Present: Ian McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Alan (L) Jones, Pete Walker, Trish Cranston, Brian Taylor and Christine Beeston.

A round of the hills from Arenig Fawr was the plan, but the forecast was poor and PW had reported days of torrential rain in Wales. A blast of sun at Queensferry was tempting, but wasn't to last. The dry summer had really drawn down Llyn Celyn, and it was now been refilled by the white water in the rarely seen watercourse at its head, as well as the rain lashing down. The only question was how long to wait at the start of the walk for cars before heading for Bala! Most inhospitable with a wet gale blowing and the hills all but invisible, but we had a total of 8 sitting in cars. Signs of unrest in the ranks prompted a hurried scan of the map for Plan B whilst depositing car transport at the end of the walk. With no argument in the ranks, plan B was executed - a circumnavigation of Arenig Fawr over largely trackless terrain (despite the marking of paths on the map). Once committed to the open ground East of Llyn Arenig, a horizontal hailstorm and rumbles of thunder from the big Arenig confirmed the decision to keep off the hill!

There then followed some interesting navigation through moor and farmland over forgotten paths, even though there were plenty of footpath signs. Some delicate bog hopping got us onto the bridleway through the Coed Gorderw Forest, though no horse had been this way for some time! The troops battled their way through the 'trenches', with PW fighting off Trench Foot while continuing a Welsh survey of mobile phone reception. The company pushed their way into the pines for some relative shelter for lunch. After lunch an impassable river crossing triggered an off path diversion (also a short cut) - as most of the company had not done the long jump in a while. Up the Afon Erwent, we went, Lorna graciously offering Ian assistance over the ramshackle fences. After some extremely soft going over the col to the West of Arenig Fawr, we picked up a good honest track and made good time. Unfortunately at an old farmhouse, the leader had to force a disbelieving party back into the deep untracked rushes to pick up the old railway track that led back to the deposited car.

Actually, it did not turn out to be that bad a day, the lowest point being the exit from the car, as there were only a few short showers in the rest of the day. Even a glimpse of Sun. Look out for Wild Wales Walk part 2 next year - hoping there won't be another 'W'!

This is a Sunday only meet taking in some less well-known hills in Wales with good views over Snowdonia and mid-wales. But it's not a tame walk! There is some rough going. The best hills are outside the park.

You will need the OS 1:50000 map 124 (Dolgellau) or 125 (Bala) for the first part of the walk. You will also need a headtorch because you will finish in the dark! Drive to Bala and take the A4212 out of town - it is easier to find the start turning off left opposite the B4391. Meet at GR844396. After electricity pylons march across the road, at the head of the next rise, a track drops in from the right. There is limited parking for ~6 cars on the roadside, so please share cars as much as possible. This is the starting point but I hope to organise the drop off of cars. Aim to be here for a 10am start prompt (I mean it!). It takes about 1hr 40min from the start of the M56 in Manchester to here (if you don't get stuck behind a truck).

Distance: about 12miles or 14 if we have to return back along the road, and ~950m total ascent.

Route: Llyn Arenig Fawr, Arenig Fawr, Col at 816354 (late joiners can pick up the route here, or wimps leave), Moel Llyfnant, no path now, forest at 796349 (possible exit), the going gets wilder, Foel Boeth, Moel-y Slates, and return along the old railway track (easy) to the road 2 miles from starting point.

I would be grateful if you let me know if you are coming and how many cars there are. I should be in the Pub beforehand when I hope to organise some car shuffling (to your benefit as you won't need to walk along the road). If a driver or two can arrive early, we can place a car, or two, at the end of the walk to return the drivers to their vehicles at the end.