Members present: Virginia Castick, Roger Dyke, Bob Haynes, Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Phil Ramsbottom, Derek Seddon, Chris Thickett, Peter Walker, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Keith Williams.

Guests: Cathy Sanders.

Walkers 13 Climbers 0

Roger and Cathy were first to arrive at our starting point in Llangollen close to the Ponsonby Arms. Derek arrived just in time for the start after touring part of North Wales on the way. Under a cloudy sky we set off for Dinas Bran Castle. Quite a steep climb but well worth it for the view. After dropping down from the Castle we made for the limestone escarpment and the Offa's Dyke path. On the way we were joined by the campers, Virginia, Frank and Margaret. Once up on the edge we headed north along a permissive path stopping for a drink next to the Eglwyseg plantation on our way. Near Rock Farm we followed a stream down the cwm to the main path. Here we had expected to see climbers on the cliffs but there none to be seen.

There was now rain in the air and by the time we reached World's end where we stopped for lunch there had been some very heavy showers (as forecast). After ascending the track up from Ty Canol the party split up. Peter, Frank and Margaret made their own way back to Llangollen while the rest of us followed the track up to the Horseshoe Pass and the Ponderosa Café. A busy place. After a very welcome drink we climbed the ridge onto Moel y Felin and then onto Moel y Gamelin.

By this time it was fine and sunny. On the top we stoped for a drink and to admire the fine views of the Berwyns and the hills of the Clwydian Range. From the summit we descended the hillside and past the spoil heaps of the Berwyn quarry in a south easterly direction until we reached the southern end of the ridge. The descent to the valley below was steep. People chose their own ways down the hillside and routes back to Llangollen but everyone apart from Roger and Cathy who stopped to view the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey arrived back at the Ponsonby Arms by 6pm.

(Distance about 15 miles)

Thank you all for your support. Pity about the climbing!

Walk - Iain McCallum

Start/finish: Car park on the left of the road (A539) as you approach Llangollen, by the river just before the town bridge ( GR. 218421).

Route: Llangollen - Dinas Bran Castle - Edges above Trevor Rocks and Eglwseg Mountain - Bryn Goleu - Offa's Dyke Path - Craig Arthur - World's End - Horseshoe Pass - Moel y Gamelin - Pillar of Eliseg - Vale Crucis Abbey - Canal Towpath - Llangollen. Distance 13/14 miles.

Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am. start Maps OS Explorer 255 Llangollen & Berwyn, 264 Denbigh and/or OS Landranger 116 Denbigh & Colwyn Bay area, 117 Chester & Wrexham.

Climbing - Sheena Hendrie

The initial suggestion for the climbing venue on this meet was Craig Arthur. However, since the majority of grades at Craig Arthur itself are beyond the reach of ordinary mortals, I think we need an alternative venue.

I've had a look at the guide book with the aim of providing something to interest people climbing across a range of grades. That is not easy to find on one crag, nor is parking in the middle of the valley straightforward - so I have a compromise. I suggest we start at Pinfold South Buttress (GR 222453) until lunchtime (1230-1300) when the walkers can join us. Then, depending on interest and group wishes, we can move to one of the other crags further north - Pinfold North Buttress, Twighlight Gully area, or Worlds End. For those looking for a choice of grades, Worlds End looks the best bet but my recollection is that routes there are polished?

Car parking for Pinfold South is in the Rock Farm area (layby on right of road travelling north). For Worlds End its uphill from the ford (450m) in a layby on the left. Anywhere in between is problematic - there is space for about two cars beneath the Twighlight area. Worlds End in particular has had a reputation for car thefts - I've not had a problem on occasional visits but you have been warned.

If you climb in the valley that day, you can have a tick even if your visit to a particular crag does not coincide with that of the meet leader! Let me know what you do - but I hope the plan above meets with general concensus. Hope to see you on the day.

PS If its wet, I'll join the walk - hope you do the same.