Moel Famau GW/NW-044 and Foel Fenlli GW/NW-051 are popular and well-known SOTA summits, consistently commanding prominent positions in the "Most Popular Summits" table as well as on the skyline as one drives westbound down the M56. I have to admit I'd never heard of them before SOTA, but they are now considered 'old friends'.

   

The selection for Sunday 16th May 2010 needed to include a suitable summit for a four hour activation in the 2m Backpackers Contest, and so this was an obvious pairing. Jimmy's mate Edward joined us for the trip, which commenced with another legendary breakfast at the Lymm Truck Stop. Ed particularly enjoyed his initiation!

Jimmy had forgotten to bring the road atlas, but it was unnecessary anyway as he directed me easily to Mold and thence up to Bwlch Penbarras. Two mountain rescue ambulances were in attendance as we arrived, but I wasn't sure whether for an incident or an exercise.

   

After paying and displaying, we commenced up the newly pitched steps and stairways to Foel Fenlli GW/NW-051. This made the going a lot easier - and safer than previous years. The plan at the summit was to activate on handhelds only to collect the points quickly and cheaply. The day was heavily weighted in favour of making a more substantial contribution on the second hill of the day.

All went to plan, and we were soon descending the hill. I decided to pull a fast one, and let Jimmy overtake me and zoom ahead along the fort ramparts for our usual graded descent that avoided the previously steep eroded terrain. With him a suitable distance in front, I quietly and sneakily veered right down the stairway to compare progress.  As it was, I beat Jimmy and Edward (Jedward) to the car park and pressed on up the lower, wider "blue" route to Moel Famau GW/NW-044.  Thanks to the following stations: