Walk 12 - Capel curig, Betws -y- coed and Llyn Crafnant

Date : 16 - 12 - 2012.
Route: A Low level circular of Capel curig, Betws-y-coed and Llyn Crafnant.

Today was my first walk out with Clwyd Mountaineering Club of which I recently became a member. The plan was to meet in the car park behind Joe Browns and from there decide on a walk based on peoples abilities, weather etc.

As the weather today was rubbish and not due to get much better it waas decided that a low lovel walk would be the best option as all of the snow would be loose not alowing good climbing in the gullies. So we down the road and entered the forrest in near the Siabod cafe aand followed this area of the forrest down to the 'Ugly House' where we crossed over the bridge and followed the river down past swallow falls into Betws-y-coed. There were people white water rafting down swallow falls which was enjoyable to watch while we took a break.

From Betws-y-coed we headed up again into the forrest and followed the trail to Llyn Sarnau, Llyn Geirionydd, and onto Llyn Crafnant. With the final little kick up being out of Cwm crafnant towards Capel curig. The walk took aproximatly 6 hours. The estimated distance was approximatly 14 miles with perhaps 800m of ascent as you are climbing and descending for much of the day.

It was a very enjoyable low level walk that i can recommend for any fairly fit person with some great views even in fairly poor weather also being in the forrest you dont tend to get as wet when it rains.

Walk 11 - Moel Siabod

Date: 08 - 12 - 12
Route: Daear Ddu ridge.

Another weekend another walk, Im currently walking with the consistnacy I intended upon starting this blog which is good news. There is still alot of snow around as it has been falling all week. The snow today was very soft but it should be in better condition after the cold weather we are expecting next week.

I decided on this route as although I was again walking alone in winter the Daear ddu ridge offers exposure and difficulty as you want it and with the snowy peaks it would offer an excelent panorama (I was not disappointed). Though as I decribed last time with this walk the opening section is somewhat of a slog untill you are past the farm at which point the gradient eases up.

The area at the bottom of the Daear Ddu ridge was very boggy and saw someone just ahead of me go waist deep into the mud. The ridge itself lower down was in intermittent snowy patches that increased in frequancy as I climbed. until there was a blanket on nearly everything.

The upper reaches of the ridge were fairly difficult and arduous in the knee deep snow that was unconsolidated and made for a slow plod to the summit which the wind had scoured into a large icy football field sized icerink. I donned my crampons at this point and after snapping a few pictures (below) I headed back down towards the farm on the west ridge.

The Glydreau

Foreground : Glyderau, Background: Carneddau

Very icy Trig point

Looking down at the small reservoir at Dolwydellan

View west along summit plateau



Glyderau and Carneddau

Snowdon massif

Walk 10 - The Glyderau

Date: 01 - 12 - 12.
Route : Glyderau from Ogwen cottage.

Well after my walk on thursday up Y Garn I was pumped up for some more snow filled fun, so I headed up onto the Glyderau. My route was a circuit from Ogwen cottage into Cwm Idwal before veering off and heading up towards Llyn Bochlyd. From here I headed for Bwlch Tryfan and asceneded by the would be path that runs alongside Bristly ridge.

The route up was fairly strenuous with alot of fresh snow. The weather was cold with frequant heavy snow showers. When i made the top and headed towards Glyder Fach the cloud was thick making route findidng difficult. Still, I headed toward "Castel of the winds" and onwards towards Glyder Fawr occasionally ending up knee deep in snow as i placed my foot between rocks.

From the top of Glyder Fawr i decended down to "The Devils Kitchen" which would be my decent route and i followed the Idwal trail in a clockwise direction back to Ogwen cottage. All in all it was a fantastic day though i didnt get pictures because well..... you really couldnt see anything.

Hoping to get out again and hoping the snow will still be around.

Walk 9 - Y Garn


Route : Y Garn from Ogwen Cottage.
Date : 29-11-12

Well after some terrible weather and flooding across North Wales it has finally got dryer and colder leaving a good blanket of snow across much of the higher peaks of Snowdonia. After popping into Cotswold Outdoor on Wednesday to pick up a new set of crampons and an ice axe I decided to head up into the Ogwen valley for my first proper winter walk of the season. I decided on Y Garn giving plenty of opportunities to extend the walk as I felt fit. I was once again on my own for this walk.



Y Garn from Cwm Idwal (route followed right hand ridge)

I started by heading up into Cwm Idwal then crossing over the bridge at the outflow of Llyn Idwal heading in an anti-clockwise direction around the cwm. Shortly after I veered right through a gate inthe wall heading up the righthand ridge of Y Garn. The first section is fairly steep compounded with the weight of a full complement of winter gear up rock steps. 



Y Garn from Cwm Clyd (Route follows right hand ridge)

After reaching Cwm Clyd the ridge ahead makes itself very obvious, there was also quite a few people on the gullys as the snow had already consolidated very well making crampons the best option above the snowline. Though people came up behind me without they remarked on how "sketchy" it was in places though I had no such issues. I made fairly good progress and managed to get from Ogwen cottage to the summit in under 2 hours which in winter conditions and my poor state of fitness at current I was fairly happy.


