Moel Siabod via Daear Ddu Ridge, descend via Main Ridge Sat 18/04/2015
Route
Start from Siabod Café, cross road and head towards Pont Cyfyng bridge then ascend path towards Llyn Foel and Daear Ridge, Demonstrated a series of scrambling techniques to Group of 4 novices
Weather
Cold, wing but good sunshine
Ground Conditions
Good, rock dry
Time
Length: 11K Height Gain: 817m, Highest point: Moel Siabod ( 872m) Time: 7 hrs
Group – Instructor plus 4 Novice scramblers
A good day out with group of novice hill walkers.
Daear Ddu Ridge although not as demanding as Tryfan North Ridge (Grade1)does offer scope for challenging short sections of Grade 1 to possibly even Grade 2 scrambling. It’s also ideal for route finding, each member of the group was encouraged to ‘Take the Lead’ during the day.
Leaving the vehicles at Bryn Glo lay-by, we crossed the main road and river at Pont Cyfyng.
After a gentle walk in of about an 1hr and a half through, we arrived at the foot of the Daear Ddu ridge, here we took a short break and re kited for the climb ahead.
The ridge above provided ample opportunity for basic scrambling techniques and rope skills.
-Tying on to a rope (fig 8)
-Belaying
-Managing basic rock protection i.e. Slings/Nuts etc
-Short abseil techniques
Although not generally accepted as required equipment for a Grade 1, each member of the group carried a helmet, harness and Karabiner, they were taught the skills of how to fit and use said equipment.
On summiting the ridge there was a short walk to the trig point, where we had a bite to eat.
The walk continued along the fine North East ridge somewhat gentler than the one we have just climbed but it did provide sublime views in all directions. We then decended to join the path to Plas y Brenin Royal Bridge the back to Siabod Café for debrief.
During the day the group were also taught basic navigation skills and safety procedures recommended for the mountain environment.
Area :
Moelwynion
The Moelwynion (a Welsh plural, sometimes anglicised to Moelwyns) are a group of mountains in central Snowdonia. They extend from the north-east of Porthmadog to Moel Siabod, the highest of the group. The name derives from the names of the two largest mountains in the group, Moelwyn Mawr (great white hill) and Moelwyn Bach (little white hill).
