Mynydd Garthmyn and more 11th January 2014

On top of the world!

On the summit of Mynydd Garthmyn.

panorama from Mynydd Garthmyn, looking towards Snowdonia.

Moel Siabod from our lunch spot near Capel Garmon burial chamber.

Panorama from Capel Garmon burial chamber.

Part of the cascading Afon Conwy.

The Moon above.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 1611'.

Time 6 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Roger.

This was a glorious day for walking, almost wall to wall blue sky, pleasantly warm Sunshine and very little wind. This truly could have been a shorts day (for some), but at least there was no need to wear a fleece/jacket (for some)!

 The views today were superb, especially when the snow covered peaks of Northern Snowdonia came in to view.

 Roger was so keen o get to the lunch spot that at one point he ran down hill so fast (reaching over 8 m.p.h.), it was almost like a "Compo" scene on "Last of the Summer Wine"!

 Lunch was taken near the Capel Garmon burial chamber site, where we sat enjoying the warm sunshine on our backs, with glorious views towards Moel Siabod and the high peaks of Snowdonia.

 One or two sections of the walk were a little steeper than our more recent walks and the last descent towards Betws-y-Coed took its toll on our knees, and we were grateful to get back to the car and be able to sit down and take the weight off our feet.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay, Common buzzard, Common snipe, Carrion crow, Wood nuthatch, Meadow pipit, Dunnock and Fieldfare.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the Lees bitter was back on and was in good nick!

Llyn y Parc and Llyn Elsie 14th April 2012

Dipper country on the Afon Llugwy, West of Pont y Pair at Betw-y-coed.

There is a Dipper in the picture, even if you can't spot it!

One of the best views of the day, Moel Siabod, Yr Wyddfa and Tryfan.

A small waterfall on our way to Llyn Elsie.

Llyn Elsie from the Monument - first time.

Walk stats: distance: 11.0 miles. Climb: 2114'.

Time: 5 hours 24 minutes. On the move walkin average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Dave J and Celia.

Yet another superb day for walking, lots of sunshine, blue skies and only a few spots of the wet stuff.  My only regret was that I should have been wearing shorts, this was not Paramo trousers weather, even with maximum leg ventilation!

We have walked in this area many times, but the two walks today provided us with lots of variation and new paths to experience. Thankfully Carl Rogers's descriptions kept us in track 99% of the time!

Views towards Snowdonia at times were superb.

Lunch was taken alongside the Afon Llugwy, taking advantage of a picnic table and sitting in the Sun.

The approach to Llyn Elsie after lunch was new to us, and was probably one of the best routes we have done, certainly one to be repeated.

The descent from Llyn Elsi was quite steep and you had to watch where you were putting your feet, but at least it did descend to the road to Pont Y pair Bridge in Betws-y coed, much closer than I had expected.

Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, European robin, Eurasian jay, Common blackbird, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common buzzard, Herring gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Tufted duck, Canada goose, Chaffinch, Woodpeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Dipper, Mallard, Great spotted woodpecker and Goosander.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britaania Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went down well.