All snow melted on Saturday. On Sat night fresh snow fell and more on Sunday night. Freezing overnight. Forecast for Northerly Winds all day with temp -2 / feels like -16.
Have always ascended via Pen yr Ole wen and used Reservoir as descent route. I was concerned that Resevoir route would be unpleasant in descent and scramble off Llewelyn would be tricky if in poor condition.
Ascended via Resevoir track, met person descending without crampons who said he was unable to get onto ridge. Used axe onto ridge and crampons on ridge. Scramble enjoyable with crampons/axes - would have been unpleasant in descent, as predicted.
Navigated over LLewellyn, deep snow and poor vis off Llewelyn and across to Daffyd, views cleared on Daffyd then poor again traversing to Pen y Ole Wen. Side wind all day except on backs up Pen yr Ole Wen. Wind speed 15mph / Temp -12 with wind chill (using hand held guage on Daffyd).
Gully descent off Pen Y Ole Wen. Heather and large rock scree, cleared before nightfall. Descended into darkness, bog, sheepfolds, streams and and mist back to A5.
Verglass on some rocks, snow a few inches to calf deep between LLewellyn and Daffyd. Navigation using compass bearings and pacing during the day. Clearing to excellent views. Cornices beginning to form.
Simon Clarke - Winter ML Training.
James B - 3 winter walk in crampons.
