Into the mists of time... Part 1: Fan Llia, Bronze Age Cairn, Fforest Fawr, near Ystradfellte, Powys

PART ONE: Into the mists of time...…. Fan Llia is not the most imposing of mountains, possessing a profile that would not be out of place in, say, The Cwmdeuddwr Hills... or even Pumlumon. However, The Citizen Cairn has learned to rate its prodigious c2 mile bulk - aligned north-south and rising to 2,071ft - highly over many years. Yeah, once punters gain the ridge crest, walking is easy, the views, taking in Fan Nedd/Fan Gyhirych and Y Mynydd Du to the west... and Fan Fawr and Pen-y-Fan/Corn Du (The Brecon Beacons) to the east, excellent. Furthermore, a couple of hundred yards south of the summit is located the substantial footprint of a pretty large Bronze Age cairn (SN9353 1816). This time around, I start from the 'picnic area' at Blaen Llia to the south, the Afon Llia an attractive companion for the initial stages. The ascent of the mountain, foreshortened, looks a doddle... but, unless you are young and fit, do not be deceived.. pace yourself. As I eventually gain the crest, it becomes apparent the fine forecast will be negated by temperature inversion, a driving wind ensuring conditions are challenging. Entering the hill fog, the 'simple' ascent suddenly becomes a serious undertaking... the view of the modern marker surmounting the prehistoric base of the cairn, looming through the swirling vapour, reassuring... Part Two is here. All will be revealed!!!: @    • Let there be light! Fan Llia (Part 2), Ffo...   A shufti at Fan Nedd can be seen here: @    • An ascent of Fan Nedd, Fforest Fawr, near ...   #wales #archaeology #prehistoric #dyfed #bronzeage #mountains #prehistory #hiking #hillwalking