Last Saturday I meant to have a go at the northern Rhinog tops, Moel
Ysgyfarnogod, Foel Penolau, Diffwys and Moel y Gyrafolen. I parked at
Llandecwyn, SH633375, and had trouble opening the door of my car because
the wind was so strong... Anyway, I set off but didn't go all the way
up to the summits to avoid being blown off my feet... Photos here:
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/060610.html
After some confused searching for the path through woodland, I got onto
the farm track to Caerwych riding centre, where they have a sense for
unusual architecture and a great view across the Dwyryd estuary.
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061005bCaerwychWigwam.jpg
I soon got into rocky terrain on the side of y Gyrn, as is only right
for the Rhinogydd (but I didn't have to get up it!).
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061009bYGarnSlab.jpg
There were boggy bits but most could be avoided by sticking to higher
ground, which also gave the best views - of Snowdon and the Moelwynion
to the north.
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061016bSnowdonMoelwynion.jpg
Soon the magnificent stone circle, Bryn Cader Faner, came into view.
It's a full circle with outward-leaning stones built on a cairn which is
said to have contained a burial chamber until some 19th century bandits
ripped it apart (probably looking for a buried piano). The armed forces
apparently messed about with it later, too, but it has been reconstructed
faithfully - and, best of it, without adding a visitor centre!
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061019bBrynCaderFaner.jpg
There are loads of interesting boulders and rock formations around.
According to the map, there are supposed to be two opposing cliffs
facing each other near Moel Ddinas. One of them is in fact quite big,
but the other is only a few metres high. I liked this cracked boulder,
which must have split because the ground below is giving way slowly:
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061030bSplitRock.jpg
After descending into Cwm Moch and then walking up to the pass at its
top end, I decided I should have at least one summit. It turned out to
be 431m high Craig y Gwynt. Sandy is right:
| 'Mountains or Mole Hills .....
| summiting still brings the
| same excitement'
and this one had all that a proper mountain needs: rocks, a bit of
(avoidable) scrambling at the top, strong winds, and a great view
(across Llyn Trawsfynydd to Arenig Fawr)
http://users.aber.ac.uk/ruw/album/06061039bCraigYGwyntSummit.jpg
There was no obvious way down that hill on the north side, so I went
back to the Cwm Moch pass, down to Moelfryn on the lakeside, to the dam
and back along the river Llennyrch and lanes, which was a bit of a slog.
Got to get back to finish off the summits, but it was definitely
worthwhile the way it went.
--
Rudi Winter, Aberystwyth, Wales
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