We had been watching the weather forecast all week and it looked good to get a good circular walk in on Saturday to clear another 8 pointer on our list. Only two 8 pointers left in GW/NW now to do, NW-005 and NW-007
We opted for parking at SH805305, there is only one space for a car here and you have to tuck it in quite well.
Moel Llyfnant
Arenig Fawr
For the first part of our walk, we could see that both summits we planned to ascend were in the clouds.
The initial part of the walk is on a dirt road and lasts for 1.2 miles where you reach an old house and then turn right SH809368 and follow the grass road, up as far as you can and then do the last hop to Moel Llyfnant summit by making your own way over the long grass. It is steep in places, but nothing too hard.
Dave on the grass road up to Moel Llyfnant
The summit of Moel Llyfnant is near.
Moel Llyfnant is graced by quite a nice summit with a few good rocky outcrops to shelter out of any wind and a fence running along the north side which is where we opted to set up the two stations.
Steve, 2E0KPO
Dave, G0AOD
Dave as usual did the HF side and I did my 2m ssb. I was trying a new lightweight antenna and mast arrangement this trip.
2E0KPO station
I have been looking at reducing weight in my kit as I have planned some trips where I will need to carry other kit. The fishing pole and 3 element beam not only weighs to much but they stick up and get in the way when carried through woodland. They also prevent you properly putting on a rucksack rain cover. I wanted an antenna that went inside the rucksack profile
Just as we set up on the summit the clouds burnt away, the sun came out, and the views opened up. Arenig Fawr was still in the cloud though.
Looking at Arenig Fawr from Moel Llyfnant
This new lightweight dipole antenna takes only a few seconds to erect and seemed to be doing the job quite well; not as good as a beam but you can expect that. Contact made with Don, G0RQL that is always a good sign.
We then headed off to Arenig Fawr via the very wide ridge at SH816354, it was very wet and boggy after all the rain but passable, but you do need good waterproof boots. You drop over 675ft to get to the ridge from Moel Llyfnant and end up having to climb back up the 1000ft to get to the summit of Arenig Fawr. The clouds had all lifted well now and we were in full sun and down to t-shirts.
View from the ridge back to the road
The ascent of Arenig Fawr is again steep in places but easy under foot. We picked up on the path, SH815354, not that it was very visible, and followed it to a stile at SH823354, now it’s as simple as turn left and follow the fence to the summit for the next mile to Arenig Fawr.
Steve, 2E0KPO looking back from the ascent of Arenig Fawr to the lakes
Dave G0AOD looking back from the ascent of Arenig Fawr to the lakes
There are a few small lakes (not sure of the welsh name for a lake on a mountain and a great place to wild camp) on the assent, and some very boggy and wet patches to watch out for. On the South summit of Arenig Fawr, do not be tempted to go round to the right, just stick to the fence.
One of the lakes
Yet another drop down and then final ascent to Arenig Fawr.
The drop down from South Arenig Fawr to Arenig Fawr
The views are stunning and the whole time during the activation, the sun was out and it felt quite warm. There is a small summit shelter with a memorial. There is plenty of room for HF.
From Arenig Fawr we headed north and turned left at SH828372 and headed down the long grassy slope to meet the grass road at SH817372 and then head up to the remains of a house at SH816374 to then join the forestry track and head back the 2.2 miles to the car.
We covered 7.8 miles and did a total ascent of 2449ft it is a nice circular walk with a bit of a boring bit each way on the forestry track.
On the trip home we decided to stop for fish and chips, very welcome but the chips were a bit soggy and this is where Dave discovered the justification to include humps in the off-licence!!
