Carneddau loop

Peaks: Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewellyn

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

Another familiar outing, but with an interesting twist for the last day in April in that it started snowing just as I began the Llech Ddu spur and by the top of Llewellyn the landscape was entirely covered and the day became rather hostile. I set off from Gerlan, as usual on this loop, jogging up the lane that crosses the Llafar and Caseg streams. As with yesterday evening, the ground was still pretty dry in Cwm Llafar, usually a very boggy locale, although the weather was clearly on the turn with clouds scudding in from the north. The upper reaches of Cwm Llafar are some of the most dramatic in Eryri with the walls of Llech Ddu and Ysgolion Duon hemming the cwm in. In fact, all the high cwms of the Carneddau are some of my favourite parts of Snowdonia. I ploughed up the steep side valley below Llech Ddu then doubled back along the nicely exposed path that leads to the base of the Llech Ddu/Crib Lem spur, one of the best easy scrambles in Wales, albeit a little short. For position and isolation, though, it is unmatched. The snow was fairly light at first, and I took a direct line up the spur and thoroughly enjoyed it despite cold hands - only the 4th or 5th time I've done it. I didn't hang around, getting from the bottom of the scramble to the summit of Dafydd in 19.59. The snow was sticking on Dafydd and the mist was down, so I pelted along the familiar ridge to Llewellyn, reaching the top in 25 minutes. The weather had really closed in by now and it was very cold. The snow was of the dense variety making nav quite tricky, even though I had run from Llewellyn to Yr Elen just a couple of weeks ago. I ended up dropping down the very steep western slopes to Cwm Caseg in thick mist and diabolically slippery snow covered scree (particularly in old fell running shoes). I took my time, necessarily picking my way down, and eventually confirmed my location as the vague outline of Llyn Caseg began to show at the base of the cwm. This is one of the remotest spots in Snowdonia (another of my favourite places). Many years ago I came up here for some solo ascents of the snow gullies. It's a long way back to Bethesda, so I jogged at sustainable pace gently downhill, just enjoying the surroundings as the weather began to clear. By the time I reached the lower valley, the sun was out, the skylarks were singing, and the weather was warm: an extraordinary contrast. I popped out by the car in Gerlan completing a full loop with no retraced steps, so from an aesthetic perspective actually an improvement on the familar old Carneddau race route. Later that day, a five mile Collie jog in warm evening sunshine was a nice way to warm the bones.

Siabod loop

Peaks: Moel Siabod

Area: Moelwynion, Eryri

Last time I did Siabod from Pont Cyfyng was on my birthday with the whole family three years ago. It's a circuit I've done many times over many years but treated as a mini-session today as I was quite late starting off. Conditions were perfect for a quick time: it has been an extraordinarily dry April and it was nice and cool throughout. I took it easy on the steep tarmac, then pushed a little as it levels off towards the quarry pools. A sharp climb gains Cwm y Foel in its bowl below the Ddaear Ddu (SE ridge), usually a boggy hollow. Some bog today, but far better than usual and I took a good line up to the ridge. This is a bit too broad to take directly and always involves some weaving around, but I did it fairly directly and got to the trig in 48.22 from Pont Cyfyng, almost 5k uphill. Views were superb across to Yr Wyddfa and down to the sea - perfect clarity. I took the race descent straight down, always awkward through the rocks near the summit, and continued fairly cautiously to reach the A5 in 23 minutes. Warm down to Bryn Brethynau, the beautifully situated North London MC club hut (!) where I looked back up Siabod watching swallows feeding, and then to the pied flycatchers in Coed Hafod: a superb evening's entertainment.

Band of Hope

A slightly longer ride on the new bike, testing its climbing capabilities just a little. I decided to stay fairly close to home, formulating a 'boucle' with Hope at its centre. From HK, it is essentially a continuous climb through Penyffordd and Treuddyn up to Llandegla. Glorious though, with the scenery gradually shifting from pastoral to open moorland with views of distant Arenig and Aran. From Llandegla, I turned back to Bwlchgwyn, then the plummeting descent down to Cefn y Bedd and all the way down to Rossett for another scenic contrast. After two pork pies and a pepsi, I crossed the border and turned off for Eccleston, with trees in full blossom and birds singing: another wonderful spring day. Into Handbridge then home down Lache Lane - 62k in 2.30, which is OK by my appalling cycling standards. 

