GLADMAN
If Nature is to reclaim its own, what an exquisite way to do it.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The cairn features a well-preserved cist, the capstone lying beside...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The north-eastern ridge of Y Gamriw (bearing substantial cairns) can be seen rising beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
There were apparently two cairns here; the other (at SN97646226) was destroyed during the 70’s...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Sunburst upon the cairn, watching successive weather fronts arrive to deposit deluges of water. The prize for wearing decent waterproofs was some fantastic cloudscapes...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Despite the indignity of supporting an OS triangulation station – and, furthermore, being totally grassed over – this is a pretty substantial summit cairn with some far-reaching views across deepest Mid Wales.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Note the extensive bog upon the southern arc... a substantial diversion would be required to avoid it... so I just waded. Sod it.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The surviving structure of the cairn is impressive, not to mention unusual in my experience. Coflein reckons it “appears to be a square, drystone revetted cairn, with rounded angles” (J.Wiles 03.04.02)
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx north-east toward Graig Wen... the serene Llyn y Gwaith lies (unseen from here) immediately below.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Aside from the horseshoe-shaped ‘shelter’ plonked on top, the massive cairn appeared more-or-less inviolate to me.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking very approx north-west...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx south from the massive cairn – The Brecon Beacons and Great Escarpment of South Wales crown the horizon.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Approaching from the southern/eastern arc is fraught with difficulties.... even during this ‘dry season’, the bog was industrial strength. So thought I ‘d be smarter upon the return and stick to the fenceline – first to the east, then to the west. But to no avail. A steep northern ascent, or approach along the ridge to the west would appear the only dry-shod option. Still, a magnificent cairn worth a bootie or two.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx south from the south-western cairn towards (yet another) Carn Wen, this ‘un of the Cynwyl Gaeo variety.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking up the ridge across the south-western to north-eastern cairn...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Prominent quartzite block upon the south-western cairn. The great Carn Fawr can just be discerned to the left of the treeline, top right...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The deceptively substantial north-eastern (main) cairn
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Just the spot to sprawl back in the heather for lunch.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Pen y Corn, with a brace of cairns, is obscured by the trees beyond. I combined a visit.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Without an OS map – and a little attitude – one would easily walk (or more probably drive) right past this monument. Would be a pity... since the road is SO quiet it might as well not be there. Bit breezy, though.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Trichrug would appear the preserve of local dog walkers – some clearly refusing to clear up their mess. It’s high time this ‘Sacred Hill’ was reclaimed for the ‘little people’, methinks?
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The eastern of the two western monuments is hefty, to say the least. Even vis-à-vis the gobsmacked muppet plonked on top.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
One of a quartet of very large round barrows upon the summit of Trichrug.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Bryn Rhudd’s great summit cairn can be seen rising beyond..........
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
How feeble are the endeavours of humankind?
Image credit: Robert Gladstone