GLADMAN

If I’m not very much mistaken the cairn is demarcated by the remnants of a kerb.

Loved this – remote location tucked away above Strata Florida.

Approaching from the summit of Pen-y-Bwlch (just under a third of a mile to the east – hence applying its own site for route finding safety’s sake) the cairn here at the bwlch lacks the panoramic views of the summit monument... but structurally is much finer.

Looking west from Crugyn Ci, Crugyn Gwyddel is obvious in clear weather. If not, take a bearing, follow the boundary stones... or bribe one of the ponies.

Great place to hang out for a while, whether or not this ultimately possesses prehistoric origins. The small modern stone pile sits upon a reasonably substantial grassy ‘mound’ which erosion damage to the eastern flank shows to be of artificial construction, not natural.

To be fair, Crugyn Gwyddel was much more substantial than I recalled.

More-or-less eastward toward the OS trig upon Crugyn Ci (far top right) .... a bridleway below those crags is about as practical a way to get here as any.

Looking approx north-west across the Waterworld of Cwmdeuddwr. Whether any of the stone originated from the monument is anybody’s guess – although there is precious little surface stone up here... The initiated may be able to recognise the rounded height of Pen-y-Garn upon the horizon.

The first time I came here I received a veritable kicking from the weather... not on this occasion. A sublimely ‘airy’ spot, populated by nowt but upland ponies.

Whether by coincidence or design (although the more upland cairns I visit, the more I believe things were not left to chance) Pen Pumlumon-Arwystli’s great cairns are not the most conspicuous from a distance. However, they grace the skyline when viewed from [Banc Lluest Newydd||13419]]. The intervening landscape makes a mockery of anyone harbouring a mistaken belief that Pumlumon lacks ‘interesting’ topography.... one would suggest they attempt to walk the length of Cwm Gwerin, for starters.

Have to say I was blown away by this one.......

Excellent preservation.

Yet another excellent monument gracing the uplands of Cwmdeuddwr... this time a large, well-preserved ring cairn. Looking toward Dolymynach Reservoir. Gro Hill and Waun Sarn (top right) – both bearing cairns – rise beyond.

Fabulous evening light....

Looking toward Pen Pumlumon Fawr to approx south...

The ‘beehives’ topping Carn Hyddgen’s pair of cairns can be seen beyond. Banc Lluest Newydd’s monument is much smaller... but of course, it’s where it was placed that counts.

Pen Pumlumon-Arwystli, with its trio of large cairns (although the northern is nowadays somewhat denuded), can be seen centre right skyline.

The central section of the main ridge of Pumlumon from Banc Llechwedd-mawr.... Pen Pumlumon Fawr is to the right. Pumlumon cradles the birthplaces of three major rivers – Rheidol, Hafren (Severn) and Gwy (Wye) here.

Southern cairn toward Nant-y-Moch, Y Garn (background left) and Drosgol... a great airy perch to enjoy a summer’s day away from the summer tourists ascending the sentinel peak from the south. Note the quartzite ‘nipple’ topping this monument – as upon the much larger monuments gracing Pumlumon Cwmbiga. Quartzite can be found naturally outcropping upon Pumlumon and is imo most enigmatically deployed in forming the Cerrig Cyfamod Glyndwr below Banc Llechwedd-mawr itself.

Northern cairn.....

Southern cairn looking to Nant-y-Moch

The well preserved southern cairn......

The northern cairn dwarfed by a fabulous fair weather cloudscape. Cadair Idris is resplendent upon the horizon – just the thing to blow away the cob-webs of lockdown for a while.

Looking from Banc Lluest Newydd at moon rise. The light is natural.... if other-worldly.

A retrospective ascending Banc Llechwedd-mawr 20/7/2020... the ascent route for Pen Pumlumon Fawr can be seen following the cascading Maesnant stream, upper left, Y Garn beyond to the far right. Note the car parking spots: this is where Citizens Cairn’d wishing to explore Pumlumon should make their way.

Drosgol rises beyond (as with more-or-less every hill in the locale of Pumlumon, bearing cairns). Note that, unbeknown to me before this visit, two new footbridges have recently been erected at SN779891 and SN766888. No need for soaking feet!!!

The essence of Pumlumon, perhaps?

Looking north-east(ish)... Banc Lluestnewydd rises above the monument, with the wondrous Carn Hyddgen to its left.

Looking across the monument (and into the sun – inhibits photography but hey, take it when you can I say) towards Pen Pumlumon Fawr (top right) and Pen Pumlumon Arwystli, both summit bearing a trio of cairns.

OK, the outlook from the cairn may have changed dramatically since erected by the pioneering locals millennia before; however, I reckon there is a haunting, ethereal presence to the Nant-y-Moch reservoir.

Bathed in golden light... the substantial footprint bears the standard marker cairn. Banc LLechwedd-mawr rises above; the lure subsequently prove too great to resist.

Approaching from the northeast (ish)... Y Garn rises left background...

Western flank, looking approx northward.

Such is the extreme topography, no artificial defences are required upon the eastern flank.

Upon the southern defences, highlighting the surviving ditch.

Western flank.....

Southern defences.......

Looking approx south towards the hillfort star of the locale: Pen-y-Gaer, centre right. Well, at least it was for me. Clearly Dinas is the primary site.

Southern defences... these terminate at a more-or-less sheer drop to the east (the right, looking here) – as if the site has had its entire eastern half sliced away by some poorly navigated mothership along its longitudinal axis.

Ever wondered what lies within a hill fort’s bank? Unfortunately this type of damage is encountered all too often.

Llyn Clywedog from the western end of the southern bank climbing the hill.