Images

Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

The enclosure top right, in a fair weather reprise of the challenging conditions from my previous struggle up here in November 2022.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.5.2023)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Looking southeast on the cliffs of Craig y Llam across Cwm Rhwyddfor, with Pumlumon (I think) on the skyline.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.5.2023)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Looking towards Gau Graig from the slopes of Mynydd Moel. Aran Fawddwy rises on the skyline beyond.

Image credit: A. Brookes (13.5.2023)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

The cliffs of the north face, with the enclosure perched above. Taken as I beat my retreat back down the mountain to Dolgellau; not the best day for a visit, I returned in entirely different weather the following May.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

There’s a substantial amount of stone in the walls of the enclosure. Looking north-east towards Aran Fawddwy, notionally.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Looking north, down to a distant looking Dolgellau where warmth and tea await. Y Garn, Foel Offrwm and Rhobell Fawr are the dimly seen backdrop hills.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

The enclosure slopes steeply to the east. Looking towards the Dyfi Hills, in a reverse of Gladman’s image.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Enclosure wall, with the cairn to the right. I think the cairn is modern, although it’s not on the true summit of the hill. It surmounts a natural outcrop enclosed by the wall.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by thesweetcheat

Contemplating the ascent on the north-east ridge, as 40-50 mph winds lash the rain at me. Who says you have to be mad to do this?

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.11.2022)
Image of Gau Graig, Cadair Idris (Enclosure) by GLADMAN

Gau Graig viewed from Waun-oer, the summit crowned by an idiosyncratic stone enclosure. Mynydd Moel rises above and beyond.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone

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Miscellaneous

Gau Graig, Cadair Idris
Enclosure

I was not aware of the potential significance of the little stone enclosure crowning Gau Graig – north-eastern bastion of the wondrous Cadair Idris – at the time of my ascent from Bwlch Llyn Bach some 20 years ago. However, a full frontal view while chillin’ out upon Waun-oer during Easter 2022 prompted me to ask the question: well, just what IS it doing there?

Funnily enough, Toby Driver [RCAHMW, 2016] has been having similar aerial thoughts, albeit not from terra firma. According to Coflein the feature is:

“An elongated oval stone enclosure, measuring 36m x 16m and aligned NW/SE... Unusually the north-west part... takes in a steep slope, while the exposed position... makes it unlikely that it performed a mundane agricultural function like a sheepfold. The walls enclose a small cairn or outcropping rock suggesting a prehistoric date would not be unlikely.”

I concur... I mean, I know the Welsh Mountain sheep is a pretty sturdy breed, right? But suicidal?

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