GLADMAN
Looking approx south toward Y Mynydd Du crowning the skyline...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The south-western end of the ridge: can’t argue with that.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The southwestern bank from without – not particularly powerful, but then, given the topography..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking along the spine of this delightful ridge to the south-west... the southern flank is sheer, so no need for any defences there.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Retrospective to the northeast... one can appreciate what certainly appear to be defences within the copious fern (I attempted a definitive look but was driven back by industrial-strength bramble within the greenery).
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Viewed across Cwm Brefi from the monument crowning Crug
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Cairns as far as the eye can see.... Bryn Rhudd is to the left of image, with Cnwch Mawr approx centre and Banciau Duon far right.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking across Cwm Brefi to the excellent Banc-y-Gwyngoed and complex upon Bryn Rhudd. Yet another very substantial (unmarked) cairn may just be seen upon Cnwch Mawr, centre right
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx south towards the wondrous Carn Fawr and Craig Twrch etc...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking from the southern flank of Gurnos (near Craig y Mynach) to the approx north-east and highlighting the splendid Nant Paradwys... all kinds of excellent prehistory to be seen by following that there track..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking towards the site of the Rhos-y-Gelynnen stone row
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Having incorrectly assumed the cairn would crown the ‘summit’ of Gurnos... I then incorrectly assumed it would be located upon one of the radiating rocky ridges... but no.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Clearly the remains of cist/chamber of some description.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Quite a lot of internal structure is still evident for such an obscure site...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approach SW towards a quartet of other Bronze Age cairns.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking across the monument into the fastness of ‘The Green Desert of Wales‘
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
From this angle, the prehistoric ancestry is pretty obvious.... Llan Ddu Fawr rises beyond. This is a fabulously obscure, wild area.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The ‘marker cairn’ sitting upon the (probable) prehistoric footprint. Bryn Dafydd lies beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The summit ridge looks rather benign from the Cambrian Way. Don’t be fooled like a muppet.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The seriously overgrown summit – just the thing for that hayfever
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The ‘post’ is presumably the remnants of a long since demised tree.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
A good way to start the day, fresh – or not so fresh – from the long drive from Essex.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Main monument from the northern...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone