Hebog-Nantlle

Peaks: Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn, Gyrn, Trum y Ddisgyl, Mynydd Drws y Coed, Y Garn

Area: Hebog/Nantlle, Eryri

Last time I did this route, in 2019, I concluded that the Paddy was probably a tad too hard for me. This is the shortest of the five legs, and isn't all that arduous, although the terrain is tricky. Today, the weather was so wonderful that I decided not to bother with Bryn Banog and went straight up Hebog from my parking spot in Beddgelert. It was early, and in contrast to yesterday the hills were completely empty. In fact, I didn't see anyone all day - but the weather was even better. I felt tired on the famously steep climb up Hebog - which, frustratingly, I have done way more quickly in the past (I've done the race three times). I was particularly slow for the section up Y Diffwys, a crumbling rock band. The reward, however, was stunning summit views: there was a soft band of mist to the west and south with Yr Eifl and the Moelwynion peeking above it. Closer at hand, some tendrils of mist were still draped over Nant Gwynant. Snowdon and and my onward route to Nantlle were all radiant, stunning clarity. After a wonderful few minutes enjoying the views, I ran down the steep slopes to gain the weird cleft that leads up Moel yr Ogof - memories of the Pedol Cwm Pennant which I ran twice (far quicker than this!). Moel Lefn is awkward to the summit, and I rested a while before the slatey descent towards Bwlch y Ddwy Elor. From here, I took the Paddy line up Gyrn, a short but horrible additional climb that nobody in their right mind would normally bother with (indeed I've never been up Gyrn before). Tenuous paths lead over this to finally gain the bwlch, after which the nasty climb up Trum y Ddisgyl is pretty relentless. I remember flying up this on the first Cwm Pennant race, feeling very good indeed. Quite a contrast today, slow and increasingly dehydrated as the heat built. The best section of the Nantlle Ridge comes next, however, and I perked up for the rocky ridge over Drws y Coed to Y Garn - always enjoyable but particularly so today with great views across to Mynydd Mawr and Snowdon. From Y Garn, an awkward descent down Cwm Marchnad leads to a stream and a very welcome drink. After this, and a snack, I felt revitalised for the run down fire tracks through the forest to Pont Cae Gors - a Paddy changeover point. Around 5 or 6k down twisting tracks with some additional climbing leads back to Beddgelert.

Bochlwyd/Idwal horseshoe

Peaks: Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, Y Garn

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

A slight variation on an old favourite, done multiple times over many years. The weather was stunning, always my favourite time of year in the Welsh hills (and everywhere else) and lockdown was only partially released (to Welsh residents) so the crowds weren't too bad. I went for this grand old circuit, but planned to take in the Gribin rather than Bristly, as I've done that a few times recently. I scampered up Tryfan's north ridge in 47 minutes precisely, always enjoyable, then veered off the south ridge descent towards Bochlwyd. A drink from the stream, then over the outflow to pick up the path leading up Y Gribin. This stays very gentle until the top section and is another route I have done dozens of times over the decades. I took a little break on the Glyder plateau, reliving old days in Cwm Cneifion, tracing the lines of Manx Wall, Y Gully and Hidden Gully, all of which I retain vivid memories of! Stunning views from the top of Fawr across to Yr Wyddfa, perfect clarity and not many people around. It was warm and still - it doesn't get much better. Down the scree to Llyn y Cwn and then I upped the pace a bit for the climb up Y Garn (exactly 15 minutes). After a wonderful few minutes at the summit, marred slightly by a drone, I ran straight back to Ogwen cottage in 22 minutes, down Banana Ridge via Idwal. Around 2.5 hours for the circuit, after which I had a picnic lunch in Mynydd Llandygai overlooking the Carneddau as the weather got even better.

