Carneddau run

Peaks: Foel Grach
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
The cloudbase was well below Allt Fawr and Foel Lus as we drove along the A55: a grim prospect indeed, although the forecast implied the possibility of a cloud inversion above 800m. So there was some optimism despite the clag as Peter and I ran along the contouring path above Aber falls to gain Cwm Afon Goch. Steady drizzle and thick clag - but this is always a nice place to be. It's been a few years since I last did the 1000m peaks race but I think I picked the right gully to gain the plateau between Yr Aryg and Bera Mawr - undoubtedly the fastest way to Llewellyn. This is a great navigation test, taking a southerly bearing until you hit Llwybr yr Aryg, the ancient path that cuts across the northern Carneddau. Not the slightest sign of a clearance, we were soaked to the skin as we plodded across the featureless hill. Satisfying to get it right, though, and a classic test of hillcraft, particularly as the track bifurcates at various points. Once on the main path, we made good progress although the weather remained awful and we were glad to reach the haven of the refuge on Foel Grach. Wet and with no sign of a clearance, we opted to shorten the circuit and pelted west down very runnable slopes to gain the mini-gorges at the top of Cwm Caseg, one of the wildest spots in North Wales. We then contoured round to gain the path towards Bethesda above Afon Wen. From here, we contoured high up to gain the little col below Moel Faban - finally out of the clag and drizzle. The ancient paths circling Moel Wnion give a superb run-in back to Aber: dried out in the Albion. Not as good, or as long, as the similar 20m circuit I did in August, but still a good way to end the year.