Sun 13 Feb 2011.....Carreg Goch 558m(1,830ft)

We set out to locate the crash site of the Wellington Bomber MF509 on the slopes of Carreg Goch in the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.

the MF509

The MF-509 was a Vickers Wellington bomber which crashed into the southwest slope of Carreg Goch during a night-training mission on November 20, 1944.

the memorial

Although the subsequent RAF report attributed the crash to crew error, it is thought more likely to have been caused by carburetor icing in the Wellington's starboard engine.

the crew of MF509

The entire Canadian crew on board the bomber was killed. They were interred with full military honours in Blacon Cemetery, Chester, England.

the route map

The original route we intended to take was to join the well-formed foot path at the rear of Carreg Haffes Farm and progress in its north-westerly route until approximately E82362-N17525 and then head south-west on a bearing of approx 4074mil over Carreg Goch to the crash site and return via via the same route.

at rear of Carreg Haffes Farm

However, at the rear of Carreg Haffes Farm it was rather impossible (especially for GS) to safely cross the Afon Haffes (river) due to the high flow (and some mini rapids too!!) and we were compelled to change course from our planned route.

a south-eastern view from Burnt Mound

Our new route from the rear of Carreg Haffes Farm was to head up the south to south-western slopes of the Burnt Mound and cross the Afon Haffes at the Waterfalls (approx E83000-N18000).

the main waterfall

What a fantastic route!!!! Even though it was overcast with some light drizzle, the views were amazing. With the Afon Haffes running at nearly full bore the waterfalls were in their full glory. We stopped for hot soup and sandwiches on a wide ledge directly opposite the main waterfall, which was a picture perfect picnic location ~ and would be especially in the summer!!

a view from Burnt Mound looking north

Fully refreshed in mind, body, and spirit we left the waterfalls headed south-west up the slope between Waun Fignen Felen and Twynwalter until we joined the original well-formed foot path we intended to use at approximately E82362-N17525. Taking the bearing of approx 4074mil from this point, we headed south-west over Carreg Goch to the crash site.

GS and KL at the memorial

By now there was a layer of mist restricting visibility beyond 500m obscuring any potential views and respective photo opportunities. We located the crash site with ease, and after paying our due respects at the memorial, we sat down to finish off the remainder of soup and sandwiches. Refreshed, we spent around 30minutes investigating the crash site and took numerous photographs, prior to continuing back the way we came to join the main foot path.

a easterly view from the foot path

In joining the main foot path, we followed its route in a south-easterly direction to the rear of the Shire Horse Centre and continued back onto the A4067 out of the gates to the Dan-yr-Ogof show cave entrance.

a south-easterly view from the foot path

Even though the weather was not exceptionally favourable, all in all it was a fantastic 4.5mile excursion, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

south-east from Burnt Mound

north-west from Burnt Mound

decent to Afon Haffes

upstream to the main waterfall

Afon Haffes flowing downstream

decent to Afon Haffes

the main waterfall

smaller falls downstream

the best picnic area ~ in the area

crash site debris1

crash site debris 2

at the memorial

KL and GS

crash site debris 3

crash site debris 4

the Canadian flags

the main path on route back

can we go home now......??

another hard day.....!!

Sun 06 Feb 2010.....Gwaun Cerrig 730m(2,395ft)

route map

Our original intention was to start from the Blaen-y-glyn car park and head over Graig Fan Las to Fan y Big; and return descending past the Upper Neuadd Reservoir and through the Taf Fechan Forest back to the Blaen-y-glyn car par. This planned 9mile route is denoted by the red dotted line on the map.

climb KY & GS on route to Craig y Fan Ddu

However, the atrocious weather conditions restricted us from progressing on our planned route. It was a wet day with mist over the entire route above 450m(1,476ft). However, the main problem was the wind speed which was well over 60mph and GS could not continue safely. In the areas with high wind, I had to tie a leash onto GS to to stabilise him and help him walk safely without getting blown-over by the wind. Due to these conditions we had change course from that originally planned.

KT & GS decending Gloddfa Ddu

Our new route is as denoted by the blue line on the map which was an overall distance of just over 4.5miles which we covered in just under 4hrs. The conditions were unsuitable to a have much needed break over the mountain as there was no sheltered location. So we persevered until we got to the the Filter House directly south of the Upper Neuadd Resrvoir which provided adequate shelter for a comfortable break.

KT & GS south of Upper Neuadd Reservior

Our good deed for the day was to assist direct two climbers who were lost on the eastern face of Craig Fan Ddu for some 2hrs in search of the route to Fan y Big. However, in passing them on our decent they did not did not seem to have the courtesy to acknowledge us as we crossed paths.......!!

KT & GS at entrance to Taf Fechan forestry

The return route from there onwards to the Blaen-y-glyn car park progressed well. All in all it was still an exhilarating walk for all, and more importantly gave GS some first hand experience on adverse weather conditions one might face on such excursions.

phew.......................what a day!!!

Thursday 03 Feb 2011.....Happy New Year To All Our Friends

Sun 30 Jan 2011.....Waun Rydd 769m(2,522ft)

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....

GS, KL, the "boys" and I set out on a different excursion this time. Whilst mountaineering was the general theme of the day, our main target was to visit a WWII Plane Crash site on the slopes of Waun Rudd.


**made an error on the crash details in the previous entry and have now corrected this**

the memorial to the flight crew

Some history on this crash:
On the 6 July 1942, Wellington Bomber No. R1465 took off from the Operational Training Unit at Wellesbourne Mountford, near Stratford upon Avon for a cross country flight training exercise. In heavy cloud conditions the pilot appears to have decided to descend from his advised level of 10,000 ft, to try and fix his position. In doing so, he hit the summit of Waun Rydd. All 5 members of the Canadian flight crew lost their lives.

memorial to Tony P

Also:
The small pile of stones on the left, behind the monument supports a cross bearing the name "Tony P". It is said that Tony P was an ex-member of the Parachute Regiment who served in the Falklands and subsequently became a member of the Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue Team. His ashes were spread at this location. We hope to find some more information on Tony and why his ashes were spread here............

 

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route map with elevation

 We started out at the car park on the south-west corner of the Blaen y glyn woodland and headed up Beacons Way over Craig y Fan Ddu; and continued along the eastern side of Graig Fan Las moving in a north-easterly direction until we met the intersection with Bwich y Ddwyallt and Rhiw Bwlch y Ddwyallt; then dropped down to the now visible memorial site in a south-easterly direction

GS and KL at the memorial

The location of the memorial had a somber feel about the area and after paying our due respects we settled above on the face of Waun Rydd for tea and snacks.

GS and KL at upper area of wreckage

In reflection, if the pilot maintain his course 30-40m higher he would have totally cleared the face of the mountain and landed safely on top................poor guys!!

lower area of wreckage

After our break we spent some time investigating the remnants of the plane and took some photographs. Then we climbed a short distance to the top of Waun Rydd and explored the area briefly before commencing our decent to return to the car park.

a view up the vally on the return journey

We climbed down the western face of Cerrig Edmwnt heading in a south-westerly direction until we joined the river; and continued to head south on the side of the river until we reached the eastern side of the Blaen y glyn woodland; and then joined then joined a well formed path to head through the woodland to the car park.

cascade of waterfalls on the return journey

We passed some fantastic picnic and camping sites on the side of river, of which we must make a note to return to this coming summer.

GS, KL, and "the boys" on return to the car park

 All in all a fantastic excursion in good weather which left us all in great spirits. A overall 5.5mile round trip which we completed in around 5hrs at a leisurely pace.