Berwyn extension from Dyffryn Ceiriog

Peaks: Mynydd Tarw, Foel Wen, Cadair Berwyn, Moel Sych

Area: Berwyn

The best route in the Berwyns is probably the horseshoe around Cwm Maen Gwynedd. I've done it a few times over the years but one of the big problems is parking (there is none in the valley). This large extension gets round that problem by starting miles away in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, and it also massively extends the loop to 32k with 1400m ascent. Jez joined me, and we set off in bracing sunshine and strong winds for the long climb out of the Ceiriog valley. This road is very quiet, so the tarmac is no hardship, and eventually leads to big views out over mid Wales before descending to the very quiet Cwm Maen Gwynedd itself. We ploughed up the front of Mynydd Tarw, which is very steep indeed, before embarking on the excellent ridge over Foel Wen towards Ffordd Saeson (which has great historical significance) and the menhir which I assume is 'maen Gwynedd' itself. We went straight up the steep ridge to the main Berwyn ridge, which had a little light snow on it. A cold wind blew, but it was somewhat lighter here than it was on the road luckily. Over Cadair Berwyn to Moel Sych and a short break, before the superb descent into the jaws of Llanrhaedr, the over-deepened valley rising from Llanrhaedr y Mochnant and culminating in Pistyll Rhaedr and Llyn Lluncaws, two of North Wales' most outstanding features. The views are wonderful, and the glowering skies (it had long since clouded over) made it even better. We took in the views from the top of the waterfall before descending the zigzags to the Pistyll Rheader car park. I've only been here a couple of times as it is so inaccessible for us. A long road section down this lovely valley led to a junction a mile or two before LyM. We decided to avoid the village, and cut back along extremely quiet lanes north through the isolated but beautiful valley of the Afon Lwrch. I don't think I have ever been up this valley before, which is quite remarkable. After lovely relaxed running with the sun peeping through, we arrived back in Cwm Maen Gwynedd and embarked on the long climb back over to Llanarmon DC. Around 3.5 hours of gentle running, a superb start to the Easter break and a great way to celebrate the end of the Welsh lockdown (which ended today).

Taith Famau

The full tour, starting at the bottom car park, running up to Bwlch Penbarras then down the Hotfoot descent route to the Vale of Clwyd side. Round the bottom of Moel y Gaer then down to Nant y Ne and up to the summit via the Gully. From the top, I took the full OD descent over Moel Dywyll and Llys y Coed to the Moel Arthur car park. Then down to Cilcain church and the Pump House before climbing back up to the top via the race route and down the direct descent to the bottom car park. This route maximises the scenery and climbing on our small hill, but never covers the same ground: well over 1000m ascent.

Old Horseshoe Pass loop

Arguably the most brutal road climb in north-east Wales, I wanted to incorporate it into a meaningful loop with OHP as the climax. I have run it before (at the end of a truncated Llangollen Round) and I've cycled up it (which is even harder). But this loop went from the Ponderosa to the top of Cyrn y Brain (9.58). Then across the always boggy plateau to join OD, before a long section on quiet roads to Pentredwr, girding the loins before the vicious climax up the 'Old Shoe'. It climbs over 700ft in a mile with almost no respite - despatched in a respectable 11.25 from Pentredwr to the Ponderosa.

Anafon return

A blast up to Anafon from the A55 at Aber by way of a modest training session. I wanted to see if I could break the hour, there and back. I couldn't, but I did go reasonably well up the tarmac to the track that leads into the wild upper cwm. The mist was right down, but began to dissipate from Llwytmor as I reached the lonely shores of the lake. I didn't really go full gas on the descent until I reached the tarmac, and then I did to record a slightly disappointing 1.07 for the 13k/550m climb there and back from the A55.

Brymbo horseshoe

Perhaps more accurate to call this the Nant y Ffrith horseshoe, although that wouldn't be strictly geographically precise either. I cycled to Cefn y Bedd, staying within lockdown rules, intent on exploring the urban side first. Again, this is a function of lockdown. There was a time, not long ago, that I was exploring the South Pacific, West Africa, Central America, the Caucasus. Now I get my kicks from the Wrexham suburbs. A week or two ago, I did an interesting loop through this post-industrial landscape from Gwersyllt to Bryn Teg and Wrexham. Today, I headed to Sydallt, climbing up to join the Blast Road through the terraced streets of Brymbo to gain the site of the old steelworks, now regenerated as a little park: it's a very interesting town, of course, with a fascinating industrial history. From here, I left the urban half of the horseshoe and ran down to the Bwlchgwyn road. On the other side of this, a charming 3k (very undulating) route leads along the Glascoed road to join more familiar terrain above Ffrith. This comes out at the hairpin in Bwlchgwyn after another lengthy climb. From here, steep paths lead down to Nant y Ffrith, before a long climb goes up into the woods and eventually joins the rocky path to the top of Pen Llan y Gwr, a huge contrast with the other side of the valley. Next comes the familiar 'dream descent' from woods to road, then down to Ffrith village, then Cymau, and through the Ffrwd nature reserve back to Cefn y Bedd and a bike ride home. 