Trafford 3000

Race: Trafford 3k

Time/Position: 10.23 (1st V50)

Not an obvious place to be on yet another glorious spring day, but I was desperate to race again and these brilliant track meets were an obvious starting point as they are 'Covid-legal'. I've raced at Trafford twice before, and that represents (almost) the grand total of my track racing experience. My 3k PB is 9.49, recorded in 2013. I knew I couldn't run sub-10, as I've been training for very different things! I started getting a little more specific last week which is not exactly sensible or thorough preparation, but that has always been my approach - do everything averagely. As it happens, I'd been too conservative with my time prediction and found myself in the slowest heat. I was thoroughly enjoying myself three laps in, which is not really the idea! I was reluctant to take the lead, but had to after three laps and 'won' the heat fairly comfortably with a big negative split, 3.05/km pace on the last lap. Mixed emotions - it does bode well (I am currently ranked 9th V50 over the distance in the UK - doubt there have been many times recorded!), but I should have been a tad bolder. Plenty of chances to race the distance again this summer though.

Carreg Wastad

Crag: Carreg Wastad, Nant Peris

Routes: Skylon (HS 4b:led p.2), Crackstone Rib (S 4a:sec), First Test (VS 4c:sec), Wrinkle (VD)

The longest lay-off I've ever had from proper climbing, so this was always going to be tricky. I remained passenger for most of the day and was happy to do so, partly because I've led all these routes in the past anyway and partly because I have very little upper body stamina at present. I followed Vic up the first pitch of Skylon, which I've led in the past - it is easy bar one or two tricky moves where the crack steepens. I then led the simple final pitch up slabby shelves. Crackstone Rib is probably the best Severe in Wales but I didn't feel up to leading even this familiar and easy classic. It is always wonderful though, with its slabby traverse left to the brilliant exposed step on to the rib and tiptoeing finish upwards. First Test is a little more obscure and takes a not-very-obvious line up the vague corner right of Wrinkle. If we got the route right, it gives good climbing with sharp incut holds and an unsurprising lack of polish. It steepens at a white wall with good moves to a big hold (I've never done it before, as far as I can remember). I led a bit of the last pitch of the very simple Wrinkle (last done 30 years ago!) but didn't even fancy that.

Llewellyn loop from Aber

Peaks: Bera Mawr, Carnedd Gwenllian, Foel Grach, Carnedd Llewellyn, Yr Elen

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

A slightly refined version of a longish loop I've done twice before. That said, I included Bera Mawr, which always slows progress considerably. In essence, this is Carnedd Llewellyn from the coast, as it sets off from Aber and takes the 1000m peaks race route above Aber Falls and into Cwm Afon Goch, always a lovely place to be, particularly on a perfect spring morning (which this was initially). The route up the cwm is not easy, however, and twists around boulders and the river bed continually. I can never remember the exact race route, even though I've done it three times, and headed up to the plateau too early - this means a very steep climb up the side of the cwm to gain marshy ground below Bera Mawr. I was going slowly, and it looked like it would cloud over, so I decided to take in the complex top of Bera Mawr for the views (after all, it features on the cover of my new book). The rocks do slow you down, and by the time I rounded Yr Aryg it had clouded over and was pretty chilly. I began to speed up a little over Foel Grach and there were a few snowfields on the familiar climb up the north side of Llewellyn. Predictably cold at the summit, and I had it to myself despite the end of lockdown. Probably the least sun-drenched spot in Wales today, so I pelted down and across to Yr Elen, one of my favourite Welsh mountains. I always enjoy the view back to Llewellyn, and Ysgolion Duon looked pretty hostile and wintry today. Down the steep spur and then to the base of lonely Cwm Caseg following the old Carneddau race route towards the giant sheepfold. I drank from the stream and refuelled on authentic Turkish lokum, before taking a higher contouring line to leave Cwm Caseg than I have taken previously. There's a narrow path that loops the drystone wall and takes a comfortable line round the shoulder of Gyrn Wigiau to gain the valleys above Bethesda - much better than looping lower down. From the boggy base of Cwm Marchnad, I aimed for the gap between Moel Faban and Gyrn which gives access to the series of superb ancient tracks that lead north then east around the base of Moel Wnion. You get a raised grandstand view of the Menai Strait throughout - absolutely brilliant. Back to the car in Aber in a fairly relaxed 3.40.

