The Glyderau (a Welsh plural form, also known in English as the Glyders) are a mountain group in Snowdonia, North Wales. The name derives from the highest peaks in the range, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach. According to Sir Ifor Williams, the word "Glyder" derives from the Welsh word "Cludair", meaning a heap of stones.
Glyder Fawr (1,001m): From Ogwen Cottage to Llyn Idwal, continued on the east bank of llyn Idwal, turned east and ascended onto the 'Sub-Cneifion Rib' the west flank of Y Gribin. This was a new area to me, so explored the areas of 'off trail' ascent onto The Gribin, then made the trail along the very narrow ridgeline of The Gribin. There is really no trail, as it is a scramble over large jumbled rocks. At this point the rain became heavy, and then included hail, so the ground under foot, which was a rock pile, became wet and slippery. The storm was continuous throughout the day, with occasional thunder. The thunder started as I was most of the way up The Gribin, on which turning around was less of an option for an escape route than continuing on. At one point the rain and hail became so heavy I crawled into a cave of sorts in the rocks to wait until it slowed (photo below). Continued on to the eastern edge of the ridge line of "The Nameless CWM" turning west to the summit of Glyder Fawr (1,001m). Continued west, and then north off of the western side of the Glyder Fawr summit, dropping down to Llyn y Cwn (711m) in the col between Glyder Fawr and Y Garn, continuing to drop down through the Devil's Kitchen, returning to Llyn Idwal on the west bank, and then Ogwen Cottage.
