cader last Saturday night. No chance of not using the headtorch on this one. Definately a night not for boys!!! Another memorable night etched into my little head :)

Managed to get to the Moelwyns this time Rob:D!! Feet have never been so frozen after coming across the B/R! Lovely icy watery bog!! Nice! They still hurt now two days later! Might invest in some of those nice waterproof socks!! Even contemplating getting some for poor old Smudge!!!
Let me know if you're reccieing again before the big day.

Bye for now.

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Originally Posted by Happy on the hills

Managed to get to the Moelwyns this time Rob:D!! Feet have never been so frozen after coming across the B/R! Lovely icy watery bog!! Nice! They still hurt now two days later! Might invest in some of those nice waterproof socks!! Even contemplating getting some for poor old Smudge!!!

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Sounds like you've both been having fun :D.

I had 2 days on Arran - soggy snow and frozen feet but 14 new trigs in the bag :cool:

Socks - I've given up on my Sealskinz and gone back to my battered old neoprene diving socks - my recommendation. The Sealskinz started leaking almost from new:mad: (probably due to badly trimmed toenails); neoprenes work pretty well even with holes

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Originally Posted by Baggins

Even so we got round in 4:30 and Carwyn had already done the Glyder leg that morning :eek:

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Yes he does shift a bit :eek:

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Originally Posted by RobW

Yes he does shift a bit :eek:

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We hobbled him today ;). Made him walk the Missus and me round the Presseli hills for 41/2 hours, lovely day out and great to be back on our feet. He's looking strong, but even he didn't dare run away from the Missus :D.