The Berwyn Hills (BB)
The mountains of North Wales attract hill-walkers and mountaineers from all over the UK and beyond, and no wonder. The peaks of Snowdonia are the ones that people drive miles for, but there are hidden ranges of hills that no one talks about much. Some of these hills aren’t even all that high, but they are gnarly little blighters! People often write about the long views, the big skies, etc – they usually fail to mention the bogs and the waist high heather though ……
The South Ridge of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Yr Wyddfa (or Snowdon as we English call it) is one of the most visited mountain peaks in the UK. Being the highest mountain in Wales (and higher than anything in England) is guaranteed to bring in the crowds, but the rack-and-pinion railway that runs from Llanberis to the summit also boosts the number of visitors. Yr Wyddfa is not the place to seek solitude, but going up via the south Ridge is the best bet to have a quiet day.
“So if you feel a little glum,
To Hergest Ridge you should come.
In summer, winter, rain or sun,
It’s good to be on horseback”. From “On Horseback” by Mike Oldfield
Border Collie ‘Mist’ chilling out on Hergest Ridge
In 1973 an unknown musician released an album that shot straight to the top of the album charts. Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells was the first title on the newly formed Virgin record label, and it helped to make Richard Branson a very happy (and rich) man! The follow up album in 1974 entered the album charts at number 1 only to be displaced by its predecessor, Tubular Bells – which must have made Richard Branson even happier (and richer)! The follow up album was called Hergest Ridge.
The start of the Aran Ridge from Llanuwchllyn near Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)
Our two previous days in the Aran Hills (see posts #135 and #136) had been in ‘typical’ UK summer conditions, with conditions varying from cool to wet. However, out in the Atlantic the weather systems were shaping up for a big change, and within a week the July heat-wave had arrived. I still had one more Aran trip planned, and it looked as though it was going to be a warm one.
Cwm Cywarch in the Aran Hills
The Aran Hills – day 1 (#135) in red, day 2 in blue
A closer view of the area
The first day in the Aran Hills (see post #135) had included Aran Fawddwy (905 metres), the highest peak in the range, but I had left Glasgwm (780 metres) for the next day. Dull weather conditions gave no clue that the rare event of a British heat-wave was just a few days away, but there would be no heat-wave on this trip.
The Aran Ridge, seen from the southeast
So, where are these Aran Hills then? I Have to confess that for years I didn’t have a clue where they were, and I didn’t get round to tracking them down until a year or two ago. It was only in the last month that I actually got my boots on the ground, and discovered yet another hidden corner of Wales, ignored by many.
Looking towards Foel Grach in the wild hills of the Carneddau
The hills and mountains of the Carneddau of North Wales don’t have the ‘wow’ factor of the Snowdon Range or the Glyderau, but for lovers of solitude and connoisseurs of wild places these hills beat the pants off anything south of the Scottish Highlands. I had a couple of gaps to fill in my knowledge base of these lovely hills, but Chris and I were both showing signs of coming down with a cold bug – an easy day was called for, but easy days are not easy to find in this wild group of hills.
On the descent from Pen y Ghent on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
As challenge walks go, the circuit of the Yorkshire Three Peaks is challenging! As the name suggests there are three peaks on the route – Pen y Ghent (691 metres), Whernside (728 metres) and Ingleborough 723 metres). Not big hills at a first glance, but they add up to a route of about 40 kms (24½ miles) with about 1500 metres (5000ft) of height gain, the equivalent of a serious day out in the Scottish Highlands. On top of all that, most people set themselves the additional challenge of completing the walk in 12 hours.
Grains Gill, Borrowdale © Bill Boaden
Some people might have wondered why I recently returned to mountain rescue after a break of 15 years. It’s quite simple really – it’s fun! It’s not always easy to remember that when the phone rings in the early hours of the morning, and the weather outside is foul, but after a few years the bad times are forgotten, and only the good times are remembered….
Looking north from Moel y Plas – typical Clwydian country
Saying that life has been busy over the past couple of months isn’t the half of it! In January my Border Collie ‘Mist’ passed her obedience and stock (sheep) tests, and began her training as a Search And Rescue (SAR) dog, and a month later I was accepted as a probationary member of my local mountain rescue team, NEWSAR (North East Wales Search And Rescue).
Paul offers guided hillwalking in the UK through Hillcraft Guided Walking. He is also a freelance outdoor writer.
Hillcraft Guided Walking Website
Paul Shorrock - One Man's Mountains AKA One Pillock's Hillocks 