En Haut de Pen-Y-Fan

Conditions at the top of the highest peak in the southern half of Britain at 13:29 were described as '..fresh!' as the father and daughter duo from the Cynon Valley reached the summit.

In almost perfect winter conditions, with a minus wind chill factor, the steady climb to 886 metres would not prove too difficult for one of the fittest fiftysomething's in South Wales and his triathlon competing daughter.



This was the third time for Rebecca to climb Pen Y Fan, although it was 4 years ago since the previous occasion! "I suggested this walk after speaking to friends about various other walks. I'd enjoyed the walk before, and as it is quite local thought it would be a convenient option. I love the views at the top of Pen Y Fan, especially seeing the snow & ice still lying on the top. I also loved the cloud inversions!! I will definitely do the walk again, hopefully, more regular than every 4 years. I would also like to do some other local walks" said Rebecca.

It took 48 minutes to get to the top... including a short photo stop at Corn Du!

Did they have the peak to themselves on a Saturday afternoon with beautiful clear blue skies.......well what do you think? His response was summed up in one word '...busloads'. But its the achievement that counts.



With the north face of Craig Gwaun Taf covered in frost, a low winter sun and a cloud inversion it was well worth the effort. Unfortunately the low cloud enveloped the summit just as the final photograph of the pair was taken by some random person who was probably minding their own business until press-ganged into pressing the shutter.

"Dad could not walk all that way without his flask of tea!! he also had a bacon and egg sandwich plus a cup of tea to finish the walk! He has gone upmarket now with the flask......although it was all ready made for him!"



Super-fit Rebecca completed the triathlon in Brecon (that included an 800 metre Swim, 21 kilometre cycle ride and 5 kilometre run) in a very impressive time of 1 hour 32 minutes.

Most of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Weatherman Walking - Episode 4

The final episode of the current series ended this week with a 6 mile circular walk from Blaencwm to the iconic summit of Pen Pychin in the Rhondda Valley, passing waterfalls and former industrial landscapes on the way.

The walk including spectacular ridge views of the Rhondda, stone circles at an iron age settlement, trails through forestry land, locating the source of the River Rhondda, re-claimed industrial land and the Rhigos mountain road.

Perhaps another walk to add to our itinerary?

Watch the final episode 'Waterfalls and a Barefoot Walk' on the BBC iplayer.

Ice Climbing in Eidfjord

The incredible force of nature turned the normally raging waterfall in Eidfjord, Norway, into a wall of ice by the harsh Scandinavian winter - where temperatures dropped to minus 15 celcius.

At 650 feet high the ice wall had not previously been successfully climbed until recently when extreme sports enthusiasts, Will Gadd and Christian Pondella, defeated the frozen rapids using just their ice picks.


Christian, an adventure sports photographer from California, said "Temperatures fell to minus 10 while we were climbing so it did get tough. But luckily we wrapped up nice and warm. The waterfall was incredibly beautiful and very photogenic so I spent most of my time stopping to take pictures while Will powered on to the top. We felt on top of the world and its amazing to think that any other time of year this whole thing would have been a raging torrent of water".

Circuit of Pontsticill Reservoir

It was still very frosty when the walk started from the village, just as the sun was struggling to rise above the surrounding hills.

The route includes a full 5.5 mile circuit of the reservoir, using part of the Taff Trail. The outward section meanders its way through the forestry until it briefly re-joins the road to Tal-Y-Bont, before crossing the bridge that separates the Pontsticill section of the reservoir from the Pentwyn (known locally as Dol-y-Gaer) expanse.

Leaving the road that leads to Dol-Y-Gaer Outdoor Pursuits Centre, the path runs alongside the narrow gauge line of the Brecon Mountain Railway for nearly a mile, almost parallel to the eastern side of the reservoir.

This must be one of the most scenic narrow gauge railway routes in the country, taking passengers into the heart of the Brecon Beacons, alongside the glistening stretches of the serene, reflective waters edge.

Pontsticill Reservoir, which was completed in 1927, can hold 3.4 thousand million gallons of water (is that 3 billion gallons?). The water flooded the vicarage and 15th Century Capel Taf Fechan, Bethlehem Congregational Chapel, some cottages, small holdings and land belonging to eight farms. In times of drought the remains of some of these buildings often appear above water level.



Mid-way on the eastern bank is the deserted head-quarters of the Merthyr Sailing Club, hopefully, internally the building is more welcoming than the featureless external facade? Sailing is one of the activities provided for visitors and residents of the nearby out-door pursuits centre.

Another minor diversion on the walk was a visit to the Pontsticill station of the Mountain Railway (the first trains was not due to arrive until 12.30pm today!), with wonderful views in the distance to the north of the cloud covered tops of Corn Du and Pen-Y-Fan.



The narrow-gauge railway has been a major visitor attraction for the last 30 years, created by the inspiration and vision of Tony Hill and his family.

The site occupies a stretch of the old 'abandoned' Brecon and Merthyr Railway which closed in 1964. Fighting its way through the Brecon Beacons, climbing the steep gradients including the Torpantau tunnel, which at 1,313 feet above sea level, is the highest railway tunnel in Great Britain.



By 1978 various planning and other consents had been obtained, with construction of the narrow-gauge railway commencing with the re-building of the former Station House and conversion of the adjoining waiting room into a small workshop.

After this project was completed work started on the repair and replacement of the 7 bridges between Pant and Pontsticill. Laying the track itself commenced in 1979 and was completed in 1980.



Meanwhile, "Sybil" - a small slate quarry engine from North Wales - had been re-built to haul the train.

After leaving the platform the walk returns across the dam, past the giant 'overflow plug' and back into the village.

All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Crickhowell Walking Festival 2011

There are over 70 walks to choose from during the nine days of the festival, which takes place between Saturday 26th February and Sunday 6th March 2011.

With something for every level of walker, whether you are happy trekking all day across the tops of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons or would rather just keep to the popular paths and the lower slopes.

All of the walks are led by experienced local guides and are graded into four categories - easy, harder, prepare for a full day and full day walks. Registration is currently open and booking is already over 50% full.

Visit the Crickhowell Walking Festival website for more details.

Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad

A ridge of extremely high pressure guaranteed clear blue skies this morning, although with the severe hoar frost overnight the temperature at the start was a rather low -2 celsius!

After leaving the lay-by on the A470 you walk into an enclosed atmospheric amphitheatre created by the soaring, craggy cliffs - formed by glacial action over 20,000 years ago - the high ridge seen above will eventually provide the middle section of the walk.

The grinding action of the ice carved the 500 feet cliff face and escarpments that remain. Ironic that the moraines created by glacial action were covered in frost and ice!

The north facing rocks rarely see the sun, probably only occasionally in summer. Because of the cold, dark conditions rare arctic-plants survive at their southern most limit only re-appearing in the Alps.



The initial walk takes you into the 'bowl' of the Nature Reserve below Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad before starting the steep climb towards Fan Frynych. Luckily the paths were still frozen so the conditions underfoot were perfect. Looking back to the east you see the first view of Pen-Y-Fan and in the far distance the Black Mountains.



At the top of the ascent (after climbing to a height of 629 metres) the route bears left towards the ridge of the crag. The wonderful landscape opened out providing crystal clear views to the west of Fan Llia, Fan Nedd, Fan Gyhirych and Fan Fraith which all looked superb bathed in the winter sunshine.



The ridge of the crag takes the walk eastwards providing superb views down into the cwm, to the low lands of Brecon and east to Pen-Y-Fan and Corn Du.



The descent was extremely trecherous as the ground (it was like walking on Crunchy Nut Cornflakes!) was still very frozen and slippery. In normal conditions this would have been relatively straight forward but this morning it was very much a case of take your time or end up on your bottom!



The final section of the walk down the flank of the crag returns across a semi-frozen brook to the original path used at the start.

All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Gwent Levels

The continuous 'dreich' weather conditions of the last few weeks has discouraged any serious physical activity, but the plethora of 'out-doors' type programmes on the television has certainly been able to supplement the planning process.

The third episode of 'Weatherman Walking' saw Derek Brockway climb Cnicht, the Welsh Matterhorn in North Wales a proper pointy peak on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park overlooking Porthmadog and the beautiful Glaslyn estuary.

Then as a complete contrast, he follows in the footsteps of Romans and mediaeval monks as he discovers the delights of the Gwent Levels, Wales's own low country and an unusual land of reens, gouts, grips and vurrows with a walk from Goldcliff to Redwick. This is a walk to be added to the programme for the Summer.

Countryfile spent some time in the Duddon Valley, Cumbria.

Simon King's stunning 'Shetland Diaries' is also being repeated on BBC2 this week.

The second installment of the excellent 'Men of Rock' is on Thursday evening.

Julia Bradbury's German Wanderlust adventures are being repeated on BBC2 on Friday.

With a forecast for drier and colder weather over the next few days, a potential walk 'outdoors' is looking a distinct possibility.

Men of Rock

Stunning rugged mountain scenery from the Scottish Highlands, in a natural history programme that only the BBC are really able to make.

Iain Stewart follows in the footsteps of the founding father of geology, James Hutton. This Scottish rogue was a profound and original thinker who, 250 years ago, overturned ancient beliefs about how and when the world was formed.

He used the theory that the age of the planet could be determined by the rock formations all around us. His ideas clashed with those of the most eminent scientist of his day. Lord Kelvin was determined to prove Hutton wrong.

You can see the full hour long programme here on the BBC iplayer.

Clip showing interview providing background to the making of the programme:

Caswell Bay

In the second edition of 'Weatherman Walking' series, Derek Broakway takes a really interesting 7 mile stroll along a section of the Gower Peninsular that looks like a walk we would certainly be able to enjoy during the summer months.

