
DATE 12/09/15
ACTIVITY
Walking and Scrambling
REGION
North Wales
AREA
Snowdon Massif
MOUNTAIN SUMMITED
Grib Goch (923m)
Garnedd Ugain (1065m)
Snowdon (1085m)
SCRAMBLES
(North Wales Scrambles – Garry Smith)
North Ridge, Grib Goch Grade 1
Main Ridge Traverse, Grib Goch Grade 1
Crib Y Ddysgl, Garnedd Ugain Grade 1
DESCRIPTION OF ROUTE:
Snowdon Via Crib Goch
I arrived at 14:30 and parked the car on the A4086 just below Bleen-y-nant. I was following the North Wales Scrambles (Garry Smith) Guide Book. I crossed the river using a small vehicle bridge at (623 570) and continued straight ahead following the stream across Cwm Glas Mawr. The weather was clear with little wind but could see the summits in the could. After about 50mins I followed a steep stony path which made its way up to the top of the rise and then turned left towards Llyn Glas. As I made it over the rise the main ridge of crib goch was clearly visible and could make my way toward the north ridge base. I made my way up a short scree slope to reach the ridge. The scrambling was easy and gave at first and then the ridge becomes more pronounced, I continued along the crest towards the east summit of crib goch. This was my first time along the north ridge and gives an airy feel along its knife-edge ridge.
I then continued on to traverse the main ridge of grib goch, this was my second time up on the ridge and unlike my first visit I got to really appreciate the ridge and views that surrounded me. There wasn’t any one else on the ridge at this time and gave me a real sense of freedom, it was about 5:30 when I reached the cairn marking the summit of grib goch. I looked down and could make out a group of walkers making there way up the pyg track and looking up to the summit of Snowdon could just make out the summit as it flickered in and out of the cloud.
I continued my way along the ridge and over the pinnacles which gave a tricky descent and on to the long grassy saddle before grib y Ddysgl.
As I continued along the ridge of crib y Ddysal the cloud level slowy descended and it wasn’t long before the waterproofs we on and I was battling through strong wind and rain, this was a complete different atmosphere now and made the journey a trip to remember. When I reached the summit of Snowdon. I took shelter behind the café and waited for the rain to ease off. I paid my visit to the Trig Point and then made my way back down this time along the Snowdon ranger path. I pass the a couple of groups on my way back down and then veered off along the path after about 20minutes I broke out the rain and cloud into perfect conditions. The sky was a bright orange as the sun was setting and the views where amazing by the time I reached the cross road in the path it was complete darkness. I followed the path towards llanberris and made my way back across to the beginning of the llanberris path. This was the first time I had been out in the dark and gave me good practice navigating at night. I then made the long walk back up the A4086 towards Gwastadnant and after about an hour finally reached the car at 22:00.
Area :
Snowdon Massif
Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales, at an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside Scotland. It is located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd, and has been described as "the busiest mountain in Britain". It is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.