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.