Pot Hole climbing

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry

Routes: Unaided (VS 4b:sec), Treffynon (VS 4b:sec), Grizzly (HVS 5a:sec)

As with races, climbing has been completely obliterated by Covid. In fact, I haven't climbed properly since summer 2019. I did an easy mountaineering route in Spain, but it is just one of those things that had to be sacrificed last year - any limited freedom meant that just being in the hills was a relief. This was certainly not a return to climbing - just a brief top-roping session at a venue I've been visiting for well over 30 years. No finger/arm strength and battered old shoes (my new ones were stolen in Bergamo) made life predictably difficult, but it was great to be back even if only in the most limited way imaginable. 

Maelor ride

A little longer than recent rides, which have all been aimed at recovering from long runs, this took me out to the English Maelor via Holt and Farndon. After crossing the Dee, I joined some of the lanes taken by January's 'Borders 50' (which was actually longer than this ride!), all very pleasant, and took a short break at Worthenbury (probably the low point of the Borders 50, furthest away from home). Through Bangor and the racecourse, then along undulating lines to Overton where I stopped for a snack opposite the church. The return leg took me through the middle of Wrexham and Caia Park - home via Cefn y Bedd.

The Big Link

This more or less exhausts the most ambitious (and feasible) lockdown options from the front door. After the big Borders 50 miler in January, earlier marathon distance lockdown runs to the top of Moel Famau and back, and the compass point 20 milers, a plan to formulate a giant link-up of the hills of north-east Wales from my front door began to hatch. It was a beautiful morning, but unfortunately I felt a bit tired on the plod up the lanes towards Hope. I took a series of paths over the top of Hope Mountain then dropped down to Llanfynydd through the woods. Lovely warm sunshine, despite the early hour, as I crested Pen Llan y Gwr, continuing along the Wales Link Path (finding the right way this time) down to Four Crosses. From here, a path leads to the Nant y ffrith reservoir, after which I took a wrong turn, ending up in hellish bog and tussocks on the far side of the lake. Eventually, I gained the main Wrexham road, and turned off into the Llandegla forest to join the 10k route. This gave a perfect contouring line with more climbing until I dropped down back to the main road and turned into the village. As with the Borders 50, I was entirely dependent on particular village shops being open, and fortunately the Llandegla community shop was! After a cheese pastie and tunnocks tea cake, I was ready to go back to the fray for the lovely section of OD that follows the stream valley before climbing steeply up to Moel y Plas. This entire section is always good, my favourite part of the Clwydians, but was particularly special today - coming as it did in the middle of this giant loop, beautiful 'spring' weather, and very few people around because of lockdown. I skirted Moel Llanfair and Moel Gyw via the standard OD path, crossed the road at Clwyd Gate, and began to slow a little on the long drag up Fenlli. It was all really enjoyable, despite the increasing fatigue, and I took a little break on top of Famau. From here, the relatively simple matter of 13-14 mainly downhill miles back home remained. I descended down to the leat, then up to Pantymwyn and tiringly down weary willy to Mold, where I took a Boots sarnie and a coke! Thus fortified, the final climb up to Buckley (an urban mountain!) went surprisingly well, although the subsequent descent to HK was a tad uncomfortable: 58.2k/1771m in exactly 7 hours.

