Guided Walks and Events Programme Winter 2011-12
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Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME WINTER 2011-12 Most of these walks go into the hills. Participants are reminded that the following gear must be taken. Walking boots, rucksack, hats, gloves, warm clothing (not jeans), spare sweater, water and a hot drink, lunch, extra food and of course waterproof jackets and trousers. A whistle and torch should be carried, particularly during the winter months. Participants must satisfy themselves that the walk is suitable for their abilities. You can take advice by ringing the walk leader whose telephone number is given. No liability will be accepted for loss or injury that occurs as a result of taking part. An adult must accompany young people (under 18). MOST OF THESE WALKS ARE FOR EXPERIENCED WALKERS Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route due to adverse weather conditions. Strenuous walks require fitness and stamina to cope with several steep climbs and/or cover a good distance at a steady pace. Energetic walks generally involve two steep climbs but they will still require determined application. Moderate walks will seldom have steep climbs but if they do the climb will be taken at a relaxed pace. Dogs (well controlled) are permitted unless stated otherwise in the programme. It should be noted that under the CROW Act, when taking dogs onto Open Access land they must be on a fixed lead, no more than two metres long, whenever livestock are near, and at ALL TIMES from 1st March to 31st July. Non-members of the Park Society will be asked to make a donation of £5.00 each per walk . Half price for the under 16’s, the unemployed and students.The fee is deductible from the membership fee on joining the Society within two months of the walk. General Enquiries to: Anne Pritchard, tel: 029 2061 0397 e-mail: [email protected] MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SEE BACK PAGE REGISTERED CHARITY: 1075345 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS WINTER 2011-12 FEATURES Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Winter 2011-12, which we hope you will enjoy. Once again we are indebted to our volunteer walk leaders for another varied and interesting programme of walks within and on the fringes of the National Park. In response to popular demand Friday walks have been reintroduced, so we have one walk every Friday, Saturday and Sunday – slightly different over the Christmas and New Year period. Kevin McAnulty’s Wednesday Wanders proved very successful in the Autumn programme. As planned, Kevin will take a break over the winter months, but his walks will be replaced by a new series devised and led by Roger Austin. In the springtime, we plan to merge the two series so that we will have Wednesday walks four times each month. Our series of illustrated talks at the Bear continues in January with a talk by Allan Gibbs on Snowshoeing. In February Chris Barber will be celebrating the bicentenary of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal with a talk at the Bear on the Friday evening followed by a walk on the Sunday. We are again contributing to the Crickhowell Walking Festival – see page 12 for details of how to book for Festival walks. Changes to the Guided Walks Programme Occasionally leaders may change or cancel a guided walk, usually because of severe weather which may affect the walk itself or the roads to the start of the walk. Whenever possible, any changes will be added to the Guided Walks programme on the website. You are strongly advised to check the Mountain weather forecast for the Brecon Beacons National Park before setting out for walks, on the Met Office website: www.metoffice.gov.uk or use the Metcheck website which allows you to check the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons separately: www.metcheck.com . If in doubt consult the leader whose name and telephone number are given in the programme. If you would like to have a go at leading a walk, have an idea for a talk or event, or any comments or suggestions for improvement of the programme, please contact Anne (walks) tel: 029 2061 0397 or email [email protected] Gerry (events) tel: 01989 565679 or email [email protected] This programme is available to view or download from the website. If you no longer wish to receive a posted hard copy, please advise Ben Sladen on [email protected] . Details of the Park Society’s walks and events programme, and much more, can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org Page 2 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS WINTER 2011-12 DECEMBER TWO TOPS AND A PUB Date: Friday 2nd December Park at the base of Ysgyryd Fawr GR SO 328165 map OL13. Level: Energetic Over the Skirrid and down to the Skirrid Inn at Llanvihangel, Dist: 18km (11miles) over Bryn Arw and back to the cars. Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm No dogs please. Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 029 2062 8861 MILLSTONES & MOORLAND Date: Saturday 3rd December Car park on minor road to Dolygaer, off the road from Level: Energetic Pontsticill to Talybont GR SO 05455 14323. Dist: 17km (10.5miles) The walk follows forestry roads south, crossing the dam up to Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Twynau Gwynion. Bearing Northeast to Cefn Yr Ystrad to Leader: ROB SHORT discover abandoned millstones and a memorial en route. With Contact: 01495 718254 some rough walking en route. Returning via Cwm Callan to 07976 885132 Dolygaer. LLANTHONY NORTHERN LOOP – BLACK MOUNTAINS Date: Sunday 4th December Meeting at Llanthony Abbey GR SO 289278 Map OL13. Level: Strenuous Climbing to Bal Mawr and Chwarel y Fan over to the Anvil, Dist: 23km (14.5 miles) descending to Capel y Ffin and returning below Chwarel y Ascent: 9150m (3000ft) Fan. Time: 8.00am – 5.00pm Latest finish time approx 5.00pm but may vary depending on Leader: JASON WINNEY the group. Contact: 07798 521550 Additional Notes: Please Bring head torch and spare batteries. WEDNESDAY WANDER: LLANGATTOCK, BEECHWOOD, COMMON AND CANAL Date: Wednesday 7th December Meet at CRiC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 at Level: Easy 10.00am for car share OR 10.30am at starting point. Dist: 7.25km (4.5 miles) From road opposite Horse Shoe Inn Llangattock GR SO Time: 10.30am – 1.00pm 211177. 8 stiles. Leader: ROGER AUSTIN Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected] CIRCUIT ON THE BLORENGE Date: Friday 9th December Meet at Llanfoist car park on B4246, GR SO 286133. Level: Energetic Ascend the incline then contour to the Punch Bowl for Dist: 14.5km (9 miles) approx coffee. Climb again to the trig, Fox Hunter and Keepers Pond, Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm descend to the quarry for lunch and return along lanes of Cwm Leader: ROS GRANT Llanwenarth, the railway line and canal. Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068 Page 3 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS WINTER 2011-12 CRIBARTH RIDGE AND HENRHYD WATERFALLS Date: Saturday 10th December Park in the layby next to Craig-y-nos Castle at GR SN 8409 Level: Moderate 1523. Dist: 14km (9 miles) The walk starts at Craig-y-nos Castle with a steady climb up Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm onto Cribarth ridge then down the valley to the river Tawe to Leader: PAULA ACE follow the Llech to Henrhyd Waterfalls, returning to Craig-y- Contact: 07967 140689 nos via Penwyllt. WALK LEADERS’ DAY OUT ON THE HILLS Date: Sunday 11th December NO GUIDED WALK TODAY Contact: 01550 740188 Informal training day. A chance for all the walk leaders to [email protected] get to know each other better, practise their skills and share their knowledge and experience under the guidance of our Technical Advisor Allan Gibbs. A CHAIR, A STANDING STONE AND A SHEEP FOLD Date: Friday 16th December Meet at Tir y Nant GR SO 237237 (Brook Cottage on pre 2009 Level: Energetic maps). Dist: 18km (11 miles) A good pull, initially, up to the eastern ridge of the Grwyne Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm Fechan and then along to Pen y Gadair (the chair), then down Leader: DAVID THOMAS over rough ground to Maen Llwyd (standing stone). Follow Contact: 01873 812011 sheep tracks contouring to the head of the valley and a long deserted sheep fold, before returning via Macnamara’s Road. ON THE BLACK HILL Date: Saturday 17th December From Gospel Pass GR SO 235351. Level: Energetic/Strenuous Up to the Twmpa, follow the attractive Nant Bwch down to Dist: 20km (12 miles) Capel-y-ffin, steeply ascend and cross the Hatterrall ridge, Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm drop down to cross the Olchon valley, then climb the Cat’s Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD Back ridge to return via Hay Bluff. About 850m total ascent. Contact: 01497 820074 Hopefully fine views over England and the Wye Valley. SUGAR LOAF AND MINCE PIES! Date: Sunday 18th December Meet at Abergavenny Tourist Information Office car park GR Level: Energetic SO 301144 (free parking on Sundays). Dist: 20km (13 miles) A walk along the River Usk to Llanwenarth church then Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm up onto the Sugar Loaf via St Mary’s Vale and the Pen-y-fal Leaders: DILYS HARLOW ridge, back along the Deri. (Torches may be useful although ANGELA WOOLLEY we’ve never needed them before!) Contact: 01454 775731 0117 9730017 Page 4 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS WINTER 2011-12 WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE BLORENGE AND PUNCHBOWL Date: Wednesday 21st December Meet at CRiC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 at Level: Moderate 10.00am for car share OR 10.30am at starting point.