10
« on: April 08, 2012, 11:54:18 AM »
Hi Lyle
First things first - great book, learning little tips and hints already - thanks.
Most of my ramblings ( the walking kind, will discuss drinking kind in a mo) often start at the Storey Arms outbound centre on the A470, lots of parking there and it's FREE!!
For a first timer to the Beacons you have to do the Fan and bits. The path that leads up from the left of the Storey Arms is the steepest but more rewarding - not so touristy, this takes you up to Corn Du, then along to Pen Y Fan, 886m ( highest point in Britain south of Snowdonia I believe.), the path then takes you along to Cribyn, there is a great steep path here with good exposure over the valley to the north. After Cribyn head south towards the Upper Neuadd reservoir, camp here. Grid ref SO 028194, right next to the reservoir, purely beautiful sight. The next day head back up onto the peaks and take in Fan Y Big !!, no giggling please, and then head back towards the Storey Arms. Then head in your car towards Brecon where you will come across the Tai'r Bull pub on your left, a lovely pint of Brains Ale is served here - this is where frequently the other sort of ramblings occur!!
Other camp locations I have used are dotted around the park. A lovely one I have used is at the foot of the big peaks - and again not a million miles from the above mentioned pub - theme building here! Grid ref SO 026231 in Cwm Sere. As you can see from the map it is in a valley so the cold air does slip down in the night but is a great view of the peaks.
A camp site I have used once and will be again in Sept. is the Grawen Camp site, SO 015111, this is just off the A470, basic site, very friendly owners and perfect as a base camp. I used it as such for the Mountain Trail Challenge - again this year. Their phone No is 01685 723740 - on the internet as well.
My most recent venture out was again starting at the Storey Arms and then headed out westwards, straight up Fan Fawr, it's been teasing me for ages!! I then headed over to the north of Ystrafellte reservoir and camped at grid ref SN 942205. There are great views to the west from here and you do feel very small and insignificant in this backdrop.
Next morning took in Fan Nedd - she is a steep one, bless her then headed south off her ridge and into Ystrafellte village and had a wonderful couple of pints of cider. From there I headed east from behind the post office, over the moors and back to the Storey Arms - a good walk.
Sorry if I rambled on, get carried away. Must get back to planning a three nighter on the Cairngorm Plateau in Jan next year, that should be a great experience. Went there in Nov last year and stayed by a river, cooking over a fire etc, great.
Grant