I spent yesterday in the Brecon Beacons. I had planned on viewing Pen y Fan from Pentwyn Reservoir, but had to turn round at Pontsticill as it was too snowy and despite having 4 brand new tyres, it wasn’t worth attempting the hills. Plus I was obviously annoying people in their Chelsea Taxis as they kept tailgating me on the snow – this is perhaps the only time in recent years that having a big 4×4 for the school run is actually beneficial, although most schools are closed…

Anyway, I digress. I had to stick to main roads so Pen y Fan was an obvious choice. After having lunch and helping dig a jaguar (not the cat) out of the snow I set off along the Storey Arms path. My new and very expensive Helly Hansen thermals are absolutely brilliant in this sort of weather and despite it being several degrees below zero, all I needed on top was the base layer and a fleece. Crampons and ice axe were a necessity as the path up to Corn Du is treacherous – mountain rescue have had to pick people off it recently with ankle injuries as it’s so slippery. I stopped for a while to watch snowboarders come down from Corn Du – rather impressive! I reached the top for sunset and once I summited Corn Du, the view took my breath away – it was amazing and well worth the climb and aching limbs that I have today. I spent a while taking photos and getting very cold fingers despite thermal liners and windproof gloves before walking back in the semi-dark. The car temperature dipped as low as -10.5 degrees C on the way home. Anyway, here are a couple of the photos – I have many more but have spent all afternoon stitched the panorama…

Corn Du and Pen y Fan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II)

Click here for a large view of the above panorama.

Corn Du and Pen y Fan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II)