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Fieldnotes
| A strange turn of events led us back to the "Slippery hill of the witch" on a Sunday with time and a few sponds, it was Erics idea he practically begged me to come back, I was going to go to the Near Peak district, but he was adamant, he wanted to have another crack at that mountain that defeated him last time, and he wanted to bring his mate, whom for reasons that will become apparent will remain nameless. We parked in the Ogwen valley by the entrance to a farm that is on the way to the cairn topped mountain. As the walk started we first had to cross over a cattle grid, Eric's mate looked at it strangely and said "what's that?" he wasn't kidding either it was the first time he'd seen one, he crossed it gingerly in his wellies, and me and Eric exchanged glances. After the farm had been passed we made it up to the nice to walk beside weir/canal, Eric changed out of trousers and into shorts, it was that warm, i've never seen anyone climb a mountain in shorts and T shirt before, strange days indeed. When the weir reaches the small valley between Pen yr Helgi Du and Pen Llithrig y Wrach we head up to the saddle between the two (Bwlch y Tri Marchog) following the stream uphill. On the way we saw two small brown smooth lizards and some mountain ponies. At the top of the Bwlch y Tri Marchog we could look down into Cwm Eigiau, the perfect glacier made valley, and up to Carnedd llewelyn with the narrow ridge linking it to the lower but no less lovely Pen yr helgi du. It was a heavenly place to sit and consume some butties, and catch our breath, two mountains a week is perhaps close to my limit. Then it's up to the summit, through a rocky path that is well worn and has the best view of The Carneddau that there is to my knowledge. Whilst photographing this Snowdonian spectacle eric stayed with me as a loving son is wont to do, but his mate carried on up on his own, he left the only two people who could help if nessasary, I was a tadd annoyed but tried not to show it. Finally we caught up to the loner at the top, it was very gratifying to finally get to the top, the list got shorter for a change. The cairn is I think if anything getting smaller, I can only hope that the bump the small pile of stones is on is the main part of the cairn. We all take up residence at the cairn even going so far as to take our shoes off, really making ourselves at home. I lied down propped up on shoulders surveying the haze that can't hide the better half of the national park. Behind me coming back to the fore is what the kids are doing behind me, to my absolute horror Eric's mate was seeing how far he could throw stones over the edge, I sternly reminded him there was a footpath down there, with people walking on it, and those stones are from someones grave that has been there for 4000 years and your just chucking it over the edge to show how cool you are. I was not impressed, I made them go away from the cairn and collect some more stones and replace them on the cairn, Eric wasn't impressed with him either, and Eric's mate wasn't impressed, with me. Really, even though educated into what's what some people don't care, last time he comes out with me I can tell you. That said not even a naughty mouthy kid can spoil my enjoyment of this place, the weather is amazing so warm and dry and those views are to die for, the eye is forever torn up to the Carneddau, especially llewelyn and the narrow ridge down to Pen yr Helgi Du, Ive never seen the mountains look so enticing, one day me and Alken will walk it, and properly enjoy the wonderful beauty of this place. On the way down I try to find Bwlch Cowlyd but I cant even remember what it is i'm looking for, oh well someone will find it one day i'm sure. |
Posted by postman27th March 2012ce Edited 27th March 2012ce
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Comments (2) |
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Well if you still haven't found it, I'll come and help you look. You certanly had the weather, shame it's illegal to throw children off cliffs onto footpaths below. |
Posted by thesweetcheat27th March 2012ce |
| Maybe , but iv'e got a better route up and round and down but the other side of Pen yr Helgi Du taking in Pant-y-Griafolen, longer possibly but ultimately more rewarding, maybe. |
Posted by postman 27th March 2012ce |
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