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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:42:43, 06/12/18

Title: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:42:43, 06/12/18
This silly method of mountain status classification strikes again. :D
The lofty hill of Moel Penolau in the Northern Rhinogs above Tanygrisiau, has been elevated to Mountain status, even though its location well above the 2000ft contour at 2014ft, amongst the savage Welsh Badlands, makes it a difficult summit to reach.
I would have thought that sense would dictate that any hill or lofty peak above 2000ft, would look mountainous due to its lofty elevation, and the no one in their right minds would describe Van Y Big along the Central Beacons main ridge as a hill, even though its lost its status as a mountain.


There must be a fair number of these hills in both England and Wales that are secretly pretending to be hills, when they should be mountains.
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: sussamb on 12:27:10, 06/12/18
I assume you mean Fan y Big  ::)
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: vghikers on 13:04:48, 06/12/18
Quote
The lofty hill of Moel Penolau in the Northern Rhinogs above Tanygrisiau, has been elevated to Mountain status...

Actually it is promoted to Hewitt and Simm status, having a prominence of 30m+. It always was a (twin-top) mountain per the Nuttall definition.
Edit: to add that it's Foel Penolau
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: ninthace on 13:29:09, 06/12/18
The Brecons are just big hills in my book :) .  I reckon proper mountains ought to be bigger and pointier.  4 houses ago we had a 6000'+ hill at the end of the valley - the mountains were bigger!  In fact, thinking about it, my compost heap was only 400' short of being a UK mountain!
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: sussamb on 14:47:05, 06/12/18
The Brecons are just big hills in my book :) 



Agreed. I started walking them around 50 years ago and they've always been hills in my book  O0


P.S. it's the Beacons not the Brecons, or Brecon Beacons  ;)
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: phil1960 on 15:44:15, 06/12/18
I was on Foel Penolau a short while back and don’t recall it being above Tanygrisiau, I stayed there in one of the last cottages leading up to Cwmorthin, anyway I digress. I agree and disagree with the comments above, it’s definitely the Beacons, never ever the Brecons, wherever that is  ::)  But the Beacons not mountains? Nah sorry guys I agree they are ‘rolling’ but they are real mountains alright  ;)
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: sussamb on 16:29:16, 06/12/18
Yeah but from your height everything is a mountain  ;D
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: phil1960 on 16:45:44, 06/12/18
Hey 5ft 10” in my boots, now swmbo, that’s a different thing  ;D
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: sussamb on 16:58:15, 06/12/18
You talking about your high heeled ones again  :o
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: ninthace on 17:15:57, 06/12/18
P.S. it's the Beacons not the Brecons, or Brecon Beacons  ;)
I’ve been doing it wrong then dad. Beacons are for navigation in my book. :)
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:34:05, 06/12/18
Why oh why do people feel the need to classify and collect mountains, as if they were stamps?
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:38:57, 06/12/18
FOEL Penolau is a wonderful summit, whether it be hill, mountain or whatever, located as it is at the northern end of what must be the roughest bit of country south of the Great Glen.
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: phil1960 on 17:39:05, 06/12/18
Have you seen the cost of stamps lately, shocking!
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: phil1960 on 17:39:41, 06/12/18
FOEL Penolau is a wonderful summit, whether it be hill, mountain or whatever, located as it is at the northern end of what must be the roughest bit of country south of the Great Glen.
Agreed  O0
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: sussamb on 20:11:03, 06/12/18
I’ve been doing it wrong then dad. Beacons are for navigation in my book. :)


Only if you're a sailor in mine  ;D
Title: Re: Moel Penolau Named as a new Welsh Mountain- Where Next
Post by: Penygadair on 20:20:07, 12/12/18
Hill or mountain doesn't really matter. It's a cracking but relatively easy walk. Last did it summer of '17.


Follow the track from Cefn Clawdd to the old manganese workings turn north and ascend the col between Moel Ysgyfarnogod and Foel Penolau. You can now easily reach either summit.


However some scrambling is required to get to the top of Penolau. Just remember to leave a marker where you went up.