Last week I met up with @Nigep from twitter and headed up to Wales for a 2 night trip in the Black Mountain or Y Mynydd Du in the western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Glyntawe to Sinc Giedd.
Setting off after lunch it took us 3 hours to get to Glyntawe, and after paying £3/day parking we left the car in the Dan-yr-Ogof campsite. Packs shouldered we headed behind the campsite, following the zig-zagging path up the steep slope and past a disused quarry.
View up the valley towards Fan Gyhirych from Glyntawe in Powys Wales (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
We were soon up on the moor and following the well worn and surprisingly dry path through an area littered with shake holes.
After a couple of miles we found the strange valley of the upper Afon Giedd where the river flows until it hits an outcrop of limestone and disappears into it’s own bed at Sinc Giedd or Swallow Hole. The weather forecast was dry and there was no risk of the narrow valley flooding, so we found a good pitch in the bottom on a flat piece of ground next to the river.
Wild camping near to Sinc Giedd or the Swallow Hole in Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Overnight the sky cleared and I spend some time star gazing up at the moonless sky while lying under my tarp.
Sinc Giedd to Llyn y Fan Fawr.
The next morning after breaking camp we explored the valley until it’s abrupt end when the river disappears into the ground, apparently to re-appear down in the Dan-yr-Ogof caves.
Sinc Giedd where the Afon Giedd drops underground and into a cave system (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Sinc Giedd where the Afon Giedd drops underground and into a cave system (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
We headed west picking our way over a couple of shallow and boggy valleys. Then contouring and dropping down to cross the Afon Twrch, which forms the boundary between the counties of Powys and Carmarthenshire.
Looking down the Afon Twrch valley in the Black Mountain area of Brecon Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Sphagnum moss in Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Next we climbed the slopes of Garreg Las, zig-zagging the way up through areas of wet bog and bouldery scree. Stopping to drink in the view over the land we had just crossed it seemed a fitting time for some lunch.
View from Esgair Hir in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Re-fuelled we climbed to the top of the hill and to the top of one of two giant stone cairns. The views west and south opened up as far as the Gower and beyond to Pembrokeshire.
View west from Twyn-Swnd towards Moel Gornach in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
We dropped down the northern shoulder and then crossed the broad valley, climbing the long steep western slopes of Bannau Sir Gaer. Eventually we reached the spectacular cliffs overlooking Llyn y Fan Fach.We continued along the ridge following the Beacons Way and passing the first people since leaving Glyntawe. The views just keep getting better here as Picws Du is climbed.
Llyn y Fan Fach in the Black Mountain area of Brecon Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Llyn y Fan Fach in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
We dropped down into the bwlch and climbed up to Fan Foel where the view back along the ridge is fantastic. Shortly after crossing the border back into Powys county, the view east opens up right the way across to the Central Beacons and Pen y Fan.
View East from Fan-foel towards Peny Fan and the Central Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
We continued up and on to the highest point in the Black Mountain Fan Brycheiniog, where Nigel’s video camera battery died. Figuring the best pitch would be down by Llyn y Fan Fawr we dropped steeply down to it’s shores via Bwlch Giedd. I found a brilliant pitch on a small finger of land jutting out into the lake before cooking up a big meal to replenish the energy stores.
Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Llyn y Fan Fawr to Glyntawe.
Over night the sky cleared again and I hoped for a good sunrise. This time I was lucky and the sun rose behind Pen y Fan as I looked out under the tarp.
Sunrise over Pen y Fan from a wild camp in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
I got up in the cold wind and ran around taking photographs before breakfast.
Sunrise over Peny Fan and the Central Beacons from the shores of Llyn y Fan Fawr (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Fan Brycheiniog rises from the western edge of Llyn y Fan Fawr
Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Rocks on the shore of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
After breaking camp we headed off down the Beacons Way which runs beneith the Fan Hir ridge and past a very pretty waterfall.
The Beacons Way footpath runs along the bottom of the Fan Hir ridge (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
Waterfall on the Beacons Way below the Fan Hir ridge in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)
The sun was warming us up nicely. After eventually picking our way down the hill, we tramped the half-mile back along the road to the car, happy and tired. You can see the photos in the Wales Gallery over on the main site.
Nigel put together a video of the trip please go and take a look.
***geek alert*** If you are interested in what I carried for the trip take a look at my gear list on Geargrams.com a really useful little site which breaks down the weights and even gives you a pie-chart!
