MY WALKING WORLD - East of Blaenau Ffestiniog
   
26/02/06 - The walk was organised by the 40sWalkersNorth and there were 10 of us present, the day started clear with good visibility but a bitter cold wind. We started from Blaenau Ffestiniog and climbed up through the deserted quarries up onto the moor, then we crossed the boggy moorland and up onto the summit of Moel Penamnen, we left the summit and went along the ridge and down to the col then up onto the summit of Manod Mawr North Top. We then walked down the hillside  skirting the still partly used quarries and the  up onto the final summit of Manod Mawr. By this time it had clouded over and there was a good covering of snow on the north facing slopes. We then followed the hillside down towards Blaenau Ffestiniog passing through a fascinating world of spoil heaps, abandoned buildings and and many long inclines which were used to transport the slate down to the town and then on to Portmadoc for shipment throughout the world. A truly interesting walk with great company and a good mixture of weather - 9 miles
   
Looking back down through the deserted quarry with the town below. The Moelwyns are in the distance

   
The view across to the Moelwyns.  Cnicht is on the left

   
Passing through the remains of an old winding house at the top of an incline

   
Looking back to the old winding house at the top of the incline
   
Cloud coming in as we cross the frozen moorland. the mountain is Manod Mawr where we will be later in the day. Despite being frozen several of our party got wet feet as the frozen crust of the moorland gave way
   
Leaving the summit of Moel Penamnen to follow th ridge across the valley to Manod Mawr North Top which is to the right and off the picture

   
Phil our leader directing walkers around some of the boggy bits

   

40s WalkersNorth enjoying themselves

 

Photo of the group taken on Moel Penamnen by Phil Rees
   
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