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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or discriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | ||||
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| Wales - Radnor Forest Bleddfa to New Radnor Village Sunday 12th December 2004 ...............Walk No. 608 |
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Midland Hillwalkers No. 68 Total 825 miles 'B' Walk led by Chris Othen Time Taken: 4.50 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Misty & Very Dull 10:00 am - 2:30 pm 8 miles 75% Cold Wind on Tops Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: 7oC 100% 0% Very Poor Boggy in Places Birds, Sheep Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 780.5 mls 825 mls 1700.5 mls 121 mls 898 mls 4441.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Ken, Lynn, John and the contents of Trevor's coach. Points of Interest: Fishpools Bleddfa Fforest Fach Rock Dingle Radnor Forest Rhiw Lawr Black Mixen Harley Dingle Great Creigiau Whinyard Rocks Whimble Knowle Hill New Radnor Village Black Mixen : 2133 feet (650 metres) Whimble : 1965 feet (599 metres)General: Light refreshments and 'boots on' at Knighton on the Welsh Border brought back good memories of 'Offa's Dyke Path' and the start of 'Gyndwr's Highway'. Continued in coach to Radnor Forest with 'B' group start at Fishpools near Bleddfa. Left Trevor's coach in lay-by and started walking through Fforest Fach to Rock Dingle. Crossed a small footbridge over a fast flowing stream, up a boggy but good track in valley bottom towards Radnor Forest. Steep ascent to corner of forest and mist of Rhiw Lawr. Good track and steady relentless gradient to top edge of forest and open moorland of Black Mixen. The mist was so bad we couldn't see the communications tower at summit until we reached the compound gates. There was no compound when I visited the summit of Black Mixen on walk number 122 on 26th April 1987, only a portable transmitter with a light cell. The going was very rough and wet after the tower despite the recent dry weather. We all followed in single file watching every step very carefully. The day's leader, Chris, took us to the edge of Harley Dingle but the mist denied us of the impressive view. We continued around the edge of the dingle to a small outcrop of rock where we sheltered from the cold wind and had our lunch. The path continued along the edge of the dingle past Whinyard Rocks to the foot of Whimble. We scaled the gate by the wood and slowly ascended the steep slopes to the summit, stopping for a puff on many occassions. Again, no view due to the mist. A steep decent to another wood and the first view of the day by Knowle Hill. Another good track led us directly into New Radnor Village and a welcome pint in the Radnor Arms. Early finish due to a good pace because of the lack of good views. Plenty of time for an excellent early Christmas drink. Thanks to Chris for a good walk. If only the weather could be booked as easy as the coach. www.streetmap.co.uk, start Fishpools 319240/268280, finish New Radnor 321295/260755, via Black Mixen 319635/264385 Hazards: Very wet & muddy on top of Black Mixen and along forest tracks due to dense evergreen trees providing dark shadows. Extreme care required in mist. Ensure a good map and compass is always close to hand. | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2004 Devised: December 2004 | |||||