27.02.19
Cefn Cwm Coel (SN 891 647), Craig Fawr (SN 879 638) and Pen Garn Ddu (SN
891 628 [bwlch only])
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| Cefn Cwm Coel (SN 891 647) |
The hills of the Elenydd
are some of the most tranquil, and yet also some of the roughest anywhere in
the country. They are in the main open
hills, with only a few fences crossing their ridges, and consist of rough
grassland which in summer can be energy sapping and soul destroying. However, in late winter / early spring when
Sky Larks sing overhead and a cooling breeze sweeps across their desolate land
there are few other places I would rather be.
Today was forecast to be
the last day of the unseasonably warm weather and therefore with clear conditions
I decided to visit the hills between the Claerwen and Garreg Ddu / Caban Coch
reservoirs to the south-west of Rhaeadr Gwy (Rhayader).
As I set off on the
track leading toward the farm of Henfron blue sky radiated from above casting
early morning colour with the sun glinting through the trees that sprung up
beside the waters of the Garreg Ddu Reservoir.
The track led through old deciduous woodland and gave to a leisurely
pace.
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| Glinting light |
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| The bridge spanning the Garreg Ddu and Caban Coch reservoirs |
The bridge spanning the
waters between the Garreg Ddu and Caban Coch reservoirs merged grey in the
background giving an ethereal feel to the land.
Although the track was shaded with dappled light the sun and blue sky
heralded a warm day ahead on the hill.
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| The track leading to Henfron farm |
As I gained height past
the farm of Henfron the wilderness of the Elenydd opened up with its bleached
moor and rough grassland. Ahead lay the
summit of Cefn Cwm Coel which had been reclassified to 500m Sub-Uchaf status in
February 2017 with 14m of drop based on the 489.6m LIDAR bwlch data analysed by
Aled and the 504m Ordnance Survey summit spot height. I wanted to take summit and bwlch data with
the Trimble to ascertain this hill’s accurate drop value.
Beyond the last gate I
followed vehicle tracks on the moor and only left these when the summit ridge
came in to view. Once off the vehicle
track the underfoot conditions became rough with grassed tussocks and heather
the order of the day. Surrounding me the
land shone a tinged subtle and bleached yellow, a marvellous sight.
I spent 40 minutes on
the summit of Cefn Cwm Coel and took data sets from four potential summit
positions. During this I looked out on
my next objective; this hill’s connecting bwlch to Craig Dyfnant, and it looked
a wild inhospitable place consisting of an extremely large bog.
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| One of four data sets gathered on the summit area of Cefn Cwm Coel |
The openness of these
hills can take time to adjust to, as there are few features for the eye to
follow, just rising land to more open hills and rounded grassed ridges leading
in to the distance. Once I had packed
the survey equipment away I tried to follow a sheep track through the tussocks
down to the connecting bwlch. By now my
mind was adjusting to the landscape with its openness a thing of beauty however
rough the underfoot conditions.
Nearing the bwlch the
land turned from bleached tussock to dulled brown heather, and the grid
reference produced for the critical point from Aled’s LIDAR analysis led me
through a never ending land of heather and bog, which today after the warm
weather of late was thankfully relatively dry.
I stood and enjoyed my
surroundings as the Trimble gathered its customary five minutes of data. The bog only ended as the land rose toward
the eastern slopes of Craig Dyfnant, and I wondered where my best route lay
toward the next survey point; the bwlch of Craig Fawr. Once the Trimble had gathered its allotted
data I set off on a direct course toward the next bwlch and soon regretted my
decision as the underfoot conditions proved extremely rough, soon however I
found another sheep track that thankfully led me toward another relatively dry
bog.
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| Gathering data at the critical bwlch of Cefn Cwm Coel |
This next bwlch proved
to be situated in another stunning place, with a slender water course
indicating the slow ebb of the ups and downs.
I took two data sets and after activating the equipment to log data I
marched off across the bog so as not to get in the way of satellite reception
and straight in front of me a large bird silently took flight, I had a glimpse
of a rounded head as it flew away to nestle back on the moor. I had disturbed a Short-eared Owl.
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| Gathering data at one of two positions surveyed for the critical bwlch of Craig Fawr |
It proved a slow plod up
to the summit of Craig Fawr which has a number of contenders for its summit
position. I took data from three points,
during which I looked out on the blued waters of the Claerwen Reservoir as the
first signs of delicate westerly mist slowly rolled in.
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| The Claerwen Reservoir |
Once all points judged
to be worthy of summit contention had been surveyed I packed the Trimble away
and headed east toward a slight rise overlooking steepening ground. I’d overheated on my ascent but had welcomed
the morning’s cooling breeze as height was gained, but now I needed to convert
my walking trousers to shorts and take my spring fleece off as it was so warm,
I cannot remember having to do this on the hills in February before.
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| Gathering data at the summit of Craig Fawr |
I did wonder if I should
continue to Pen Garn Ddu and Gurnos but decided that time and the warmth of the
day dictated that it was time to descend, but not before one last survey of the
critical bwlch of Pen Garn Ddu.
This was again placed in
a large bog that was thankfully relatively dry.
Its yellowed tinge almost glowed in the afternoon sunlight. I sat during data collection and let my mind
wander, as I also did once the equipment was packed away and I walked the few
metres back toward a gate.
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| Gathering data at the critical bwlch of Pen Garn Ddu |
It had proved a
beautiful day on these hills, and again I stopped by the next gate entrance and
rested in the warmth of the day. This
gave access on to a track which led through the conifer plantation to my
awaiting car.
Having followed the
forest track down I lingered beside the road bridge spanning the Garreg Ddu and
Caban Coch reservoirs taking a series of photos and talking with a number of
people who were out enjoying the warmth of the day.
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| The Garreg Ddu Reservoir and Valve Tower |
The subtle greys of the
morning against this bridge had been replaced with succulent colour and dappled
reflections. I was in no rush and
savoured the time here. Just looking and
enjoying. But as with everything, there
comes a time to leave. It had been a good
day on the hill with the Elenydd beckoning for another visit shortly.
Survey Result:
Cefn Cwm Coel
Summit Height: 503.0m (converted to OSGM15)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 89142 64733
Bwlch Height: 489.6m (converted to OSGM15)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 88436 65372
Drop: 13.4m (500m Sub-Uchaf deletion)
Dominance: 2.66%
Craig Fawr
Summit Height: 517.9m (converted to OSGM15)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 87939 63846
Bwlch Height: 475.7m (converted to OSGM15)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 88241 64748
Drop: 42.1m
Dominance: 8.14%
Pen Garn Ddu
Summit Height: 466.5m (LIDAR)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 89125 62814
Bwlch Height: 415.2m (converted to OSGM15)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 88854 63617
Drop: 51.3m (LIDAR summit and Trimble bwlch)
Dominance: 11.00% (LIDAR summit and Trimble bwlch)
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