Wales.

1st - 5th October 2009.

Mrs Crumbling Cliff and I decided to spend a few days having a look at Mid Wales. We spent the first day in the Elan Valley. It rained, we spent quite a lot of time stumbling around in bogs. When the sun did peek through the views were spectacular with the occasional sighting of a Kite. We managed to find a few Geo caches and eventually got a few miles in. I have never been up on Plynlimon and fully intended to do it this trip but the guide stated that the approach could be boggy so not willing to risk a mutiny in the ranks we gave it a miss and headed north to Cadair Idris.

I last climbed Cadair in 1964 while on an army outward bound course at Towyn. It was part of the final four day expedition. I recall it being a long slog with a very heavy old style Bergen rucksack chaffing my waist and shoulders.

After the rain of the previous two days we had clear but cold weather. I was surprised to find that much of the path is now protected with huge stone slabs. Large bags of these lie around waiting to be laid. We reached the top of Craig Cau where I remembered the heartbreak all those years ago when we realised that it was not the top and that we had to descend then climb again to reach Cadar Idris.

Craig Cau.

We eventually reached the summit. Wainright is correct, this is probably the best mountain in Wales for all round views and we had a cracker, as far as the eye could see. We had lunch, hunted around for the summit geo cache and explored the stone shelter. We then headed off in the general direction of Mynedd Mawr before turning away down the mountain towards the car park at the Idris Estate.