Deep Freeze Wales Part II

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Brecon Beacons Wales snow november 2010

Photo: Frozen Welsh landscape from summit of Pen Y Fan, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales. November 28, 2010

A few more photos from Pen Y Fan and the Brecon Beacons on Sunday.  The last few days have seen the temperature rise to around 0º C with several more snowfalls, but nothing like last week.  Still a very wintry landscape and since they don’t use snow tires (or should I say tyres) here in the UK, they tend to drive like Californians do when it rains; not very well.  Here in the countryside many of the roads don’t get cleared from snow, so it can be a bit difficult to get around.  Almost got stuck up in the mountains on Tuesday on the way back from checking out the waterfalls at Ystradfellte to see if they’ve begun to ice up at all.

Brecon Beacons Wales snow november 2010

Brecon Beacons plane crash november 2010

Photo: Small plane crash in Brecon Beacons near Pen Y Fan

On Friday this plane crashed up on the ridge near Pen Y Fan.  Looks bad but apparently the pilot was able to crawl out and walk away.  Pretty amazing.

Brecon Beacons plane crash november 2010

Deep Freeze Wales

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Winter view from Pen Y Fan over a frozen Welsh Landscape, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

Photo: Dawn view from Pen Y Fan over a frozen Welsh landscape in record setting cold temperatures Sunday, November 28 2010

The Russians have been kind enough to send an express delivery of Siberian wind from the east to the UK.  The results sent temperatures plummeting and brought the earliest widespread winter storms since 1993.  Saturday night saw Wales with the coldest temperature in the UK at -17 degrees Celsius, somewhere towards the left horizon of the above photo, about 20 miles north from Pen Y Fan. However I didn’t know any of this when I thought I would head to the hills for sunrise on Sunday.  All I knew was that clear weather was forecast and hoped for a good sunrise.

So instead of taking shelter in a warm house, I set the alarm for 4:45 am; intent on heading up Pen Y Fan for sunrise.  Waking in the darkness of early Sunday morning I checked the outdoor thermometer, -11.5.  Hmm, better take another jacket today.  I hit the trail a little after 6 am, the dawn glow barely visible above the mountains in the east.  It was eerily silent as I walked through the dark and frozen world, the crunching of snow beneath my feet the only sound.  The wind arrived once I hit the ridge and was exposed to the east.  Brutally cold, and a shock for November in what should normally be the mild weathered UK.  A low bank of clouds in the southeast blocked most the color of the sunrise unfortunately, but the views were still amazing and the air amazingly clear.

Winter view from summit of Pen Y Fan towards Black Mountains in west, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

Photo: View from Pen Y Fan across Brecon Beacons national park towards the Black Mountains in the west

Brecon beacons november UK snow

Photo: Hiker on summit of Corn Du overlooking a frozen landscape

Lofoten Islands Hikes – Justadtinden

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Justadtind lofoten islands

Photo: Justadtinden rises in the distance

Lofoten Islands Mountain Hikes: Justadtinden

Justadtinden (738 meters) is the highest peak on the eastern side of Vestvågøya.  An easy and well worn trail through a scenic mountain landscape makes reaching the summit of Justadtinden a relatively easy hike and a good first introduction to the Lofoten islands.  While the summit itself is rather flat and slightly anticlimactic, the 360º view is still something impressive.  When the sun is out and the winds are calm, I imagine this would be a nice place for a picnic on a summer afternoon.

Photo: Winter view from Stamsundsheia. Justadtinden (738 meters) is flat summit on left, Kangerurtinden (704 meters) on right

Getting There

By Car: From north or south, take the E10 to Leknes.  From Leknes, take the 815 towards Stamsund.  After approximately 4km the road rises to the pass at Hagskaret (Where the large building is).  There are two parking options here on the left side of the road (before the building), one paved, one dirt.

From the parking area, take the dirt road towards the large antenna visible a couple hundred meters to the north.  Keep following the road straight.  After passing the antenna building on the right (don’t turn here), the road will soon end and turn into a hiking trail.  There are several trails that cross back and forth, keep in the general direction of the right (east).

Photo: Mountain landscape near Justadtinden

The Trail
From the start of the trail, the summit of Justadtind is approximately 6km away, with 600 meters of elevation gain.  The first half of the trail gently gains elevation while wandering through low hills and ridges.  The second half of the trail gradually increases in steepness (though still quite a gentle grade) and passes through a section of rocks shortly before the summit.  The rocky outcropping that appears as the highest point in the top.

Photo: View from summit of Justadtinden towards Henningsvaer

Camping

There are numerous suitable places for a tent (mostly dry and mostly flat) along the trail, with access to water generally not too far away.  The summit itself is quite flat and large with plenty of room as well.  Depending on the wind direction, several large rocks could provide some shelter from the weather, but as always, necessary caution should be taking if wishing to camp on an exposed summit.  No water available at the top.

Useful Links

Topo map: Search ‘Justadtinden.’

View from Justadtinden, Vestvagoy, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: View from Justadtinden towards Himmeltindan

Lofoten islands winter

Photo: Justadtinden hidden behind Kangerurtinden in winter

Lofoten Islands Hikes – Reinebringen

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Reinebringen Lofoten islands norway

Photo: Scenic view over Lofoten islands from summit of Reinebringen

Lofoten islands Hikes: Reinebringen

At a modest 448 meters high, Reinebringen is far from one of the highest peaks on the Lofoten islands.  Yet this is more than made up for by the spectacular view provided from the summit.  This view, combined with a relatively short hike and easy access from Reine means that Reinebringen is one of the most popular hikes on Lofoten.  It should definitely be near the top of ones travel plans while visiting the islands.  And if possible, saved for one of those elusive sunny days.

