Arrived in Hay on Wye the night before staying at quirky B&B being the old Post Office, but very comfortable and met some interesting people in process. Start of the Sunday and weather not great raining and a moderate breeze, not great for climbing a mountain. After getting provisions drove to village of Cusop at the base of Cusop Dingle and the way up to the mountains. Decided to press on despite the weather and started walking up to point I could join the pathway that marks the border of England and Wales and called Offas Dyke Path. Initially this led through fields and lanes and in fact got lost along with fellow walkers, a bit of investigation and finally found actual track. The track led up steep fields and past farmyards and finally emerged onto heath land and my first sight of the mountains through the mist and rain. The rain now getting hard so full wet weather gear on and some doubts about the practicality of reaching this high point. Carried on regardless until joining road at foot of mountains. Having checked with local climbers started out on ascent of mountain somewhat apprehensive especially being on my own. The track was meant to go over the first peak Hay Bluff (677m) but the track I was taking appeared to go up the side, interrogation of the OS map confirmed this route should go straight to 703m ridge so pressed on. After 2.5 hours of hard climbing reached what appeared to be high point marked by small cairn, however as visibility so bad continued on path (which was well defined) for approx 1 mile more to be sure it did not go higher. This was confirmed by 14:00 as path appeared to be going down again, so fearing I would run out of time, decided to head back. Returned via the same route taking a few phots when weather allowed. Got back to car 16:30 some 5 hours after I started. This was certainly my hardest climb, disappointing weather so no real views, but rewarding as such a hard climb in bad conditions, surely a a taste of what was to come as I headed north later in the year. |
Background
This Challenge was formed whilst recovering from a bad burst appendix, a time when I could not run, swim or do anything other than walk, so what walking challenges could I dream up - I know climb the highest point in each county of England
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Black Mountains Herefored & Worcester - 5 September 2010
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