As well as doing lots of climbing many members of the SMC are keen hill walkers too. Two SMC members, Ash and Jo, along with friends Joanna, Linden and Toby the Schnauzer took trip to the eastern Brecons in April 2019. Jo recounts activities for the day.
‘On 13th April 2019, Jo, Joanna (over for a few months from USA), Ash, Linden and Toby the Schnauzer headed to Hay on Wye then drove out along narrow lanes to reach Hay Bluff car park, by the remnants of a small stone circle.
Braving the strong and unexpectedly cold winds (we all wished we had brought another layer!) we picked up Offa’s Dyke Path heading SE and then branching upwards into the bracing wind to reach the summit of Black Mountain (703m) along a very flat and inconspicuous hilltop and a very modest cairn.
We then turned N and NW to head across to Hay Bluff and clung to its trig point with the Welsh Dragon emblem as Toby’s ears flapped in the wind.
Twmpa looked a long way off in the distance but it was easier than it looked to get across, rewarding us with fantastic views along the NW edge of the Black Mountains area and the Welsh valley views below and a quick history lesson on the mighty King Offa during lunch.
We continued a little further before dropping down and heading NE to Pennant, picking our way through farms and footpaths and back to the car.
A quick cuppa in Hay on Wye was essential to help with the return journey, with Toby curled up asleep most of the way back. A really pleasant ~12km hike and great company and conversations during a wild and windy but sunny day out in Mid Wales.’
Jo Dennis