Pot Hole climbing

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry

Routes: Selva (VS 4a:sec), Cristallo (VS 4b:sec), The Dog (HVS 5b:sec), Right Wall (E1 5c:sec)

Another training session at the old venue, kicking off with easy routes on the right and moving across to the better lines on the left. All of them done dozens of times before, the low crux on The Dog becomes harder and more polished with every passing year. By contrast, Right Wall is the nicest route on the crag now in my view, technical and interesting with sharp little incut holds. It was an absolutely glorious spring evening, so we finished with a run up Bryn Alyn and over to Findeg in crystal clear evening sunshine.

Tattenhall circuit

A pleasant bike ride, 60k or so, in perfect spring weather. I met Peter and Jeremy in HK and we rode out to Holt via Pulford and Rossett - always a long and exposed drag for the last few miles towards Holt, even when the winds are light. Over the old Dee bridge and into England, then we broke off from Churton towards the Peckforton Hills along a narrow lane with dreadful road surface. A pleasant cafe break in Tattenhall then back to Chester via quiet lanes, along the Dee and back down Lache Lane.

Cylch Machno Round

Peaks: Y Ro Wen, Foel Fras, Manod Mawr (Graig Ddu), Moel Marchyria

Area: Cwm Penmachno, Eryri

Another idea I have had in the back of my mind for some time, and as I was tired after recent mileage, and with a vicious wind likely, today seemed a good opportunity to head across to the ancestral home for an attempt to link the surrounding hills into a logical round. It was a brilliant outing, hard in places, but it definitely needs a little refinement as sections of it could be made even better and more challenging/logical. I parked in Penmachno itself, and took the Ty Mawr road which forks off to the north after a mile or so. A steep tarmac climb leads to the unmarked turn on to a boggy bridleway which leads via Bwlch y Groes to Dolwyddelan. I assume this is an ancient crossing point but now much of it is in conifer forest with multiple deep bogs slowing progress. At the bwlch, great views to a snowy Siabod, with the side peak of Drosgol nearby. I cut through the conifers to gain surprisingly comfortable terrain which I assumed lead towards Y Ro Wen. It did, and in fact I picked up a comfortable track towards the top which led to the summit. This has a surprisingly commodious wind shelter for such an obscure peak. Sadly, it did little to mitigate a vicious north-westerly which cut into me continually throughout this section. In response, I ducked down to the Machno side but was then surprised to find a path which led round the conifers of Cwm Penanmen to gain open ground below Foel Fras. Cwm Penanmen, above Dolwyddelan, is well-known for Carreg Alltrem and its little collection of excellent rock climbs. The weather was closing in a little, with sleet and low cloud. I ploughed up the front of Foel Fras to its unmarked summit, then came the worst part of the day - tussocks and bog along the plateau towards Llyn Bowydd and Cwt y Bugail. The latter is the sight of the most remote slate quarry of all, where taid worked in (I assume) the 1930s. It is at least 500m up, exposed to the full force of the westerly wind. It was an essential part of the 'round', as was Manod Mawr, which dominates the head of the valley. So I trudged dutifully up its steep slopes to the summit. Mist, snow, wind: no place to linger. The terrain down to Rhiw Bach quarry (another of taid's workplaces - visited with dad a few years ago) is complex, so I took a weaving line down to the winding house. I then had the opportunity to join the marked slate trail down to Cwm, but rejected this for a contouring line up to Moel Marchyria, fixated on the skyline. This was predictably pathless - very arduous until a track is gained. Very steep ground then leads to the lonely road up to Migneint. Down this to Carrog and Beniarth, before a 5k road jog back to Penmachno - 24k, 1300m. This needs refining to include Moel Penanmen, Llyn Conwy and Pen y Bedw: then it will be the full tour, industrial heritage and landscape combined.

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.