Training Log Archive: GD44

PBR Recce - Leg 4
[supporting Ben McGovn on his 22:12 PBR round]

I decided to support Ben on his PBR round because his start place, direction and schedule were similar to mine although his was faster. This meant that I'd be doing this leg in the dark similar to what I'd be doing]

Llanberis> Elidir Fach: Ben McGov took the utility slabs up the first incline and then the steps on the left after that. I'm more inclined to take the road/track option rather than the last (broken) incline. [as Keri J did on our recce].

I do wonder if there is a more direct line to Elidir Fach from the tarmac road than this. From Google Earth, it does look like that there is an indistinct trod that heads NE instead of SE. Worth a look if I've got time.

Elidir Fach>Elidir Fawr: In the dark, head east.

Elidir Fawr>Mynydd Perfedd: Stay high (left) in the saddle. Ben McG went left of the fence to avoid having to cross later on but not sure if this saves time.

Mynydd Perfedd>Foel Goch: Cross back through the broken fence and down its right hand side. Turns into a path. Do not stay left of the fence.

Near the top, cross the fence and head left to the end to reach summit.

Foel Goch>Y Garn: OK. DOwn to the saddle & back up again (like many other legs!)

Y Garn>Glyder Fawr: Big descent (through a stile) towards the pond at the saddle, then a big ascent up the gully. Finlay Wild approached/exited the summit on the SE side i.e. to the right as I approach when going clockwise.

Glyder Fawr>Glyder Fach: I went too far right in the saddle between the two. After passing the 972m summit head north to the right of it (might be some clambering) and it'll turn into a nice track. There doesn't appear to be a brilliant route to the summit when immediately adjacent to it. Don't bother going north as it's just as difficult!

Glyder Fach>Tryfan: Pretty much nailed this.

Tryfan>Ogwen Car Park: Quad basher!

PBR Recce - Leg 5
[Supporting Ben McGovn's PBR attempt which was 22:12 overall]

Llyn Ogwen Car Park > Pen yr Ole Wen: Followed the track to the wall, then headed direct (NW) to the start of the crag instead of the path around. I was struggling on this bit compared to Ben & his other three supporters (Luke, Amy & Richard). I was carrying quite a lot and was overheating too which made me sweat and elevate my HR. Near the top I passed two of Ben's water bottles to Richard. I let them go off ahead and said I'll see them at the finish.

POW>Carnedd Dafydd: Remember that Carnedd Dafydd is the third shelter and not the first or second. The third shelter has a track through it.

Carnedd Dafydd>Carnedd Llywelyn: Remember to go right around the craggy/rocky bits in a few areas.

Carnedd Llywelyn>Pen yr Helgi Du: Turn back on myself towards PHD (nor straight on). Ben McG showed me a great line to avoid a craggy section from 9.5km to 9.7km which probably saved ~5mins. Take this. PHD is the first small cairn that you come to after the crag climb and not the knoll afterwards (from OS map).

Pen yr Helgi Du>Pen y Llithrig Wrach:


Pen y Llithrig Wrach>Capel Curig: Ben McG had a great line off the top of this one using an indistinct trod. Easy to find when vis is good but would be hard to see/follow when not.


This took me 4hr 4m last time (1 May with Matt Whipple) so I'm delighted with doing it in 3hr 23m this time.

A few drinks to celebrate my birthday - probably a few too many before my PBR recces!

Watched Lleucu play football at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Welsh Schools U13 Final.

Had intended to do Pilates with Kyla but she was unable to put on the class.

So I did some more wallpaper stripping instead.