This was a circular walk starting and ending on the beach at Caswell Bay. For the first mile, the route followed the coastal path from Caswell Bay to Brandy Cove and then Pwll Du, which translated into English is 'black pool'. The pool is caused by a shingle bank blocking the river flowing into Pwll Du bay and thus forming a pool.

Pwll Du headland guided smuggling boats to the bay at its foot and the 300 foot high headland provided a very convenient vantage point for keeping an eye out for customs officers.

It's then on to High Pennard and Bishopston Valley, with a possible stop at the 'Guzzle Hole' to glimpse and listen to an underground river.

Coldest December in Wales

I don't think that we needed anyone to tell us that December was the coldest since records began - we already had a reasonably good idea!

It snowed in the early hours of Friday 17th December, with further heavy snow on Tuesday 21st, this deep covering stayed with us for almost a fortnight until Thursday 30th December.

Provisional figures released by the Meteorological Office reveal that December 2010 has become the coldest December across the UK in the last one hundred years (in fact since records began).

The mean temperature for the UK has been -1.0°C, well below the long term average of 4.2°C. The previous coldest December in the series was 0.1°C, in 1981.

The provisional UK, England and Wales figures for December 2010 show that the month was the coldest month since February 1986. In Scotland it was the coldest month since February 1947, and in Northern Ireland the coldest month on record.

December 2010 saw some exceptionally cold and snowy weather across most of the country, with temperatures quite regularly falling to between -10 and -20°C overnight. Many places also saw temperatures struggling to get above freezing by day.

In the last 100 years, the UK has only experienced five colder months - January 1940, February 1947, January 1963, February 1963 and February 1986.

Although it has been very cold and snowy it has also been relatively sunny and dry. Precipitation (rain and snow) levels were well below average for the UK, recording just 38% of what is normally expected in December. This makes it the third driest December in the series that goes back to 1910.

Wales stats for December
Average temperature -0.4°C (Previous coldest December was in 1981 with a mean temperature of 0.8°C)
Hours of sunshine 61.3 hours (The sunniest is 2001 with 73.5 hours)
Precipitation 53mm (The driest is 1926 with 34.0 mm)

Annual Wales stats
Average temperature 8.2°C (The coldest is 1963 with a mean temperature of 7.6°C)
Hours of sunshine 1612.6 (The sunniest is 1929 with 1684.3 hours)
Precipitation 1118.3mm (The driest is 1933 with 1015.0 mm)

Speakers from the Edge

An opportunity to spend an evening at the theatre on 24th February 2011, in the company of internationally acclaimed mountaineer Stephen Venables, who has twice repeated Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous crossing of South Georgia - one of the great epics of exploration.

Using his highly acclaimed photographs and natural gifts as a storyteller Venables is able to re-create Shackleton’s extraordinary expedition. To illustrate this treacherous journey, Venables is able to capture the thrills of climbing, skiing and sailing in a place of such haunting beauty.

Speakers from the Edge website.

127 Hours

After listening to an interesting article broadcast on the radio about this film, I thought I'd take a look to see what background information I could find.

This is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s (played by James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Robbers Roost, Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the mental strength to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers (Clemence Poesy), family, and the two hikers (played by Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara) he met before his accident.

James Franco, gives a stunning performance as the loner who thinks he can master nature. Though he leaves few markers on his trail, Ralston is cut from a different cloth than most other extreme sports fanatics. Ralston is not in search of meaning – just an adrenaline rush.

The film met with significant critical acclaim, with much of the praise going to Franco's performance. Well worth a look.

Weatherman Walking

The fourth series started tonight as Derek Brockway sets off on a new trail of stunning walks around Wales.

This week he heads to the hill-top 'Town of Giants' on the Llyn Peninsula and then discovers the most southerly point of Wales - the island of Flatholm.

Located on the Llyn Peninsula, Tre'r Ceiri is one of the most unusual and best preserved iron age forts in Europe. It sits high above the old quarry village of Nant Gwrtheyrn, now best known as a residential centre for learning Welsh.

Visiting Flatholm in the Bristol Channel, includes ripples of an ancient preserved seabed, Victorian gun placements and Britain's only offshore cholera hospital.

Watch this weeks programme here.

Walks Programme 2011

In addition to local treks in the Brecon Beacons, the following are a few possible suggestions for next year:

March 2011
The Raven Walks (included especially for Lord Twynyrodyn)
April to July 2011
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path - Various individual sections
Trevithick and Taff Trail's - a few local walks
May 2011
Gower Coastal Path
Skomer - for the bird-watching!
June 2011
Cadair Idris
Penwyilt - another part of Forest Fawr
July 2011
Malvern Hills
Usk Valley Walk - sampling the fine hostelries in the Llangattock area
August 2011
Wye Valley Walk - perhaps to include some canoing!
Herefordshire Trail - exploring the Marches Boarders region
September 2011
Long Mynd

More details will soon be available here.