Me on summit of Y Garn

Unfortunatly when I stopped to put my crampons I took of my Oakleys and left them behind only realising near the top. This decided my route down on the hope nobody had lied about having not seen them (though in general I do believe most walkers you bump into would hand them straight over). Though luckily they had been honest and walked straight passed without seeing them, thus giving me a good winter summit in excellent conditions and I found my glasses. I suppose when your luck is in its really in!

I hope you enjoy the report and pictures as much as i enjoyed the walk.



The view down to Cwm Idwal and the Ogwen Valley

Elidir Fawr

The Glyderau

Pen yr Ole Wen and the Carneddau

Snowdon Massif

Pen yr Ole Wen

Walk 8 - Drum and friends.

Date: 18-11-12
Route: Drum, Pen bryn-du, Yr Orsedd, Foel ganol, Foel Dduarth

I set out on this glorious november morning at 9 am from the upper car park at Aber falls (SH676717). The sky was blue and in the sheltered spot there was no wind. I set off up the track towards Drum in just my fleece.

As I made my way up the track I got the low morning sun straight in my eyes at the same time as a cold and brisk SW wind. FortunatlyIi had packed my jacket, hat and gloves so after donning them I was more than toasty. However I had neglected to pick up my sunglasses (There is always something) .

I made good progress and was at the cairn on top of drum by 10.05 having a drink and getting some welsh cakes down me. The cold weather and a little snow the previous night had made the last few hundred metres to the top a little slippery but icy patches were fairly easily avoided. However the wind had picked up making my origional plan of continuing onto Foel Fras and Llwytmor a no go, I just didnt have the kit with me to deal with another 3 hours being blasted by the wind.

So after a couple of photos on the summit and of the snow on Foel Fras (though it was only a sprinkling) I headed back down towards the car.

The view from Drum to a slightly white Foel Fras

Looking from Drum to Foel Fras and Llwytmor.



On the way down I was struck by the idea of going straight over the line of lower peaks straight infront of me. Normally I either dont have the time or the energy to nip over them on the way down but this time I did. They made for a pleasent little addition though not strenuous they added a little extra total height gain and also dont slow your journey time as you cut a straighter line back to the car instead of a lengthy circumnavigation. In order the minor tops were Pen bryn-du, Yr Orsedd, Foel ganol, Foel Dduarth. Though personally I would not bother with the last one as it makes for a very difficult direct descent route through heather and gauze. Instead I reccomend descending from the saddle between Foel Ganol and Foel Dduarth (there are some Welsh Water man holes here so you cannot miss it).

Walk 7 - Tryfan

Date: 11-11-12.
Route: Tryfan North Ridge.

Well its been several months since my last walk, with starting a new job I decided to focus my time and energy on that but now im ready to hit the hills again. I decided with it being my first walk in a long time I would head for the good old faithfull north ridge of Tryfan.

The weather today was cool and foggy though the forcast was for the fog to clear by lunchtime and it did though by this time i was already back at the car. (typical.) There was patches of snow higher up on the mountains from the minor falls earlier in the week. all of which have now vanished with more due this weekend.

Everytime I have done the north ridge I have done a slightly different route up and its always a pure accident. This time was no exception after coming of the main route early on I decided to cut a more direct route up the ridge rejoining the route at the cannon stone.



A misty view from the Cannon Stone.

 I then followed the path again untill i reached the north buttress before veering off to the left and gaining the summit by the north gully route which near the top provides some exciting and exposed scrambling not for the faint hearted as the 2 guys following me up the route realised when I heard a shout behind me asking for the route up a nasty little step. (This highlights a large issue for people inexperianced in the mountains, always ensure you know your route and stick to it. Don't follow other people as you may find yourself in unexpected difficulty). Fortunatly, with a little advice they got over the step and I led them the rest of the way to the top. They carried straight on over, I waited behind and observed a 2 minuite silence between Adam and Eve to remember the service men and women that have been lost in battle. A very different place to reflect than most people have.

I met 2 more guys on the top that had come up from the south-west of england who were there to do the route along the Glyderau. I decended off of Tryfan via the south ridge to Bwlch Tryfan where I left them behind to continue up Bristly ridge. I turned off to head back down to Llyn Bochlwyd and back down to my car.

Anyway im Hoping to get out again next weekend and ill post what goes on with that waslk.

Sam.

Walk 6 - Pen yr ole Wen and Carnedd Dafydd

Date - 14-04-2012

I decided to take a trip to the Ogwen valley today with my route of choice being the scramble up Pen yr ole Wen's eastern ridge which is a nice short scramble with some fantastic views all the way up. From the top of Pen yr ole wen I travelled north along the ridge to Carnedd Dafydd. From the summit I made my way back down the steep scree slopes to Ffynnon Lloer. I cannot recommend this decent as it is incredibly steep and i will most definitely not be doing it a second time.

The route was fairly busy i think due to being school holidays but with patches of snow still o the ground and cloud free summits it was a fantastic days walk with spectacular views over to the Glyderau.

