Crag: Pandy Outcrop, Glyn Ceiriog
Routes: Emerald Point (VD:sec), Villeta (M:sol), Splitting the Difference (HS:sec), Banana Boat (S4a:sec)
A cold but dry day, with a little watery sunshine forecast, so made a brief trip to Pandy for a few climbs. It really is a delightful venue, peaceful and with wonderful views out over the Ceiriog. Just a shame it was rather too cold on the fingers today. Dale led Emerald Point (VD) to begin. An awful start over mossy boulders and muddy shelves leads to a pleasant upper slab and nice corner crack - a fairly lengthy route. A brief solo of the simply Villeta, before seconding the pleasant little slab taken by Splitting the Difference (HS). Like the classic Schmutzig to its right, this is characterised by positive little pockets and sharp edges. Good climb. Banana Boat was a brief finale, again led by Dale. A rather strange climb up a slabby groove before a steep but straitforward crux at the top over a mini roof.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Clwydian run
A repeat of the longer run we did on 29th December this evening, most of it done in the dark this time. We left Cadole at 4.40ish, then along the leat to Pantymywn, up the paths to Cilcain and then up to Pedair Groesffordd. Weather was breezy, fairly cold and very murky - particularly atmospheric running in the half-light of a January dusk. Very muddy as darkness fell at the Arthur col. Then the steep haul up OD to the ridge and all the way to the top of Famau via Moel Llys y Coed and Moel Dywyll. Enjoyable and interesting: by now pitch black, with a chilly wind. Managed to keep it going to the top of Famau, then down to Penbarras and back to Cadole via the forest car park and normal route through Loggerheads. A pint or two was welcome reward for a tough outing.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Dash in the dark
Race: Dash in the Dark race 1 (4m/750ft)
Time/Position: 27:36 (3rd from 30)
An enjoyable outing last night, racing in the first Dash in the Dark of the year from Llandegla. A nocturnal fell/trail race, and a great event. I took about two minutes off last year's time and had an interesting race. The winner took off immediately, to win by around two minutes. Another runner and I then found ourselves well ahead of fourth place, and so commenced a battle royale for the runners-up spot. He was pulling away on the descents down to the lake, which wasn't as boggy as last year, then I pushed the climbs (although probably not enough in retrospect). Basically kept with him for the entire route and we eventually finished neck and neck, as I rather annoyingly missed the opportunity for second place by literally one second! Still, a great race which filled a big gap in the 2009 race schedule. Intervals going quite well at the moment (3:19 pace and under), with a flat 16-miler on the 17th.
Time/Position: 27:36 (3rd from 30)
An enjoyable outing last night, racing in the first Dash in the Dark of the year from Llandegla. A nocturnal fell/trail race, and a great event. I took about two minutes off last year's time and had an interesting race. The winner took off immediately, to win by around two minutes. Another runner and I then found ourselves well ahead of fourth place, and so commenced a battle royale for the runners-up spot. He was pulling away on the descents down to the lake, which wasn't as boggy as last year, then I pushed the climbs (although probably not enough in retrospect). Basically kept with him for the entire route and we eventually finished neck and neck, as I rather annoyingly missed the opportunity for second place by literally one second! Still, a great race which filled a big gap in the 2009 race schedule. Intervals going quite well at the moment (3:19 pace and under), with a flat 16-miler on the 17th.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Four village loop
Trying to increase the training a bit, now some of the early targets for 2009 are booked in: Long Mynd, Edale Skyline, London, and a few possible big 'rounds'. On Saturday, the last day of cold weather, we did a hybrid fell/road/trail run from Cadole over Maeshafn and up the 'beast' to Bryn Alyn and down to Eryrys. Then over to Graianrhyd and back via Nercwys Mountain and Moel Findeg, using the tracks from the 4 villages mountain bike route. Around 2 hrs, although probably not all that far. Windy and rather muddy for a change.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Caernarfon Border League
Race: Caernarfon 10k (Border League round 4)
Time/Position: 37:20 (26/236)
Managed to stay consistent at the fourth border league fixture in Caernarfon yesterday, one down on Mold in 26th place. Went off fairly quickly over the first flat 4k along the Menai Straits in cold, drizzly conditions. Got into a small group, then managed to make up a small amount of ground during the hilly final half of the race and kept the pace up at the finish. Probably the most interesting of the BL routes, particularly nice to finish by the castle. On the Saturday, a family walk up Moel Findeg in superb weather with views of Snowdon and Arening. And a good run up Moel Famau on Friday evening: the sun setting over the Arans as we arrived at the icy summit.
Time/Position: 37:20 (26/236)
Managed to stay consistent at the fourth border league fixture in Caernarfon yesterday, one down on Mold in 26th place. Went off fairly quickly over the first flat 4k along the Menai Straits in cold, drizzly conditions. Got into a small group, then managed to make up a small amount of ground during the hilly final half of the race and kept the pace up at the finish. Probably the most interesting of the BL routes, particularly nice to finish by the castle. On the Saturday, a family walk up Moel Findeg in superb weather with views of Snowdon and Arening. And a good run up Moel Famau on Friday evening: the sun setting over the Arans as we arrived at the icy summit.
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