Aran Fawddwy, which is only 9 metres (30 ft) short of being a member of the Welsh 3000s, is the highest peak in the Aran mountain range and the 16th highest summit in Wales. The other two Marilyns in this range are Glasgwm and Esgeiriau Gwynion.[4] It is the highest British mountain south of Snowdon and is the principal summit of the predominant southwest-northeast ridge between Dolgellau and Bala, southern Snowdonia, a ridge that continues westwards as Cadair Idris.
A long day (9+hours, 25km and over 1400m of ascent) circuiting the Arans from Pen yr Allt Urchaf to Glasgwm on want felt very much like the first day of spring. Taking the main summit ridge on the route out and moving off the paths to make a back way onto the saddle with Glasgwm on the return, elective return in the dark for extra navigational challenge (and because the daylight still isn't/wasn't quite long enough). A new area for me and all new summits, one of my favourite and most unexpected days I've had in Wales to date.
