SlopeSoaringWales: The Bwlch

Summary

Part of the Bwlch - an amazing Flying Panorama encompassing all wind directions and one of the best flying sites in the UK. The site can be found on the A4061 at the end of the Ogmore Valley in South Wales, with Mickeys making up the West, South West and West South West portion of the Panorama.

Home to the South Wales Soaring Association for many years and also host of many F3F competitions, Mickeys comes into its own in a SW / WSW and Westerly with 900 foot slope dropping down into the valley housing Nant y Moel. This is a huge slope supporting staggering lift even on a light wind day. On a huge wind day, the faint hearted may want to watch from the side-lines as the big boys throw lead by the church roof load into their F3F carbon racehorses and fly with world record nearing speeds.
As a beginner at F3F, this flyer still loves the adrenaline rush such a slope offers - but with dreams closer to flying fast and landing in one piece than breaking records. Another slope that is prone to huge thermals sending gliders from foamy's to 4 kilo ballasted F3F thoroughbreds thousands of feet in the air.

Spread across almost a mile, Mickeys supports SW winds on the first section moving towards the area known as Mickeys West. The two areas are distinct in their feel for lift and landing areas and will split into two sections below.

Location

Situated on the A4061, known on maps as Bwlch-y-Clwdd Road, the Bwlch Site is situated a ten minutes drive from the village of NantyMoel when approaching from the ogmore valley (Bridgend) side and an equal distance from the village of Treorchy when approaching from the Northeast side.
Mickeys Slope on Google Maps

Parking is on the 4061 in the area that gives the Bwlch Ice Cream Slope its name, a layby above Treorchy that is usually occupied by an ice cream van, tourist's with cameras, and more than a few sheep.
Parking for a few cars is also available right next to the forestry access road that winds its way up towards Mickey's. Don't park in front of the barrier as access is needed at all times for the forestry commission and emergency services.

Details

Attribute	Information
Height(m)	900 feet
Directions	SW, WSW, W
SatnNav N/E	51.639341, -3.533174
SatnNav Road	Bwlch-Y-Clawdd Road, UK

Mickeys
Rotor	Anything over about 10mph its best to land in the field behind the road.
Landing	Very good in the field behind the road. Far back and left can be boggy
Accessibility	Relatively stiff walk up from the car but only 15 or so minutes to the SW part. Follow the forestry track through the gate - up and around the top to the left, cross the cattle grid and pick your spot for best wind direction.
Paragliding	Home to the NantyMoel club. - can be high volume - if wind speed < 12mph. (Communicate!)
Wildlife	Sheep Birds of prey - Buzzards, Red Kites, Peregrine Falcons
F3F	Home to many competitions including Welsh Winter League. Location depends on exact wind position - generally varies between the cattle grid area (overlooking the forest) to the section of mountain 200m further west. This area is 100m east of where the paragliders take off and land (in sub 15mph winds)
Other	Staggering site - but prone to "Welsh Weather" Clag on damp low cloud days. Have a gander at the webcam to check out the clag situation and other weather information if in doubt NantyMoel Weather Station and webcam
Mickeys West
Rotor	The top of the Western Hill is rounded, smooth and usually Rotor free. Drop back further in V. high wind Landing
Landing	Easy landing. A few old rusted girders on the far left of the western slope. Accessibility
Accessibility	Relatively long walk up from the car, about 10 to 15 minutes on past the SW part of the slope. Easy walking though from Mickeys onwards towards the more western part.
Paragliding	As above.