The east ridge of Pen yr ole Wen with Carnedd Dafydd beyond.

Tryfan with the Glyderau behind and Llyn Ogwen.

Looking down Ogwen Valley towards Y Garn.

Glyder Fach and Y Gribin.

Tryfan and Glyder Fach from the upper slopes of Pen yr ole Wen.

Looking over towards Carnedd Dafydd.

Tryfan and the Glyderau from the top of Pen yr ole Wen.

The Idwal slabs and Glyder Fawr.

Summit of Carnedd Dafydd from Pen yr ole Wen.

Looking down the Ogwen Valley toward Pen yr Helgi Ddu

The plateau between Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewlyn with the top of the Black Ladders at the right. 

Walk 5 - Snowdon (Watkin Path)

Date: 18-03-2012

Today I decided on a jaunt to Snowdon on the Watkin path. There had been some snow the previous day and patches were still left above around 800m but it was more of a slush than anything else. Still out of 5 walks this year 3 had been in the snow :)

I left the carpark at Bathenia (SH628506). The Watkin path starts on the opposite side of the road just over the bridge and initially winds up through the forrest before running next to the waterfall. Not far after the waterfall there is a split in the path, I stayed right and headed up towards the Gladstone rock and past the standing slates which are the graves of the miners who used to work on the mountain. As you follow the path round into Cwm Tregalan you get fantastic views up towards Snowdons South Face which is somewhat reminicent of Everest.

After you climb upto Bwlch Ciliau you veer left on the path towards snowdon this is where the going gets slihtly tougher as the ground is a bit slippy underfoot and often slides. It is however fairly short lived and some good route selection will easily see you through it. Though remember this is an accident blackspot!

After you traverse across the south face you meet the main path to the summit that has come up from Bwlch Main and the Rhyd Ddu path, from here you are only around 5 minuites from the summit which today as it often is was very busy.

The Path just after the forrest with the waterfall in the centre.

Looking back downstream from the top of the falls.

The Gladstone Rock. 

the South Face of Snowdon with the summit shrouded in cloud.

Looking back toward Yr Aran.

 

Y lliwedd from the South Face.

Looking up toward the Summit which is just out of view.

The typically over-crowded summit.

All in all this was an enjoyable walk if a bit long spent wandering along a path on my lonesome. I was blessed with generally good weather even got abit of sunburn. 

Walk 4 - Pen yr Heldi du

Date: 10-03-2012

Today I had planned on a walk up from the Ogwyn vally up to Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir before going up the zig zags and making our way over Craig yr Ysfa to Carnedd Llelwyn however due to going with my younger brother who is convienently scared of hights I had to change my plan and instead headed onto Pen yr Helgi du. It was a fairly windy day with alot of cloud cover. I did not manage to get any photos for this walk but will add any which my brother took at a later date.

Walk 3 - Glyders

Date : 05-03-2012

Well after yet another month of only having views of the outdoors i managed to get out into Snowdonia again for my third walk of the year, luckily enough it happened to be the day after snow was depositted across the park. 

At about 9:15 Daz and myself set out from Ogwyn car park and headed up into Cwm Idwal, The plan for the day was to head up to the Devils Kitchen then ascend onto the Glyders for the day before descending down the miners track at the far side of Tryfan. the walk talk a total of aproximitly 6 hours.

The snow was luckily still very soft and easy to walk on without the need for crampons, its depth varied from 3-18 inches depending on how shaded it was from the wind and the drift depth. It made for a great walk it was just a shame visability was so poor and normally the next cairn along was just visible.

Looking back down on Llyn Idwal from the bottom of the Devils Kitchen

Looking Up the actual Devils kitchen the route veers off to the left.

Getting into the snow around half way up the Devils Kitchen.

Looking Back down the Devils Kitchen from the top towards a cloud shrouded Pen yr Ole Wen

Llyn y Cwn on the climb up to Glyder Fawr.

Just a nice little ice formation on some of the rocks near Glyder Fawr.

Looking up towards the top of Glyder Fawr

The Top of Glyder Fawr.

Monentary gad in the clouds looking down towards Pen-y-pass.

Castell y Gwynt (Castle of the Winds) near Glyder Fach

More rock formations near to Glyder Fach.

The Famed Cantilever near the top of Glyder Fach

Daz standing on the Cantilever.

Myself on the Cantilever.

The view down from the top of Glyder Fach.

A fleeting glance at our decent route.

Views along the Glyder ridge toward Capel Curig.

Tryfan Raising its head with The Carneddau behind.

Nearing Llyn Caseg Fraith and the miners track finally below the clouds again

Lookind Down toward Bwlch Tryfan with Tryfan and the Carneddau beyond.

Decending down the top of the miners track in these conditions was "Interesting"

Looking up at Bristly Ridge from Bwlch Tryfan.

Looking over towards Foel Goch and Mynedd Prefydd with Elidir Fawr just in View behimd with possibly the best visibility of the day from Bwlch Tryfan.

Well, this was a most enjoyable walk in slightly unexpected conditions and i hope to get out again soon. I hop you have enjoyed reading and all of the pictures were courtesy of Daz's camera after mine died.