UKC

Thought I was going to have a nice recreational half day yesterday to conserve energies for a long weekend, so decided on a nice circuit of the Clwyds ridge and Moel Fammau from Cilcain.

BIG MISTAKE

Walked up the "mountain bike route" lanes out of Cicain fine as deep snow flattened by various farm vehicles - then we cut to a footpath traversing over hilly pasture to the Bwlch below Moel Arthur. Untracked thigh deep snow - ended up balancing along a frozen solid stone wall which was sticking out an inch or two. Descending down to bwlch, set off a nice little wind slab avalanche (in the Clwyds!!)

Following the main Offas Dyke uphill south was desperately hard going with deep powder over springy heather. Even saw some cornices overhanging little hollows and gullies. There was even Sastrugi features like you see in the Cairngorms.

Chewwie (the dog) ended up lying down and not wanting to go on and I was using too much energy so decided too ccut my losses and traverse across to the pretty little valley where the reservoirs are and bail out back to Cicain.

The green lane had tracks left by a tractor bringing fodder up for the sheep - so easy going back down.

This would have made for a brilliant day with touring skis or snowshoes but walking? - Moel Fammau spanked my arse

In reply to David Hooper: Well I have to report it defeated me and my dog the day before and I was on skis (the dog doesn't normally need them). I skinned up from the lower car park below the bwlch penbarras and all went well until we cleared the forestry and became exposed to the easterly wind. It was howling across the hill and the snow was drifting in spectacular fashion. Although I was struggling a bit, the dog was in big trouble due to balling up. This phenomenon is not dissimilar to the problem with crampons - the snow was forming in massive balls on all the dog's hairy bits and we eventually had to call it a day at about 3/4 height and descend. Have you ever seen a dog doing a John Wayne walk ? Ther was that much snow balled up between her back legs it took me an hour to pick it all off. Might try again tomorrow - the weekend will be madness up there !

In reply to Michael Griffith:
Yes - Chewwie had massive "slush clinkers" on his long hair - particularly around his lower back legs - they were still attached when we got back to Liverpool and I had to line his basket with a bath towel to catch all the melting slush. Mind you - he does look clean and fluffy today

In reply to David Hooper:
Just got back from doing a quick recce in the Bwlch Penbarras area for a training session on Sunday.
Dug a couple of test pits, there are some serious layers going on! About 8 inches of slab on top of 18 inches of powder.
The only easy wasy up now is from the top or bottom car parks. I've been up a few times in the last fortnight for MRT stuff and I'm always surprised by the conditions!

In reply to David Hooper:

Did you not see my comment on Jonnos photos on FB where I said that was the most snow I have ever seen on there in my life?

I have failed on a 400ft thing before now, well the last 400ft anyway.

In reply to shingsowa: Just back from a night starlight snowboarding in the powder of Llanferres, -12 and fantastic powder conditions.

That fresh snow - it's all sitting there on a hard re-frozen layer just waiting...add in the faceting and mmmmm....watch out!

In reply to David Hooper:


Just for you David:-

A few pics from NY Day
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5185&id=100000565489292&l=647...

and

a few pics from tonight's awesome snowboarding in powder:-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5773&id=100000565489292&l=d83...

Don't think we're going mountain biking any time soon - Llandegla is well-buried! I'll be ski touring round there next - a few of the fire roads look fast and steep!

In reply to David Hooper:
Don't be too disgusted with yourself, I walked up to the summit from the top car park yesterday in deep powder and no defined path. It was tough going all the way.

In reply to Removed User:

so the road to the top car park is ok?

In reply to Glyno:
Ha! depends what you're driving. I went up with my mate in his 4x4 jeep and it was ok. There was a Corsa halfway up who had made a brave attempt and failed. To be honest I'm glad I wasn't driving.

My own local 500 foot amble is Auchterhouse Hill (the hill is 1400, but the walk up it starts at 900). The other day, the tracks in the deep snow told their own story: I had the satisfaction of being the only person who DIDN'T turn back

Tough going, mind!