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Autumn 2001 - Cader Idris 04/10/01-07/10/01
Thursday 4th October
Three cars left the Luton area at about 06:30 and rendezvoused at the Little Chef at Trewern near the Welsh border arriving within minutes of each other; A few "Bigger Breakfasts" and other similar items were consumed before resuming the journey westwards. On arrival at Bontddu the cars were abandoned and all participants except Norman who was still to arrive independently, set off on a walk to Barmouth over high ground to the north of the Mawddach estuary. After refreshments most continued via the Panorama Walk to the starting point, covering about 12 miles. Near Bontddu the group encountered Norman who was on the last lap of a marathon 300 mile cross-country journey from North Devon. Norman then continued to Barmouth where he picked up Jack & Roland who had declined to leave the cake shops and proceeded to Llanbedr Youth Hostel, the others arriving soon after. In a departure from normal routine everyone had a hostel dinner before heading for the Victoria nearby.
Friday 5th October
The weather was uncertain so the group split into two parties; Party A comprising Paul, Andy, Graham, Dick & Ian were determined to conquer Cadair Idris (2947 ft) if the top became visible, but Party B comprising the remainder fancied a ride on the Tal-y-Llyn narrow gauge railway and a walk around Dolgoch Falls. Cars were left at Barmouth and both parties marched as one across the wooden Barmouth Bridge across the Mawddach which has now been repaired after being partly eaten by Terrado Navalis (Marine worm) and all reached the south bank safely.
The two groups separated at this point with the Cadair Idris party heading in that direction via the Mawddach Trail and Kings Youth Hostel, ascending the mountain via the Pony Path in clear but very windy conditions. Reaching the summit they had excellent views, especially of Barmouth in the distance from where they started. After Paul had been blown over they continued eastwards along the summit ridge and descended into Dolgellau just as the rain started, having covered about 15 miles, a bus was taken back to Barmouth.
The trainspotters group, which included two founder members, travelled by rail from Morfa Mawddach to Tywyn and on to Nant Gwernol by Tal-y-Llyn Railway.
Lunch was taken in sunshine at the Railway Arms in Abergynolwyn (except Jack who briefly adjourned to a bus shelter to eat his sandwich, unfortunately just as the bus turned up). The walk was resumed down to Dolgoch Falls which entailed a bit of cross-country where a path no longer existed to the ravine and a careful crossing of some barbed wire.
The falls were in spate and quite impressive. Returning to the railway at Dolgoch Station the rain started and presently they returned to Tywyn on the last train, returning to Barmouth by "real" train. The distance covered was about 5.5 miles. Later everyone had a meal at the Victoria in Llanbedr.
Saturday 6th October
The weather was still uncertain but Party B were also determined to scale Cadair Idris if it was not in cloud. The more athletic "A" team headed for the Rhinogs to the north, after some difficulty with misinformation from a guidebook in rough terrain (boulders hidden by deep heather for an hour, and needing to dam a 6' wide stream to ford it), walking up Rhinog Fawr (2376 ft) and Y Llethr (2494 ft) before finding a pub in Barmouth where the England - Greece match was on TV. Although it was still extremely windy they enjoyed longer dry weather than the second Cadair Idris party who set out from the start of the Pony Track and reached the top in under three hours which was double what they expected (and double that of team A the previous day!).
The wind was dangerously strong from the south which kept all well away from the north rim overlooking Llyn y Gadair, the surface of which was being whipped into curtains of spray far below. After a short while at the Trig. Point the rain set in and the group adjourned to the summit shelter to eat their lunch, however they were soon joined by a sheep intent on begging scraps. A young couple joined in the conversation and when asked where they were headed stated that they were going to the bottom of the mountain. Well, that was undeniably true. The party descended via the Foxes Path and Llyn y Gadair which was a nightmare of large loose boulders and very steep as well as very wet. It later transpired that this route is discouraged in a guidebook as being dangerous; There's a lesson. Phil and Jack kept spirits up with a demonstration of how not to use stepping stones crossing a stream near the bottom. Having achieved their objective, tea and KitKats were taken at the Gwernan Lake Hotel at the foot of the Foxes Path. Mileage walked approx. 6 miles including return to the car park.
Everyone arrived at Corris Youth Hostel that evening and later enjoyed a meal and several pints of Banks' Bitter at the Slater's Arms, while discussing such varied subjects as Bletchley Park, satellite spotting and whether NASA actually went to the Moon in 1969.
Sunday 7th October
Norman left the scene in order to make a more leisurely homeward journey and the two groups decided on their respective walks. Party A opted to do the whole eight miles along the cycle route No. 8 including part of the old Corris Railway, to the Cross Foxes Inn for lunch and Party B went on a circular incorporating the "Precipice Walk" which was supposed to be about 4 miles but because of the removal of a footpath shown on the map up to the precipice, the route was more indirect including some road walking and around Llyn Cynwch resulting in a 6.5 mile total, this did not detract from the dramatic views over the Afon Mawddach and estuary. Everyone met up at the Cross Foxes for lunch as planned, if a little late in the case of Party B, and eventually headed home via Welshpool and M54 / M6 / M1 in continuous heavy rain all the way. Although the weather was atrocious at times we also enjoyed some sunny breaks and dry periods.
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