Barmouth walking festival day 7

Friday
Spent first part of yesterday (Thursday) morning helping Barmouth walking festival organisers set up dining room in Dragon Theatre for the evening social, then studied books on Barmouth history in the library, followed by laundry. As forecast, it rained heavily all day so taking a day off turned out to be a good choice.

Forecast for today was improved with a little rain, some sun but storm force winds. I signed up for 'The summit of Diffwys from Bontddu'. As I suspected, on the morning it was felt (quite rightly in my view) to be too windy for Diffwys - a mountain north east of Barmouth. Instead we drove south to park at Abergwnolwyn station on Talyllan narrow gauge railway.

Walk took us south east up Nant Gwernol valley passed old slate mine workings including a steep incline complete with tracks and winding drum. Stream side path gave way to forest, then up very steep path to a saddle. Out of shelter of valley and forest we were hit here by full force of 35-45 mph wind. The next 600 foot ascent up Tarrenhendre alongside fence was challenging with the strong wind battering us on our right side.

Once over the top, in the lee of Tarrenhendre, wind abated significantly. We turned left / east, desended 450 feet to Pant Gwyn ridge, continuing into forest on Foel y Geifr where we stopped for lunch. Turned left / north west up 450 feet alongside another fence and battering by full force of the wind to a 666 metre trig point. Left / west back down to Nant Gwernol valley passing dramatic waterfalls on the way back to Abergwnolwyn station.

This will be my final day of Cambrian Way blog this year. Weather is still too poor for the four days I need for next section across the Rhinogs to Ffestiniog. I return home tomorrow (Saturday) as am committed elsewhere all of next week. Autumn equinox has passed, so days are now too short for wild camping, even if weather improves the folllowing week as forecast. Oh well, until next year.

11.5 miles completed at end on seventh day of festival. Weather strong wind all day, rain showers at first gradually clearing to sunshine late afternoon.Läs mer