SR: Wales 2011 / 12

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  Thread Started By:   Mike Pow   On:   Monday 17/10/2011 @ 09:26 Show Newest First    
Mike Pow
Posts: 1129
Mid Glamorgan
  #16  Re: SR: Wales 2011 / 12  Posted 30/12/2011 @ 21:47
In reply to post #15 ...
MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 2011

After a day of rain in Cardiff I drove up to the Storey Arms to see where the freezing level was and how much damage a day of rain had done to the snowpack.

It had rained until 4pm and rained hard. And washed away a significant amount of snow on the Cefn Crew side.

The cloud line was around 600m so it was anyone's guess whether it had rained or snowed up high.



TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2011

Ever the optimist I set off before daybreak to see what was left up high.

After a damp and miserable solo stroll to the summit of Pen-y-Fan I saw...next to nothing.

Looked like a fair bit of snow left on the NE Face, but not enough and not enough visibility to warrant dropping in.

I turned tail, and clicked in on the remaining snow on the Cefn Crew side. The path compacted by hundreds of walkers had spring piste like qualities and ran from Bwlch Duwynt 2/3 of the way back to the bridge.

3...2...1...dropping





What was left downslope on Cefn Crew





The White Ribbon of Death above me





The White Ribbon of Death below me





The piste bashers can be put away for another year





The clouds cleared on my way back to Cardiff and my decision not to attempt the NE Face of Pen-y-Fan was justified.

Cribyn and Pen-y-Fan from the A40





So just four days skiing the Brecon Beacons National Park in 2011. But four days I will remember for the turns made with friends old and new.

Here's hoping that 2012 brings some serious snowfall to S Wales and Chris, AndAnotherThing, Alwyn and Hayduke can get to make turns on Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big.
MIKE RICHARDS
Passing on the Passion for Powder since 2002
CSIA (Canada) Level 2 Ski Instructor
PSIA (United States) Level 2 Ski Instructor
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 - Ski Operations
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Mike Pow
Posts: 1129
Mid Glamorgan
  #17  Re: SR: Wales 2011 / 12  Posted 15/05/2012 @ 09:37
Revision #1 (Last edited: 15/05/2012 @ 09:37)
In reply to post #16 ...
British Summer Time here in S Wales, not that you'd know it this morning.

The temperature plummeted overnight and a biting wind and fequent downpours accompanied me on my morning walk earlier.

The Met Office is calling for wintry showers in the Brecon Beacons today and below freezing temperatures overnight

QUOTE (Mike Pow - 30/12/2011 @ 21:47)

TUESDAY 15 MAY 2012

Weather
A bright day, with plenty of sunshine and a few showers. Showers may turn to sleet or snow above around 600 metres in the morning, becoming confined to the summits later in the day. Showers will ease through the afternoon, and becoming largely dry by evening. It will feel cool in fresh northwesterly winds.

Visibility
Generally excellent, although good in any showers and moderate or poor in any sleet or snow.

Hill fog
Occasional patches around the summits, mainly in the morning associated with showers.

Maximum winds above 400m
Northwesterly 40 mph.

Temperature
Valleys Plus 4 Celsius rising to plus 13 Celsius.
800 m Plus 1 Celsius rising to plus 4 Celsius.
Freezing level 700 metres rising to 1000 metres.

May turns for the first time in the Brecon Beacons for me could be on at daybreak tomorrow.

Fingers crossed.
MIKE RICHARDS
Passing on the Passion for Powder since 2002
CSIA (Canada) Level 2 Ski Instructor
PSIA (United States) Level 2 Ski Instructor
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 - Ski Operations
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Mike Pow
Posts: 1129
Mid Glamorgan
  #18  Re: SR: Wales 2011 / 12  Posted 16/05/2012 @ 15:01
In reply to post #17 ...
Denied

Only a dusting and didn't stick around for long.
MIKE RICHARDS
Passing on the Passion for Powder since 2002
CSIA (Canada) Level 2 Ski Instructor
PSIA (United States) Level 2 Ski Instructor
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 - Ski Operations
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