HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

2nd January 2009: Moel Meirch from near Nantgwynant    Web page by Bryan Benn

Start and Finish near Hafod Rhisgl 142m

Highest Point: Moel Meirch 607m

Distance: circa 10 kms

Weather: V cold, cloudy and icy.

Vertical altitude gain: circa 650m

Time: circa 5 hrs 20 mins

Moel Meirch walk Into 2009 and with the icy cold spell continuing in Snowdonia I extended my stay there. With previous dire warnings about the incredibly boggy terrain up on the Moelwyns I decided that, with the ground up there frozen solid, it would be a good time to explore that area. So I parked in one of the many lay-bys on the main road after Nantgwynant, and set off.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January 2009: Hafod Rhisgl - Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

Thew path climbed immediately and went through some woodland, starting broad zig zags as it did so.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

Out of the woodland and into more open country typical of the Moelwyns. It was a very cold day, with some low cloud forecast as I pressed ahead.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

As was the case almost anywhere higher up in Snowdonia at the time, all water had frozen solid. Making the path somewhat slippery from time to time!

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

I reached the County boundary, marked bya fence and headed generally South alongside it towards the rocky outcrops beyong which lay Moel Meirch.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued

Moel Meirch walk Moel Meirch walk

It was obvious from the amount of lying water that had frozen solid that this was indeed a very boggy area to walk in warmer weather: something I shall be reluctant to attempt.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

Every so often there were some rocky sections to get over: all made interesting by ice on some of the rocks!

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

This wasn't a long walk, and before long it was obvious that the next, and larger rocky section was the summit of Moel Meirch.

Moel Meirch continued.
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

The forecast low cloud coincided with me getting up to the summit of the small Moel. So views were not exactly spectacular!

Moel Meirch continued.
9thDecember 2008:Beddgelert - Moel y Dyniewyd cont. continued Moel Meirch walk

Another view from the summit of Moel Meirch.

Moel Meirch continued
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

I didn't stay long on that cold and cloudy summit, but quickly descended and retraced my outward route.

Moel Meirch continued.
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

It was on my way back that the low cloud started to clear, allowing views of the many surrounding mountains.

Moel Meirch continued.
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

Ahead was Moel Siabod, (872m), which I guess is the most Northerly of the Moelwyn. Along with a lot more thichk ice on the track immediately in front of me!

Moel Meirch continued.
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

One of the many ladder styles that conveniently give access over the fences and walls that are typical of the area.

Moel Meirch continued.
2nd January: Moel Meirch continued Moel Meirch walk

I headed back towards my starting point, and before entering into the woodland had a good view back over Llyn Gwynanant.

December 2008 - January 2009 Trip Index     Back to Main Index