Directions
• By car:  Drive towards Reine. At the corner of the E10 and the turnoff into Reine is a parking area.  Alternatively, on the Å side of Ramsvikstunnelen are several small pullouts along the E10.

• By Bus: Take the bus to Reine.  You can ask the driver to let you off on the side of the E-10, before heading down into the village.

From Reine: walk west (south) along the E10 in the direction of Å.  Take the paved path along the outside of the tunnel (Ramsvikstunnelen).  Where the path is close to connecting back with the E10 on the far side, look for a small trail emerging from the bushes.  In summer it should be fairly simple to locate.

Reinebringen

The Hike

The trail begins as a somewhat muddy path winding its way upwards through low birch forest.  I managed to keep my feet dry wearing only trail runners, but it took a bit of extra care.  Climbing higher up the mountain, the trees begin to thin and and one will come across several short but wet rock steps to negotiate.  Once clear of the forest the trail gradually steepens and alternates between turf (which can be wet/slippery) and rocky sections.  Finally reaching the ridge, many stop here as the view is already quite stunning.  One can continue to the right up the steep rocks and follow the short trail to the last small peak.  Alternatively, one can follow the trail towards the left which continues high up the ridge.  3-4 hours, depending on fitness level, should be adequate for a round trip.

Reineibringen camping lofoten islands

Camping

There are several places along the ridge where a tent can be pitched.  All are completely exposed, so be aware of conditions and any incoming weather.  No water is available near the top, so be sure to bring enough.

Tent camping on Reinebringen mountain peak, Reine, Lofoten islands, Norway

Useful Links

Topo Map: enter ‘Reinebrinen’ in the search box

Lofoten Turlag

Images

Western Isles Scotland Photo Gallery

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Storm over beach, Berneray, Scotland

Photo: Autumn storm passes over Sound of Harris, Berneray, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

SCOTLAND OUTER HEBRIDES PHOTO GALLERY: CLICK HERE

I’ve put up a image gallery from my Scottish islands trip at the end of October.  Photos from Isle of Harris, Isle of Lewis, Berneray, and North Uist.

Scenic Traigh Lar Beach, Isle of Harris

Scenic Traigh Lar Beach, Isle of Harris

First Snow

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I was up hiking on Hay Bluff yesterday and saw the season’s first snow.  Ya, it’s not much, but Hay Bluff is quite low and it’s only the beginning of November. There was more to be seen on the other peaks in the Black Mountains and I heard the west coast of Scotland got a pretty good dumping, too bad I’m not up there at the moment. Hopefully this is a sign of what’s to come in the next months…

Western Isles

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callanish stones, isle of lewis, scotland

Photo: Autumn moonrise, Callanish standing stones, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

I’ve just returned from a week out on the islands of the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.  I took the ferry from Uig on the Isle of Skye out to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris.  Then I traveled north to the Isle of Lewis, which is still part of the same island as Harris, for a couple nights.  After that I took the ferry down to Berneray and traveled the islands of North and South Uist and Benebecula.  Unfortunately, the first two days where the only ones of good weather, the rest of the trip consisted of heavy rain and strong winds. Still managed a few photos here and there…

My last visit to the islands was in 2003, and then I was only on Lewis and without a car, so most of the trip was new territory for me.  As a whole the islands are amazingly scenic, with everything from vast empty white sand beaches to rugged mountains and the worst bog that I’ve ever seen in my life.  I look forward to returning again in the not too distant future.

Traigh Rosamol Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Photo: Dawn light on Traigh Rosamol Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Harris and Lewis

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Photo: Mountains of Isle of Harris rise across the little Minch as seen from Isle of Skye, Scotland

I’m making the 11 hour drive up to Uig, Isle of Skye today, and then catching the ferry out to the Isles of Harris and Lewis.  While I’ve been to Skye numerous times in the past years, my last visit to the Outer Hebrides was in October 2003.  I had intended to go last year at this time, but I ended up elsewhere.  I only have a week, but I’m sure I’ll get my fill of stormy windswept beaches to last me for the next few months.  Hopefully it doesn’t rain the whole time, as it very well could, but it’s a risk worth taking.

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn Waterfall

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Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall

Photo: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall, river Mellte, near Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

The river Mellte near Ystradfellte forms part of  ‘waterfall country’ on the southern parts of the Brecon Beacons national park.  I’ve never spent much time around here as I’d rather head up into the hills or go climbing, but a particularly bleak Autumn day on Monday seemed like a good time to go check things out.  I had seen some smaller waterfalls last week, but these are definitely more impressive.  A couple weeks back there were some heavy rains and flooding.  The high water line was clearly visible on the riverbank, would have been quite a sight to see the falls then.  Hopefully I’ll get down here another time or two as the autumn color progresses.

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall

Maen Llia

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Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

Photo: Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

It’s been on my mind lately to try and make some portrait style photos of some of the standing stones in the Brecon Beacons region.  Last night was my first attempt at this, using a single Nikon SB-800 as an off camera flash and the gigantic Maen Llia stone as my model.  Unfortunately, and what seems to be my luck these last few months, it started raining after about 10 minutes, before the sky was dark enough to really create the photos that I wanted.    Hopefully I can make it back again in the next few weeks and have another try.

Also, if you read my blog by RSS feed, stop by and have a look.  I’ve made a few changes, the biggest of which will be larger images, now up to 950px wide.  Though if your monitor resolution is less than 1200px, it might look a bit funny, sorry…

Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales