Routing and ridging in Snowdonia

With Adam's ML assessment in a few weeks and having just booked my MIA training, we headed down to Wales for a bit of a navigation refresher. The weather was looking unsettled with low cloud and showers forecast, perfect for our aims. Of course the rack and ropes were chucked into the van as well.

Adam testing his trousers on the Cannon

Low cloud covered the upper sections of the Tryfan, as the North Ridge loomed above, we picked our way up the ridge keeping as direct as possible. The cloud lifted as we climbed higher and enveloped us on the summit with a quick step across Adam and Eve, we descended in a heavy shower to the col and bottom of Bristly Ridge.

Adam jumping onto Eve

A wet and eerie scramble followed, weaving through the pinnacles of the ridge with cloud blowing around us. It was Adams first experiences of Welsh scrambling and rather than continuing across the popular Glyders, we headed East to Y Foel Goch pacing and timing legs across the boggy undulating ground.

Leading the way up Bristly Ridge

Following a swift walk along the valley to up the energy levels at the van, we swapped our map and compass for rack and ropes. We made short work up the Direct Route of Milestone Buttress requiring precise footwork on the glassy holds. A beauty sunset and red sky over Llyn Ogwen was promising sunshine the following day.

Sunset over Llyn Ogwen

It was quite like the previous evening had predicted, but the blanket cloud base at 600m was perfect for us, as long as it didn't rain. A buffeting wind made walking strenuous as we approached the top of Pen Yr Ole Wen. We headed across the Carneddau, Adam hoping to catch a glimpse of the ponies, however the 10m visibility had different ideas. Bearings, timing and pacing were the order of the day as we covered ground to Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen and Foel Grach. The conditions were spot on for us, the rain held off and the only moisture was from walking in the clouds all day. No ponies for us though, the nearest we got was several piles of poo.

Descending off Carnedd Llewelyn

We awoke to a blue sky and sunshine after a few beers at Plas-y-Brenin and a top lecture from Adam Harmer on his paddling trip to Peru. Achey knees and sun lead us to the conclusion that little learning would take place in the hills in comparison to the previous day. So back to Ogwen, and the hordes on Idwal Slabs. Adam had only done 2 multipitch climbs before, but cruised up the pitches of Tennis Shoe, as we finished the 6 pitch route a couple hours later. The sun was beginning to come round onto the slabs and my skin was feeling it, it's always sunny on a dodgy forecast when I forget to take sun cream. We were lucky not having to queue as we continued up the popular Lazurus with a brilliant second pitch to top off a cracking few days in the mountains again. I better leave my sun cream at home more often.