North Wales virtual 10m champs

'Race': North Wales Virtual 10m

Time/Position: 1.01.20 (12th from 35 [2nd V50])

I was reasonably optimistic for this, having had a few good recent tempo runs over the distance on hilly terrain. In the event, however, my pace was actually slower than the virtual half I ran in December. I probably should have waited until Sunday, as it was windy and wet this morning. Under full lockdown, I had to go from my front door so opted for the familiar loop down to Burton, then across to Lavister and back via Pulford and Dodleston. A cross-headwind made life hard initially, but this turned into something of a tailwind for the long haul between Pulford and Gorstella. Morgan accompanied me on the bike again, which was a great help, but much to my disappointment I just couldn't sustain sub-6 pace and slipped well outside my target time (and even further behind my PB set 10 years ago). Lost out on the V50 title by 12 seconds. 

Tal y Fan variants

Peaks: Tal y Fan

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

Tal y Fan from Conwy has long been a favourite run of mine. This morning, I varied the usual ascent via Hendre by taking the steep road past the Berthlwyd caravan site, which leads to a lovely steep twisting path right to the top of Maen Esgob. This is an obscure locale but a nice mini-peak with excellent views. From here, I followed familiar tracks past the stone circle to turn off for the quarry. Above, very steep slopes lead to the top of Tal y Fan and superb views across to the central Carneddau in constantly changing atmospheric conditions. It was great to be back in the midst of this longest of all lockdowns. I varied the descent from Sychnant to take in the wooded bridleway that leads up the side of Conwy Mountain. 

Wales Link Path loop

I've been looking at the Link Path signs for a while now. Launched in 2017, it links the Welsh coast path at Saltney with Offa's Dyke at Llandegla. As such, it goes through many fields near home. A frosty day seemed essential, so it was that Jez and I set off in the early morning for Honkley. The fields were indeed frozen solid, and it felt like running across tundra (I imagine) all day. The plan was to follow the link path religiously (it weaves round a lot in its attempt to avoid tarmac). Much of it was familiar, but some surprisingly was not. From Caer Estyn, it heads up towards Bryn Yorkin high above Hope and then joins familiar paths through the woods to Ffrith and beyond. The terrain higher up is excellent, with view over Cyrn y Brain and a real upland feel. We doubled back at this point, heading for home on small lanes through Llanfynydd, over Waun y Llyn, and home via the lake: 32k/850m or so.

Hope Mountain deluxe

 Another vague idea I had stored away for years but never bothered to do. Lockdown offered an opportunity, so at the crack of dawn I took the mountain bike to Hope and then executed the plan: a quadruple ascent, with different ascent/descent routes throughout. The first course was around the shoulder to Tir y fron, the northern ascent, which then takes a very steep lane to the bridleway north of Waun y Llyn: a tough start. Down towards Coed Talon, then I cut left to gain climb number two: up to Horeb from the Llanfynydd road: just as steep as the TyF climb. From the Waun y Llyn trig, straight down the Mountain Road and back to the starting point! Climb number three takes Porch Lane from Caergwrle, arguably the toughest of them all. Some snow and ice on this made life tricky, but I emerged unscathed on the bottom road. This was even icier, but the conditions were a help for the connecting path over the fields which leads to the 'top road'. I went straight across, below the crags, on the paths to descend the tunnel of pain to Llanfynydd. Through the village, then up climb number four to Pen Rhiw. This completed the set, and the full tour, particularly as I then descended via Bryn Yorkin back to Caergwrle and then the Mold road to my bike.

