Gwent Mountaineering Club

Walk: Wild Fforest Fawr 22km/13.5miles, 835m/2740ft ascent (Moderate/Hard)
2024-08-04 09:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Ystradfellte, village car park
In the Middle Ages, “forest” referred to land demarcated for hunting by the nobility. Lying between the Brecon Beacons to the east and the Carmarthen Fans (Black Mountain) to the west, Fforest Fawr was once extensively wooded. Populated by red deer, several areas were also set aside for the breeding of rabbits for meat and fur. Today this desolate upland is known mainly for sheep and cattle farming, water catchment, and conifer plantations. With extant prehistoric monuments and sites of scientific interest it is a remote walking area in the middle of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Starting from the car park in Ystradfellte village, our moderate to hard walk of 22km/13.5miles with 835m/2740ft ascent will take us on a journey through the wildest and least frequented parts, where (weather permitting) we can view the scenic panorama that is the Fforest Fawr mountain range of Fan Gyhirych, Fan Fraith, Fan Nedd, Fan Llia, and Fan Fawr. We will journey through the rough and wild landscape to ascend and traverse the first three of these summits before returning to our starting point.

Start at 9.30am. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN929134.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Taff's Well West (sport)
2024-08-07 15:00 - 21:00 | Taff’s Well West
Climbing at Taff’s Well West (sport)
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms for more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook – Taff’s Well (ukclimbing.com)
Taffs Well – South Wales Climbing Wiki (SWCW)
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening Walk: Tor Y Foel
2024-08-08 19:00 - 21:30
Start from the Coach and Horses, Llangynidr with drinks post walk. Parking is free for those who have a drink after the walk but there is a charge to use the car park if not using the pub facilities.
Walk is the ascent of Tor Y Foel- with a choice to descend via the Usk Valley walk and then along the canal if time allows, or to go up and down Tor Y Foel the same way. Head torch advised.
OS Explorer Maps OL13, grid reference SO145198.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Fairy Cave Quarry (Trad)
2024-08-11 09:30 - 17:00
Saturday climbing at Fairy Cave Quarry, Somerset. Trad. Some fixed gear. Slab heaven!
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook (ukclimbing.com): Fairy Cave Quarry
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Climb: Gilwern (sport)
2024-08-14 09:30 - 18:30 | Gilwern
Saturday sport climbing at Gilwern
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms for more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook – Gilwern (ukclimbing.com)
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening Walk: Mynydd Machen
2024-08-15 19:00 - 21:30
Pauline’s walk this Thursday evening is a ”there and back again” up Mynydd Machen from Risca. It’s a steady and gradual climb along shaded, but stony paths emerging into moorland before the final walk up to the trig point. There are extensive views from the top if the weather allows and as with most of the Welsh valleys the industrial history of this area is really very interesting.
Meet at MSJB Motors NP11 6DP. OS Explorer 152, grid reference SO 237 905. Take the M4 to J27, then the B4591 to Risca. In Risca, pass the park on your right and take the next left at the Railway Tavern. Follow the road up under the bridge, past Dan y Graig Bungalows to park on the road.
Refreshments at The Darran, NP11 6GU.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Avon West Side (Trad & Sport)
2024-08-17 09:30 - 17:00
Sunday climbing at Avon West Side (exact location to be confirmed nearer the time).
Trad & Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Walk: Last Up Pen y Fan. 20km/12.5miles, 1330m/4400ft ascent (Hard)
2024-08-18 09:30 - 17:00 | Cwm Llwch, informal parking
Jon will lead us on this hard walk of 20km/12.5miles and 1330m/4400ft ascent.
Starting at 9.30am from Cwm Llwch. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SO006245.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Taff's Well Main (Sport)
2024-08-21 15:00 - 21:00
Wednesday evening climbing at Taff’s Well Main. Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook (ukclimbing.com): Taff’s Well
South Wales Climbing Wiki (SWCW): Taff’s Well
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening Walk: Ancient Church, a Pen and a Pub. 8.4km/5.2miles
2024-08-22 18:30 - 21:30
The walk (which starts at the earlier time of 6.30pm) starts from the car park at St Meugan’s Church, signposted Llanfeugan, Pencelli (grid ref SO 087 245). Follow the signs for Llanfeugan and Plas Pencelli from Pencelli.

