 Poster: A snowHead
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Cheers all
| matt_fitt@hotmail.com wrote: |
Mike - Saw the same ponies (I think) when I was on my way back down on Sunday. Was wondering where they sleep and what they do for food when the snow is like it was earlier this year.
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They're out in all weather. Use their hooves to dig down into the snow. Or roam to lower lying areas.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Mike Pow, shame about the rain but they are amazing photos.
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Mike Pow, Shame 
From the posts above, it sounds like the walk up is around an hour ?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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That's how long it takes me in ski boots david
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Definitely. Skiing in the Beacons is all about timing.
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Hey Mike,
I met you up on the summit of Pen y Fan on Monday. My night spent in my tent on the summit was far from peaceful. I had the tent piched on the plateau just south of the summit cairn, in the lee of the wind, and thought I was in for a peaceful night. But overnight the wind direction changed from NE to SE, exposing my tent to savage prevailing winds in excess of 50mph. Despite being in a fully guyed out MH Trango 2 the deformation of the tent was severe, especially as I had it pitched side on to the winds. This continued into the morning and so I decided to make a hasty retreat off the mountain at about 8am in thick fog and gales that nearly blew me off my feet. That was only after I had 'dug out' my frozen boots from a covering of spindrift inside my vestibule. Glad I did leave at that time as on the drive back to Cardiff it was snowing quite heavilly, even in Cardiff! I'm guessing there were blizzards up on the peaks later that morning?
Earlier that night though, while it was still calm, I had a walk about the summit and enjoyed some marvellous views of the moon and stars, and a 360 view of twinkling orange lights of the villages down in the valleys below. It was an amazing sight.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=201318&id=510590995&l=568408a629
Judging by your recent photos it looks like the snow has been melting away since Monday. Such a shame, as the mountains looked a treat under that blanket of snow. Good thing I managed to get up there when I did as I can't see the snows returning again this season. But hopefully I will be proved wrong!
Scott
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I haven't posted much, but I'm enjoying following this thread immensely. thank you for the pix and accounts. Hopefully you will have another day or two before spring arrives properly. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
| That's how long it takes me in ski boots david |
It's a 2.5hr drive for me from Shropshire so I'm trying to get an idea of timings. Even if it takes me a tad longer on the walk, it sounds do-able if we get some more snow.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Thanks easiski. I hope so too.
I'll keep you updated David 
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Mike Pow, Just checking the height of the car park on Google Maps - 450m or so. That's equal to the top of the pitch I was skiing in January 
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You know it makes sense.
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FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY THROUGH TO MONDAY 01 MARCH 2010
Happy St David's Day to one and all.
All the goodness has been washed / melted away. Again.
Glorious morning here in Aberdare. Light frost, sunshine and not a cloud in the sky.
Things look promising for the end of the week:
Met Office: Brecon Beacons
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/brecon/brecon_latest_pressure.html
| Quote: |
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. Outbreaks of rain, with snow at higher levels, is likely to spread from the west during the day, with patches of hill fog developing, and with moderate visibility beneath. Moderate to fresh winds from the southeast and freezing levels around the peaks.
Thursday
Remaining cloudy, with outbreaks of rain at times. This will again fall as sleet or snow over the higher levels. Visibility is likely to be moderate or poor with winds strengthening from the northeast. The freezing level is expected to lower to around 700 metres.
Friday
After some bright or sunny spells an area of rain, sleet and hill snow may spread from the north later, with some significant snow accumulations possible, particularly over the peaks and summits. Winds should strengthen from the northeast, bringing lower temperatures and a risk of severe wind chill. The freezing level is expected to be only around 500 - 600 metres.
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Could be the 5th consecutive month of turns in the Beacons this winter 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The reflection in the water on the last few is just amazing. What a great way to spend St Davids Day.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well that answered my question on The Book, Scott.
Great pics.
Surprised there's still that much up there. One decent dump and it's back on
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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What a difference a week makes!
The photos of the lakes were taken at Lower Neuadd and Pontsticill Reservoirs, the latter being a couple of miles down the road from the start of the walk. It is indeed a very photogenic spot on a cloudless day like yesterday.
I am really hoping that the forecast of another cold snap towards the weekend is accurate as I'm planning another camping trip up there for Sunday night. A good covering of snow really transforms this small range of mountains. The latest from the Met office is hinting towards a dumping on Friday, turning drier and brighter over the weekend. Hopefully high pressure will be firmly in charge by Sunday. I could do without a repeat of my last camping trip which was plagued by persistent hill fog and gales. I don't think my tent can take any more savagery!
Fingers crossed.
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Great stuff guys.
Planning to do the horseshoe walk on Saturday or Sunday - depending on weather. Hoping for some snow.
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Tomorrow looks like being the clear day for some awesome views and pictures.
Here's hoping.