Borders 50

My lockdown philosophy has evolved slightly to create memories which positively embrace the extremely limited confines: to see the restrictions as an opportunity to do things you would never usually do, and to explore the immediate region in immense detail. This can work well - witness last year's virtual marathon and a number of other initiatives. I had a day off today, so decided to make it memorable with a pre-planned solo ultra, in effect a double road marathon from the front door taking in a giant 50 mile/81km loop of my border region. I carried nothing but a bank card, a boiled sweet and half a sandwich, depending on the only two village shops I was likely to pass for sustenance. It was cold and frosty as I set off at first light, plodding at a gentle pace through Bretton and Saltney to Chester, along the Dee Banks through Boughton and out on the misty, frozen lanes towards Saighton. These were all quiet and pleasant, a special atmosphere in the dank mist. I was comfortable and enjoying myself, although sadly the lanes were flooded at Bruera, and wet feet make you considerably less comfortable. I then headed inexorably east to the Tattenhall road, weaving north past the ice cream factory and heading to Beeston. I had hoped the castle would be a useful marker/target, but in the mist I couldn't see it - even when I was on the road below it. From here, I headed south along the road that traverses the eastern side of the Peckforton hills. Then came the route's only flaw - a short section along the Nantwich-Wrexham road. Not much fun, but it was short-lived and I soon notched up marathon distance in a plodding 3.40 or so. It was all going well, but it became imperative that the shop in Tilston was open - I was totally dependent on it, carrying no water and just a bank card and mask! It was open, so I headed in for food and drink which I ate on the road out to Shocklach. I carried on at a reasonable, but slow pace until notching up the 50k (very likely a genuine PB at 4.37). The pace dropped a little for the long, twisting lanes back into Wales at Worthenbury, possibly new territory for me, thereby achieving a lockdown aim of finding new places close to home. The lowpoint of the day came next, with a long haul to Bangor, which was a bit of a struggle. But there was a shop in Bangor, and after a cheese and onion sarnie I perked up across the wonderful old Dee bridge and steep climb to Cross Lanes. An unpleasant and lengthy haul through the Wrexham industrial estate, and finally I gained 'home ground' on the Borras road to Marford, with the usual lovely views over the Cheshire plain to the Peckforton Hills - very satisfying to look across and see my route through that countryside. Down to Rossett, then along Stringers Lane for an extra victory lap round HK to notch up 50 miles/80k in 8:13, a good working day. I dubbed it the Borders Ultra: a neo-classic!

Clwydian run and ride

A period of stunning weather, and a new lockdown without end. All very frustrating, but with no chance of getting to Snowdonia the Clwydians was the best option today - high pressure after heavy snowfall, rare enough to warrant a special effort. So I cycled to Mold from the front door, all within the rules, and left the bike at the Buckley roundabout. From here, a weaving route gains the steep road up to the Owain Glyndwr, the quickest way into the hills from Mold. The conditions were enchanting, and got better with the height gained - snow draped trees, several inches blanketing the roads. The sky was deep blue, totally cloudless, with no wind as I ploughed up Moel Findeg. Some of the best Clwydian views I've ever had, so I continued through Maeshafn down to Llanferres and up Moel Famau from the bottom car park. With road access banned due to the lockdown, and conditions acting as a further deterrent, I had the route up Moel Famau to myself in the most stunning conditions - very thick snow, all trees draped, deep drifts higher up, and nobody at all at the summit. Another lockdown memory that will stay with me: a unique, magical set of circumstances, with the low sun dropping slowly over a crystal white Berwyn. I have been up Moel Famau at least a thousand times but can not recall a better view. My descent took me down to Pantymwyn, then down the legendary (and very icy) weary willy into Mold town centre. The snow disappeared as I dropped lower and lower on my bike ride home. 

Hope Mountain semi-whiteout

Snow falling, and light fading, but it was all too mild in HK. So I headed out for an impromptu run to Hope to check on conditions. They looked superb, with thick snow blanketing the mountain and heavy snow falling. The mist was lowering, the atmosphere superb, so I decided to head straight up through very obscure, very steep paths through the woods (finding some short-lived icy scrambling, a little-known possibility on certain, secret parts of Hope Mountain) emerging at the archery centre and then ploughing across a field that was unknown to me. In thick mist and heavy snow it was almost like being in the Cairngorms for a while! I emerged at the middle road, then took the connecting path to the top road and even deeper snow. It was falling heavily again, and continued for most of the descent until the familiar sleet resumed as I dropped down to HK with little light left.

