Meirionnydd Round.

[Baggins]

Well the snow had gone...

I don't believe it snows forcast for Friday

[DazTheSlug]

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

there's dedication!

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

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

[RobW]

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

Sec4: Gillies High Level Variation has it. 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

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 ), 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?

[RobW]

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

Attached are kmz files for Secs 4 and 5

[RobW]

I don't believe it snows forcast for Friday

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.

[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' 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.

[Baggins]

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.

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

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

[RobW]

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

Rhinogs on Saturday then

[molehill]

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

[ydt]

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' 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.

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