Our Outdoor Adventures: Sun 27 Feb 2011.....Craig Gwaun Taf 824m(2,703ft)

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....

the route map in an anti-clockwise direction of travel

We started out from the Nant Crew Bridge on the A470 and headed up the steep north-western face of Gwaun Nant Ddu; on reaching the top we headed on a 761mil bearing in a north-easterly direction until we reached the Cairn on Graig Fan Ddu overlooking the Upper Neuadd Reservoir; then turned on a 5,258mil bearing north-west to locate the crash site of Spitfire X4588 (SO 017184); .....

GS & KL looking for a suitable point to cross the river at the start

....from the crash site we headed north by north-west to reach the second Cairn by Cefn Cul and continued over Rhiw yr Ysgyfarnog to reach Craig Gwaun Taff; from Craig Gwaun Taf we headed in a south-westerly direction over Cefen Crew; and then continued south down Ffynnon Tyle-brith to reach the forest; and descended in a south by south-west direction to return back to the Nant Crew Bridge on the A470.


a north-westerly view from Gwan Nant Ddu

Yet again our navigation skills proved to be accurate, which enabled us to locate our target way-points to within a few meters. We now remain confident that our navigation skills have been adequately re-kindled, to enable us to confidently explore the remainder of the Brecon Beacons (and even possibly progress to the Himalayas or even the Poles.......who knows.....lets see).

GS leading the way up Gwaun Nant Ddu

This was the longest excursion so far that GS has undertaken. Even though he displayed a few brief moment of fatigue, he marched-on at a very reasonable pace over the 7.5mile journey..........amazing performance for an 8year old with all the medical conditions he has.....eh?!?!

GS & KL on top of Gwan Nant Ddu

Even though we managed to capture these fantastic photographs on the excursion, we experienced the four seasons on route. Light rain, mist, beautiful sunshine, high winds, and even a few showers of hale were dished out on route!!

GS & KL at the crash site memorial

Also on route our target was to locate the crash site of Spitfire X4588. It is said that the Spitfire X4588, was crashed by Sgt. D P Carruthers during a formation flying exercise in May 1942 probably as a result of a combination of bad weather and a slight navigation error. Sgt Carruthers lost his life in the crash.

GS & I at the crash site memorial

Even though some older photos on the Internet show sizable wreckage of the crash, now there only remains a few bits and pieces at the location. Most of the wreckage has probably been taken away by relic hunters. This is not a nice thing to do.....as crash sites such as this are identified as war graves....and therefore these so called relic hunters are "grave robbers"!! Example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ww2-militaria-relic-/130475306157

We have now notified the Brecon Beacons Authority of this and await details of what action they intend to take. If this does not prove satisfactory, we will inform the MoD / RAF directly, who without question will take action against such individuals.

Toad or Frog spawn????

On Graig Fan Ddu at around 730m(2,395ft) we made an interesting observation of something that resembled either Toad or Frog-spawn! If it is that, it is amazing that such little creatures can live and reproduce on top of these mountains which are constantly ravaged by the elements!!