Fantastic walk today. An early start from Cornwall, meant I arrived around 8:30am . Unfortunately Phil had to re jig his day and was a few hours ahead. Happily that meant I received a road condition warning and parked up safely a mile or so further down from the planned start point.
Other walkers were doing the same and I joined a chap planning the same walk. We headed up the road and cut off left onto the forest track. The snow was less deep than I was expecting, which boded well decent progress. We climbed up to the ridge at the end of the Forrest track and made fast progress up to Corn du.. and on to Pen Y Fan. Busy, but Les busy than last time I was up there, we stopped breifly for a cuppa and a bite to eat. The run down from the top was great fun, sliping and sliding in the snow, ice axe out wide expecting at any moment to be on my butt. Happily we both remained upright and after the slog up and down Cribyn, I was looking forward to the slightly shorter final climb of the day up to Fan Y Big, having not done that top before.
It was well worth the effort and as we continued around the rim, the views back toward the earlier peaks just got better and better. The now Blue sky adding the final perfect shine to an unforgettable day in the hills. The breathtaking winter views continued all the way to Craig y Fan Ddu, were we decended to theTaff Trail.
One final unplanned treat lay in wait, as we headed along the lanes back to the car park. Pentwyn Reservoir, normally mearly glanced from the car, presented a final photo opportunity, as the setting sun glowed orange on the snow covered far bank.
That one goes down as one of the best walks I have ever completed.