14-16 November 2025 – Bryn Hafod hut, Aran Mountains
This was our first club visit for some time to The Mountain Club’s remote Bryn Hafod Hut, tucked away near Dinas Mawddwy, in Snowdonia. Unfortunately this happened to also be the weekend of Storm Claudia, with a forecast of high winds and heavy rain – our mountaineers were not to be deterred by this.
Friday
Andy, Dan and Dave C were the advance guard, arriving lunchtime ahead of the storm. They strolled down to Dinas Mawddwy hoping for a quick pub lunch, only to discover that there was only the local café open. All was not lost – food was lovely. Other members arrived through the course of the evening having battled through the weather along the way.
Saturday
Sophie took herself off early as usual to run over Bryn y Gribin and Glasgwm.
Adam, Charlotte and Stacey hiked from the hut via Glasgwm, Pen y Brynfforchog and Y Gribin before descending back into the valley.
Dan, Andy, Dave, Sarah and Michelle took on a counter-clockwise Aran loop encompassing Waun Goch, Drysgol and Aran Fawddwy.
Adam and Charolotte also braved another hike via Pen yr Allt uchaf and Waun Goch.
Thank you to Sophie for a delicious evening meal at the hut.
Sunday
Sarah ventured out solo via Glasgwm and Pen y Brynfforchog then back to the hut.
Sophie’s little 17km run today took her via Waun Camddwr, Aran Fawddwy and Aran Benllyn before heading back to the hut.
Gill and Loz took hiked from the hut via Aran Fawddwy and Drysgol summits before returning to the hut. They climbed up behind the hut, crossing the stream a couple of times, onto a rocky saddle and headed right towards Aran Fawddwy. It was a very nice circular hike that included Drysgol summit as well and an impressive memorial to a mountain rescue team member who died when he was struck by lightning on the same spot that they installed the memorial. They had a nice chat with Stacey over the radio from the top, both on our respective summits.
Stacey, Frances and Michelle tackled Rhobell Fawr from Rhydymain.
Back at the hut all met up for one last piece of Gill & Mary’s birthday cake and then all left for home.
Great trip and some quality climbs. And some extensive abseil practise!