The Pen is Pen y Bryn with great views of the Black Mountains and the Beacons – weather permitting.

The Pub is the Royal Oak at Pencelli.

We will take a route south west to the top, and then descend north-east to join the Usk Valley Trail to return to the start. The distance is 8.4km/5.2 miles with 300m of climb.

I would like to start the walk at 6.30pm to make the most of the daylight, but please bring torches.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Weekend climb: North Pembrokeshire (trad)
2024-08-24 - 2024-08-26
Bank holiday weekend of climbing (trad) in North Pembrokeshire.
Most crags are abseil in, and there are a few non-abseil crags. A large spread of grades on both popular slabs and more adventurous isolation. Some members are staying at Rhosgadw Farm campsite – a GMC favourite. There’s a range of other accommodation around St David’s from hotels, B&Bs, campsites, even a premier inn.
For more details please contact Sara Davies or Ian Goudge
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Walk: Pontsticill to Talybont Reservoir. 25km/15miles, 835m/2800feet ascent (Hard)
2024-08-25 09:30 - 17:00
The route ascends Cwar yr Ystrad, Bryn Cefnog, Glyn Collwn at the head of the reservoir. Then onto Allt Forgan to some small waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn. Passing Dolygaer & then follow close to the reservoir edge back to the start.
Start 9.30am at Pontsticill Bus Terminus (no buses on Sundays), OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SO058118, close to the dam.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Navigation Quarry (mostly sport, some trad).
2024-08-28 15:00 - 21:00
Navigation Quarry climb (mostly sport, some trad).
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms for more details please contact John Jones.
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening walk: Tintern & Devil's Pulpit
2024-08-29 19:00 - 21:30
Join Peter on this walk from Tintern taking in the Devil’s Pulpit.
Further details to follow.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Craig Cerrig-gleisiad. 18km/11miles (Moderate)
2024-09-01 09:30 - 17:00
Join Keith on this moderately graded walk through the reserve up on to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad, Fan Fawr, Ystradfellte Reservoir, Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth and back to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad (possible extension to bag Fan Frynych). Descend back to car park.
The car park (layby) for the Craig Cerrig–gleisiad Nature Reserve is on the A470 about 2Km north of Storey Arms on the left-hand side. OS Explorer Map 160, grid reference 971222.
Please let Keith know if you intend to join.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Crag clean up (venue TBC)
2024-09-01 09:30 - 18:30 | Gilwern
Crag clean up- location TBC. Trad/sport clean and climb.
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Climb: Cwmaman (Sport)
2024-09-04 15:00 - 21:00
Wednesday evening climbing at Cwmaman. Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook (ukclimbing.com): Cwmaman
South Wales Climbing Wiki (SWCW): Cwmaman
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Climb: Avon (sport and trad)
2024-09-07 09:30 - 17:00 | Avon
Sport and trad climbing at Avon
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms for more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook – Avon Gorge (Main Area) (ukclimbing.com)
UKC Logbook – Avon Gorge (Sea Walls Area) (ukclimbing.com)
UKC Logbook – Avon Gorge (Suspension Bridge Area) (ukclimbing.com)
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Walk: Ogmore Vale Circuit 29km/18miles, 760m/2500m ascent (Hard)
2024-09-08 09:00 - 17:00
Join Paul for this circuit of the Ogmore Vale. The route takes in Mynydd William Meyrick, Gilfach Goch, descending the Dimbath valley and back up to Llangeinor mountain.
Start 9am at Aber Houses OS Explorer Map 166, grid reference SS936 916. Good parking available.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Location TBC (Sport)
2024-09-11 15:00 - 21:00
Wednesday evening climbing at location TBC. Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening Walk: Twmbarlwm
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:30
Join Richie for this evening’s walk up Twmbarlwm. Starting at 7pm from from the large visitor centre carpark at Cwmcarn Forrest drive, grid reference ST225935 (not the small carpark).
Drinks at The Darran pub, Risca NP11 6GU.
Please bring a headtorch.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Weekend trip: Introduction to scrambling, North Wales
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-15
Weekend trip to a hut nestled between Tryfan and the Carneddau Mountains in North Wales 13th – 15th September 2024.
Kath and Jon Singleton have agreed to organise some introduction to scrambling sessions over the weekend of 13th to 15th September. The plan is to do a Grade 1 scramble on the Saturday and if abilities of the group and weather allow, will do a harder Grade 1 or Grade 2 route on Sunday.
If you don’t fancy scrambling, there is the opportunity to arrange your own activities using the hut as a base and meet up with the scramblers in the evening.
If you are interested in attending please email Jo Dodd and let her know if you are signing up for scrambling or not so Jo can arrange enough leaders. Jo will take names on a first come first served basis and then hold a list in case anyone drops out. Full details have been shared in an email sent by Jo 3rd Feb 2024.

