Berwyn traverse

Peaks: Moel Sych, Cadair Berwyn
Area: Berwyn, Eryri
Another opportunity to observe Morgan outside his natural habitat, but whereas last year the Scouts opted for a relatively gentle loop of the Crafnant valley this was a rather more ambitious outing. When I heard the plan - to traverse the range from south-west (Llangynog) to north-east (Cynwyd) I was a bit sceptical and frankly worried about the two younger boys' prospects. I love point-to-point outings but they are committing, and the weather was bad as we set off from Llangynog in heavy sleet and clouds wreathing Craig Rhiwarth. We walked down the little road in the Tanat Valley that I'd cycled down on the Wild Wales challenge last August, then headed up through atmospheric birch woodland into Cwm Glan Hafon. I'd never been here before, and the sleet turned to snow as we traversed under Garnedd Wen to pick up the bridleway down to the next valley over (which contains Pistyll Rhaedr). The rain eased now, but had left a good covering of snow higher up. In the valley, mist began to peel away from the crags as the waterfall came into view - Wales' most impressive. After a dank lunch, we continued up Nant y Llyn towards the main Berwyn ridge. The younger boys began to slow, inevitably, and we split into two groups: more encouragingly, the mist cleared to reveal blue skies and a snowy Berwyn ridge. From Lluncaws we moved up the ridge - windy and cold - me supporting Morgan at times. He was tiring as the mist came down again, but perked up for a superb crossing of the ridge to Cadair Berwyn as the mist intermittently cleared with some spectacular effects. By Bwlch Maen Gwynedd, it was thick again - and a headtorch finish seemed inevitable as the boys slowed considerably. Over Moel Pearce and Moel Ty Uchaf, the moon rising in a purple sky and tendrils of mist peeling away from the hills to the north. Lovely soft light, and we reached the road above Pont yr Hendwr in the last glimmers of daylight. I headed off on a long road slog to pick up the car in Cynwyd.