Ras Pedol Cwm Pennant

Race: Cwm Pennant Horseshoe fell race (28k/6000ft)
Peaks: Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn, Trum y Ddisgyl, Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, Craig Cwm Silyn, Garnedd Goch
Time/Position: 2.55.10 (8th from 80)
A superb route, looping round all the peaks that encircle this most beautiful of valleys, subject of Eifion Wyn's famous poem. It's a very recent addition to the calendar, and was part of the Welsh Champs this year: an exciting prospect and a much needed additional long mountain race in North Wales. Nice weather, high cloud, not too hot, as we set off from the hostel on the very long climb up towards Moel Hebog. This is relatively gentle, and I kept the usual tortoise-like pace churning over until we reached the open hill with views out over the Moelwynion and later, Snowdon. A steeper section led to Moel Hebog summit in 48 minutes. A very steep descent to Bwlch Meillionen, moving up the field a little. Then a steep but very enjoyable climb through a rocky gully up to Moel yr Ogof - where Owain Glyndwr was pursued by a 'strong English party' 600 years ago! Superb running along the continuation ridge to Moel Lefn then through the tortuous and twisting terrain leading through the slate quarries, crags and bluffs down to Bwlch y Ddwy Elor. After Jura and our week in Scotland, I felt I had a bit of endurance (at least by my usual sorry standards), but was still pleased to feel good and strong (again, by my sorry standards) for the scenic ridge and steep climb up to the edge of Trum y Ddisgyl. The route then gets even better, as it takes in the best section of the Nantlle Ridge - which I haven't been on for a good few years. Narrow and rocky, with some mist starting to roll in, brilliant stuff. Simon E was pushing me the whole way, and we were steadily moving through the field. We took a direct scrambling line up the rocks of Craig Cwm Silyn with Noel from Eryri and seemed momentarily to be gaining on the small group in front. But the subsequent ridge crossing was tricky in the mist and we were lured off course along a spur. We righted ourselves after a quick bearing, and soon got back on course, but we inevitably slowed down and lost a couple of minutes. Over rocky terrain to the final peak of Garnedd Goch, then the arduous descent down Cwm Ciprwth. I'd never been here before: it's a wild and pathless valley, characterised by a very awkward combination of tussocks, heather, rock and hidden ditches. Simon and I did run it, but slowly, and only picked up the pace for the better path down through the beautiful lower reaches that give access to Cwm Pennant itself. Then comes a long 3k+ road section (more echoes of the Jura race) on which I started well, but began to fade as we approached the finish. Simon went past and I limped home, painfully slowly, through a final series of fields and draining short climbs.