Climb: Wintours Leap (trad and sport)
2024-09-15 09:30 - 17:00
Trad and sport climbing at Wintours Leap.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms for more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook – Wintour’s Leap (ukclimbing.com)
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Indoor climb - location TBC
2024-09-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Summit Centre, Trelewis, The Old Drift Mine Trelewis, Treharris, CF46 6RD
Wednesday evening climbing. Location TBC.
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Evening Walk: Upper Wyndcliff and the Eagles Nest, 7.3km/4.5miles
2024-09-19 19:00 - 21:00
Join Sian and Tiago on this 7.3km/5mile evening walk around Upper Wyndcliff and the Eagles Nest.
We’ll start at 7pm from the Upper Wyndcliff car park, postcode NP16 6HG.
Drinks will be at the The Piercefield, NP16 6EJ.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Blaise Castle Gorge, Avon (Trad, Sport)
2024-09-21 09:30 - 17:00
Saturday climbing at Blaise Castle Gorge, Avon. Trad and Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook (ukclimbing.com): Blaise Castle Gorge (Avon)
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Indoor climb
2024-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Summit Centre, Trelewis, The Old Drift Mine Trelewis, Treharris, CF46 6RD
Wednesday evening climbing.
Choice of two venues:
Boulders Cardiff, St. Catherines Park, Pengam Road, Cardiff CF24 2RZ
The Summit Centre, The Old Drift Mine Trelewis, Treharris South Wales, CF46 6RD

Walk: Penallta to Mynydd Eglwysilan, 27km/17miles, 610m/2000 feet ascent (Hard)
2024-09-29 09:30 - 17:00
Join Mark on this hard walk from Penallta to Mynydd Eglwysilan. Covering 27km/17miles and ascent of 610m/2000 feet. The walk will follow the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway to Llanfabon, Mynydd Eglwysilan, Mynydd Meio to Abertridwr, then follow the railway to Penyrheol. Walking back to the start via the Sengheydd Dyke.
Start 9.30am at Parc Penallta car park, grid reference SO135 956.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Climb: Blaenllechau (Sport)
2024-09-29 09:30 - 17:00
Sunday climbing at Blaenllechau. Sport.
Timings will be advised via climbing group comms. For more details please contact John Jones.
UKC Logbook (ukclimbing.com): Blaenllechau
South Wales Climbing Wiki (SWCW): Blaenllechau
Climbing meets are weather dependent and can change at short notice. Please contact the organiser for more information.

Walk: Details to follow
2024-09-29 09:30 - 17:00
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.
