Aran Fawddwy
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Geography
Aran Fawddwy, which is only 9.5 metres (31 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.
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.
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Ascent
Aran Fawddwy is best ascended from Cywarch in the south, although a longer ridge climb is possible from the Bala side. The mountain forms a long rocky ridge with Aran Fawddwy as the highest point, but Aran Benllyn is another notable summit. The eastern side is extremely steep, falling spectacularly in crags to a series of glacial cwms or corries which also enclose two small lakes (Creiglyn Dyfi and Llyn Lliwbran). The western slopes are also rocky, but less steep and more uniform. The view from the summit is extensive, covering most of the mountain ranges of North Wales and as far south as the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire peninsula. On an exceptionally clear day, the Lake District in England and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland are visible.
A cairn is placed on the eastern ridge as a memorial to RAF Mountain Rescue team member Michael Robert Aspain, who was struck and killed by lightning in 1960.