Pen y Fan same noun "ban", in its plural form "bannau", is found in the Welsh name for the Brecon Beacons: "Bannau Brycheiniog". There is no one standard translation of "Pen y Fan", but 'the mountain's peak' or 'the beacon's summit' are both possible translations. Pen y Fan is formed from various units of the Old Red Sandstone which were laid down during the Devonian period. The lower slopes of the mountain are formed from the sandstones and mudstones of the Senni Formation whilst the upper slopes are formed from those of the Brownstones Formation. The very summit, like that of neighbouring Corn
Pen-y-Gwryd was developing in North Wales. In May 1898 "The Climbers Club" originated at Pen-y-Gwryd, as it is recorded in its first journal "...its natural birth at Pen-y-Gwryd" and "...its congenial atmosphere... ("The Climbers Club") first struck its roots". The "Climbers Club" is now based at "Helyg" on the A5 between Capel Curig and Ogwen Cottage. In 1870 the "Society of Welsh Rabbits" (c.1865) was founded with the objective of exploring Snowdonia in winter (and as close to Christmas as possible). Ann Owen said in 1895 that the society had written an article "praising Pen-y-Gwryd as an excellent resort at Christmas".