Sun 24 October 2010.....Craig y Fro @ 500m (1,640ft)

The 3 children, JL, KT, and I set out for our first excursion in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, which from now on is going to be the main area we hope to train, climb, and explore over the coming 6 to 12months or so.

With the drastically varying terrain and weather conditions, this will be ideal grounding for our future mountaineering aspirations.

We parked in the car park opposite the Storey Arms Centre; and climbed in a north-easterly direction up the north-eastern face of Fan Fawr continuing over Craig y Fro at an elevation of about 500m (1,640ft) along the section of Beacons Way; and descended back down the eastern face of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad onto the A470; and walked alongside the A470 back to the car park. We have not plotted this route, but it is easy to identify with the respective OS or Landranger map.

We progressed at a slow but steady pace, permitting the children to build their confidence in climbing. All was well until we reached the face of Craig y Fro above the disused quarry, where JL was over-come by an unexpected bout of vertigo on that shear face. Sending the children on with KT, I dropped back and coaxed JL down the remainder of the way with no further issues. Phew...............

Other than the above incident, all were in good spirits over the near 3mile course and thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.

Looking out to Y Gyrn from the  north-eastern face of Craig y Fro