
The enclosure top right, in a fair weather reprise of the challenging conditions from my previous struggle up here in November 2022.
The enclosure top right, in a fair weather reprise of the challenging conditions from my previous struggle up here in November 2022.
Looking towards Mynydd Moel.
Looking southeast on the cliffs of Craig y Llam across Cwm Rhwyddfor, with Pumlumon (I think) on the skyline.
Looking towards Arenig Fawr and Aran Fawddwy.
Section of enclosure wall.
Looking towards Gau Graig from the slopes of Mynydd Moel. Aran Fawddwy rises on the skyline beyond.
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.
The enclosure, outcrop and cairn.
Towards Mynydd Moel, which I had hoped to climb next. Sanity won the battle.
There’s a substantial amount of stone in the walls of the enclosure. Looking north-east towards Aran Fawddwy, notionally.
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.
The enclosure slopes steeply to the east. Looking towards the Dyfi Hills, in a reverse of Gladman’s image.
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.
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?
Gau Graig viewed from Waun-oer, the summit crowned by an idiosyncratic stone enclosure. Mynydd Moel rises above and beyond.
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?