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Sussex Scrapbook ~ Wildlife walks throughout the year

Friday 6^th to Sunday 8^th September 2014
Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons, Wales.
6.2 miles.

This was a weekend arranged by the West Sussex County Mountaineering Team, whose remit is to introduce members of the scouting association to the mountains of the UK and to support and assist leaders in gaining Scout Hill Walking permits. I already have a Terrain 1 permit but needed a Terrain 2 so that I could take Scouts above 800m and so to the top of all of the mountains of the UK. This weekend would also act as a practice for my Mountain Leader assessment in the Lake District in 2 weeks' time. An ordeal that I am very nervous about!

I rode up there on the bike on Friday afternoon and the weather was incredibly kind to us, not a drop of rain and a beautiful sunset over the Rhonnda Valley with a sundog for good measure. The bike ran perfectly, like a well-oiled sewing machine only much louder. It took me about 5 hours and 3 stops for petrol.

On the Saturday we all went out onto the hills one-to-one with an instructor and were given a proper test in navigation. I had to find small targets on the map using bearings and pacing, I was asked questions about leading groups and hiking in general and given the chance to talk about the area and the environment. In fact we had a really nice day out in the beautiful weather amongst the heather and waterfalls.

On the Sunday the whole group went on a nice hike up to the tops of Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cryben. Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in Southern Britain (886m) but because the day was so hot and sunny there were hordes of people at the summit.

At the end of the walk the instructor told me I had earned my Terrain 2 permit and said that I should do very well at my ML assessment, which left me feeling confident, very happy and less nervous about the forthcoming test.

The Cynon Valley Cottage and Bunkhouse (Tyle Morgrug), near Rhigos, Wales.

The view behind us as we climb.

The first objective was Corn Du (873m), the top of the ridge on the horizon. This is the second highest peak in the Brecon Beacons.

The top is very flat and rocky. From there we could already see the crowd at the top of Pen y Fan.

We didn't get any pictures at the summit, we just had a quick drink and set off for the next peak, Cribyn (795m).

Cribyn.

To get back we contoured around Pen y Fan and Corn Du to meet up with the Beacons Way.

Take the time to read the countryside code for yourself and please stick to it at all times.