Circumnavigation of Tryfan. Rather than having an objective of a summit or summits(s), which I have done a lot of, I decided to focus on specific 'Fauna.' Something that I believe there are mountain walking groups that would find very interesting and I wanted to increase my experience regarding the feral mountain goats in the Ogwen Valley.
Welsh feral Mountain Goats: Having seen amazing sets of their long horns off in the distance up the rocky ridges in the Ogwen Valley, this weekend I set off to get up close with these gorgeous creatures. These particular mountain goats were introduced to Britain around 5,000 years ago by Neolith farmers who domesticated them for milk and wool. Around 200 years ago these goats were replaced by goats with higher milk production and more desirable wool. Though culled significantly many became feral and still roam the rocky ridges of Snowdonia. This weekend I decided to take my camera up onto the steep slopes of Tryfan for some close up photography. I stalked slowly and quietly for a couple of hours to get very close, and when I finally got close I realized that they were not the slightest bit concerned about my presence. I moved slowly for approximately 3 hours before realizing the goats would basically take no notice of my close presence. The population of gaots was mostly on the eastern slope, which is protected from the prevailing winds. After turning west passing through Bwlch Tryfan I noted a few large goats up to the south in Cwm Cneifion. I did not venture that direction for close ups. After swinging around to the north on the west slope of Tryfan I did not locate any Mountain Goats.
Route Planning: This route was planned in general around searching for and follow the Welsh Mountain Goats on the slopes of Tryfan. Last week, while acting as a trainer for a DoE Gold Expedition for college students, because of gale force winds and torrential rain we had kept them off the summits and ridgelines. While in the area around Tryfan I was able to see the long horns of a few goats well up the slopes of Tryfan. That was the objective. Though well off any path on an OS map, Tryfan itself provided a prominent geographic feature. Though the slopes were steep and slippy due to the heavy heather covering of the terrain with slippery rocks under the heather, navigation was clear and escape routes were just to head down onto flat terrain and visible path below. I did carry both an OS 1:25,000 and a 1:5000 with me but they were not necessary for navigation, and that was not the objective of this walk.
Weather: I checked the weather reports with MWIS, including the MWIS Friday Fleeting View, the Met Office Special Report for Ogwen Valley and Tryfan, and XCWeather. After 10 days of high to gale force winds and torrential rain I needed more reasonable weather for photography. The weather was light winds, no rain, and temps around 11C in the valley, and 4C on summits. Most rock that was no buried under heather was dry.
Risk: I was off trail for the first half of the journey on steep ground pursuing the Goats. The heather was thick and slippery, but I moved very slowly and purposefully. I carried both a mobile phone and a Garmin InReach for emergencies. Escape routes were always available straight down.
Area :
Glyderau
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.