Looks like the snow is gone for another 9 months.
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I'm off camping in the wilds of Mynydd Du tomorrow for a couple of nights. Weather looks promising with high pressure set to stay, but it's
going to be very cold up high with a bitter easterly wind.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| nigelpm wrote: |
Tomorrow looks like being the clear day for some awesome views and pictures.
Here's hoping.
Looks like the snow is gone for another 9 months. |
Patience is a virtue
Acquire it if you can
It's seldom found in women
and never found in this man 
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he he. Well Couldn't quite believe how much snow was still up there today.
Back from walking the horseshoe - all 14 miles in total including some quite hairy moments trying to scramble up rock faces.
Stunning day but the longer distance views weren't quite as good as expected. Still wonderful though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Enough to make turns?
Pics?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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just to be clear - having been up to Corn Ddu yesterday- there is no skiable snow on the Beacons any more - still a great place to be though.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks both.
It'll come
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010 THROUGH TO THURSDAY 01 APRIL 2010
March came in like a lamb, but went out like a lion.
Cold, dry, sunny days made way for milder temperatures and torrential rain. The normal Welsh winter.
But late March / early April often offers up quick, dramatic winter storms and this year was no exception.
Derek had called it weeks ago and come the 29th colder temperatures returned and the rain slowly shifted to sleet and then snow on the higher ground.
The hope had been to let the snow accumulate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and for me to get up there on Wednesday afternoon, the last day of March, to log 5 consecutive months of skiing in The Beacons.
Unfortunately commitments at home kept me from the mountains on Wednesday and Thursday and all I could do was sit and watch the storms roll in, changing from rain to sleet to snow and back again.
FRIDAY 02 APRIL 2010
After a tumultuous night, this morning broke calmer, grey and damp. There was still snow on the hills around my home, so after getting my Dad set up in front of the Super 14 rugby double header on Sky I set off into the gloom.
By the time I got to Penderyn the drizzle had become a drizzle sleet mix, and when I parked up in the Toilets car park the intensity had picked up coupled with a wind to rival Patagonia.
But the snowline was at the bridge and it looked like I could pick my way back later.
After a couple of days teaching in the rain in Niseko my first two winters there, when I went out on my own last winter I told my clients that if it was raining I wasn't teaching.
And yet here I was heading up in the freezing rain. Needs must.
A third of the way up I met Telegenic, and his dog Loki, from the dark snow forum heading down. He'd driven over from Bristol and was contemplating going back up with me but discretion was definitely the better part of valour this time.
Telegenic doing his best Strider / Vigo impression heading home to brews and a barbecue. Wise move
I passed his tracks heading up and at first I thought they were skin tracks. I later worked out that he'd pretty much straightlined it from Bwlch Duwynt!
After taking Telegenic's pic the camera stayed in the bag, which meant I got to the Bwlch Duwynt saddle in 30 mins. At this altitude it was more snow than rain, with around 50-60cm depth in places.
I'd anticipated heading over to Pen-y-Fan, but the wind howling over the saddle nearly knocked me on my back bottom. By far the windiest I've experienced up there.
Turned tail, and then clicked in ready for the descent. But not before chatting with a father and daughter from south of Sydney, Australia who were on a 4-week walking tour of Britain. They were dressed for the weather, but they certainly hadn't expected conditions like this during British Summer Time.
Passed a number of families and groups out walking on the way down. Despite the weather, the path was busy.
The snow was slow, but very skiable and I managed to pick my way back to the bridge. Didn't fancy walking out.
There's been as much rain as snow during this storm. If the temperatures were closer to those of January, there would be 1.5 to 2m up there. Bloody Gulf Stream.
As is the case, this afternoon has been sunny and clear and tomorrow morning promises to be the same.
Good Friday?
Even with the rain, the wind and being soaked through a Great Friday.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 3-04-10 11:44; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mike Pow, what an inspiring report! True grit. That picture is a classic. All those names are very nostalgic for me. I grew up in Cardiff and used to go up the Beacons walking with my dad, brewing up on his primus stove, usually crouched behind a low stone wall, like a sheep, out of the wind in the hope of a cup of tea.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Mike Pow, Good work. I was hopeful for Wednesday when the BBC weather suggested the snow line would be about 250m. We had some snow on the ground in the morning, but it was gone by the afternoon.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mike Pow, Fantastic photo.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks all.
Pam w and Shimmy Alcott
Thanks for the props on the pic. New post-production technique in photoshop I've been working on
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 5-04-10 18:18; edited 1 time in total
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Mike Pow, good work!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I have loved this season long trip report - so well documented 
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Mike Pow thanks for sharing all that; such a great complement to some of those gnarly glacier reports, wonderful as they are too. I haven't been to the Beacons for ages, as we have no family members left down there now; your reports have made me want to get up there again.
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FAQ
In the end.
Nice photos though.
