After the recent snow we were keen to get out into the mountains. With an excellent forecast we decided to head over to the Brecon Beacons and climb up to the Waun Rydd plateau. We decided on this route as we hadn’t climbed up this side of the Pen y Fan massive before, so thought it would provide some new viewpoints.

After a slow start which involved ascent on a road and then through a forrest, we were treated to a lovely climb up to Pen y Bryn with fantastic views back towards the Black Mountains and of our descent route. Once we got to the top of Pen y Bryn we had a brilliant view of Fan y Big and Cribyn. This view just kept getting better as we climbed up to the plateau.

As we climbed the wind kept getting stronger, and it was a very cold wind! After traversing the plateau via the crash memorial site we found a cairn to hide behind to provide some limited shelter for some lunch. The last bit across the plateau to the descent was a bit of a slog, but the descent was lovely and provided yet more brilliant views across to Llangorse and the Black Mountains.

About to leave the forrest on the ascent to Pen y Bryn
Climbing up to Pen y Bryn
Panorama including Fan y Big and Cribyn
Plenty of snow in mid wales
Climbing up to the Waun Rydd plateau
Becky on front of Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan
Traversing the plateau
Leaving the relative shelter of our lunch spot
Dramatic snowy views
Descending towards the Black Mountains
Descending towards the Black Mountains
Descending towards the Black Mountains
Panorama of the Black Mountains and Sugarloaf