Mentoring Plus Climb Sugarloaf

It is always refreshing to meet new people and to spend time with them in a shared activity.

I was on my way to Llangattock YHA to meet a group of ladies on a weekend of activities to raise valuable funds for, and to increase awareness of, Bath Mentoring Plus, a charity that gives valuable support to an ever increasing number of vulnerable children and young people. It makes me ask the question, “Why have we, as a society, got so many vulnerable people?” Have we always had proportionally as many vulnerable people, or are we more aware and caring? Is society expected to fill the void left by diminishing government support? Whatever the answers are, meeting these ladies highlighted for me the value of the work they do.

IMG_3742During the course of the weekend they were, in the beautiful surroundings of Llangattock YHA, having yoga classes, art classes, mindfulness sessions and walking in the Black Mountains. That is where I come in. Driving up the driveway to the former farmhouse my way is blocked by two resting bullocks and a pair of inquisitive Shetland ponies. The bullocks I found easy to negotiate my car around but the ponies proved more difficult as they scrutinised me and my car for food. Making sure I did not hit them with my wing mirrors, I reached safety on the other side of the cattle grid, where I met up with Stephanie who had organised the weekend.

While some of the ladies were going to walk along the Monmouth to Brecon Canal towpath, six were joining me for a walk up and around Sugarloaf.

Most people who climb Sugarloaf tend to do a quick up and down. It is a hill that can easily be climbed and descended in a little over an hour, particularly from the car park at Mynnydd Llanwenarth, which is where we were starting out from. However, I had not planned a quick up and down, I wanted to give the ladies a much bigger picture, an opportunity to see Sugarloaf change shape as we walked round it’s southern and Easter flanks, to walk the long ridge west from the summit with expansive views of the Black Mountains and the Usk Valley leading us towards the Brecon Beacons.

IMG_3743It was an overcast morning as we set off from the car park and there was a stiff breeze, with a chilling effect, coming in from the north east. I lived in hope that the cloud would clear and that we would get the views I had hoped for. My optimism failed me. There were occasional breaks in the cloud but there was a constant heavy haze that limited, not only the quality of our views but also the extent. The northern hills disappeared into a gloom, as did the Brecon Beacons. Only to the east did the views improve.

Whilst it would have been rewarding to get the views, it did not detract from the enjoyment. It could have been a lot worse.

IMG_3745Having traversed along the southern flanks we headed north along the fringes of Parc Wood, from where the summit has a distinctive conical look about it. Having reached the northern end of this beautiful oak woodland, we began the steep climb up to the summit, rejoining the crowds that had taken the more direct route. The group performed well and the climb did not take long. Summit photos taken in the strong breeze, we headed along the ridge of Mynydd Pen-y-fal, stopping for lunch in a reasonably sheltered spot along the way. At the end of the ridge we followed the wall round, all the way back to the car park.

We had been out for about three and a half hours and covered a little over six miles. But the ladies were not finished yet. On the way up they had noticed the Sugarloaf Vineyard and thought it would be against their nature to forego the opportunity to have a little taste. It was a first for me and, although I didn’t succumb to wine tasting (I am a responsible driver), I might be tempted back on another occasion.

Back at the hostel the other half of the group were focused on doing some art work, so, after a quick cup of tea and a piece of cake, I left them to it.

I thoroughly enjoyed guiding the ladies over and around Sugarloaf, admire their commitment to Mentoring Plus and hope to be able to support them in the future.

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