HK-Peckforton

I have three 'compass point' runs from home, all of which I've done in 2020, all of which are around 20m and scenically interesting with a challenging mix of terrain. North heads to Hilbre, South heads to Llangollen, West heads to Denbigh. I've done 'south' and 'west' twice, 'north' once, but I'd never tried 'east' before today as I'm slightly prejudiced about it as a direction of travel! The first few miles are relaxed and on tarmac, from HK to Balderton and then up the long drag to Eccleston. From here I took the ultra muddy Dee path to Aldford, and then headed direct to Lea Farm, new territory for me. It was always likely I would be caught out by flooding (as opposed to mere mud) at some point, and so I was - on a section of Bishop Bennett's Way which disappeared under a metre of water after a mile of boggy fields. I cut across the fields looking for a way to cross the swollen Aldford Brook. Eventually I found a bridge, and fields led to Milton Green before fast tarmac to Tattenhall. Then came the very familiar TTT opening up the long drag to Burwardsley and the Pheasant, where I met K and E for a walk along the Sandstone Trail and a cold picnic. This 'easterly' route needs some refining before I can add it to the roster. It's a bit too short at a tad over 16 miles, and very awkward in these wet conditions. Beeston might make a more distinctive objective. 

Nos Galan virtual 5k

Race: Nos Galan virtual 5k (HK-Bretton)

Time: 18.15

After enjoying Nos Galan so much last year, I entered the virtual event, only to find it was non competitive. So, with no need to race I just ran from home to Bretton, recording a perfunctory time to submit, then continued running to the Roodee for a family walk.

North Llyn traverse

More by luck than judgement, this lengthy outing took place just before the latest Welsh lockdown. A long run along the North Llyn coast had been forming as a vague plan for some time, as I have tried to spend a little more time exploring the Llyn this year. In the event, it exceeded my expectations and Jez joined me (two cars being essential) for the 6am start from HK, driving the entire width of north Wales to park beyond Uwchmynydd at the stunning tip of the Llyn overlooking Bardsey. For me, this location matches anything in the British Isles, and a 45mph tailwind then blew us up Mynydd Mawr, an easy start. Joining the coast path, the next section is scenically stunning, descending towards Porth Llanllawen and rounding Mynydd Anelog - another of the mini-mountains that characterises this end of Llyn. I was slipping and sliding immediately, my trail shoes an unwise choice given the volume of rain we have had. It was immensely muddy in places, and a very heavy shower blew in for the next section along the fabulous coastline (much lower cliffs here) to Porth Oer, the famous whistling sands, which I haven't visited since childhood. The running was easier here, and after another soaking heavy shower, it started to dry off for the easy terrain to Traeth Penllech (seals, choughs), and even a little sunshine peeked through the clouds. Beyond this, however, it became immensely muddy, and multiple isolated coves make life tricky with multiple switchbacks and some tricky river crossings where the high tide merged with outflows in spate (Porth Ysglaig, for example). The gentler pastoral feel then gives way to the weird interlude of Morfa Nefyn and its golf course - joltingly suburban and strange. We saw plenty of people here, of course, the only humans we saw all day apart from a few surfers. The section round Porth Dinllaen was hard to follow, but it did mean we took in the famous Ty Coch. High tide meant we had to climb an exposed dune system back to the golf course - all a bit draining. It was then an essential part of the plan to get food in Nefyn, so we detoured inland for a bit of road running then a tasteless pasty. After more road, normal service was resumed at Pistyll, where the route again becomes wilder and wilder, skirting Penrhyn Glas before fantastic running on high ground which then descends towards the peerless Nant Gwrtheyrn - undoubtedly one of Wales' finest sights, and that is even more marked when descending from the south towards the sea through a unique sessile oak woodland. From the wild beach, we climbed through the deserted language centre then all the way up the tarmac to Bwlch yr Eifl (the route I took for one of my first post-lockdown outings in summer). A final freezing shower of hail as we crested the pass, the day's highpoint, before descending rough ground to Trefor and an unexpected final loop around the coast with a stunning sunset beyond Carreg y Llam, the cliffs of Yr Eifl plunging down to the sea. Then, finally, back on the road through Gyrn Goch to Clynnog Fawr. Around 55k, with over 6000ft of climbing, 6.5 hours, with the mud slowing progress. A memorable end to 2020, all the more so as the latest lockdown was announced during the outing.