A white Tryfan

[caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="Sunrise over Capel Curig"][/caption]

I woke around 5.30am for breakfast and the usual morning routine, anyone who knows ulcerative colitis will know what that consists of. Anyway, I had breakfast with what looked like cloud covering the surrounding mountain tops, great I thought, a distinct lack of view. As the sun started to rise it appeared we had a sprinkling of the white stuff on the higher ground, this made the day a little more interesting.

[caption id="attachment_114" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pen Yr Ole Wen"][/caption]

After a few photos of the valley, sunrise and white topped mountains we headed of to the layby, one of the first to arrive at the base of Tryfan that day, Very doubtful to be the first to the summit though.

We didn't exactly have a planned route up to the top, just whatever looked interesting and took our fancy. This proved to be a good plan, and tested my confidence and climbing abilities(virtually non existent) to the limit. I swear there were a couple of moments where I was close to taking the quick (unintentional) route down the mountain.

[caption id="attachment_124" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Looking North form halfway point."][/caption]

 

The snow and ice made the going pretty tough in places but alot of fun too. We seemed to hit a band of cloud three quarters of the way up but once on top the view was, again, fantastic. Clear blue skies greeted us, temperature was ok but a jumping Adam and Eve was out of the question, just a tad icey on top would of made for an interesting landing.

[caption id="attachment_125" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="No leaping today, way to icy on top!"][/caption]

After a short stop and chat to other folks lucky enough to enjoy the summit that day we headed over Far South Peak of Tryfan and worked our way down the valley passed Llyn Bochlwyd passing some stunning waterfalls and features on the way down. Once back at the van it was a quick change out of the soggy cold clothes, make a fresh cuppa and fill the flask with hot water for the journey home.

Well I enjoyed my first bit of scrambling and climbing in snowy conditions, I've hiked/walked in snowy conditions many a time but this was so much fun.

Lets just say it's the tip of the iceberg, literally.

What a weekend!

Pre op clamber

Snowdon and Tryfan, November 2010.

Chris has joined me on a trip up Snowdonia before the big day.

I picked Chris up at Chiverton around 6pm on the 5th November and we drove on upto Pen-Y-Pas, arriving to a wet and windy carpark around 1230am Saturday morning.

We decided to kip in the van rather than mess around finding a campsite, the front seats of the van proved to be quite comfortable, except for the handbrake. Not to sure how Chris faired in the back of the van though.




We woke around 6am with the weather a great improvement. The plan was to navigate the the Snowdon Horseshoe, however we left the options open to reach Yr Wyddfa and head down if needs be. This proved to be a good idea. The weather was good, couldn't really of asked for better conditions. The sun was out, next to no wind and temperature was good. Shame that my fitness wasn't good!

We made our way up the Pyg Track to Crib junction where we took a right and headed up to Crib Goch. The climb up was fun
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy scrambling and climbing. I had also forgotten what the view was like once on the top.

After a relaxed scramble (crawl) along Crib Goch we decided to end to day with a summit of Snowdon and a wander down the Pyg Track, neither of us wanted to over do it and ruin the climb up Tryfan on Sunday.


We headed down to the van, which I must admit was a very welcome site! I was shattered! We headed over toward Tryfan in search for the campsite, Gwern Gof Isaf Farm. A nice little site very close to Tryfan, hot showers (which were very welcome), bunkhouses and lots of tent space.



After a shower hot food and a beer, with the rain tapping on the tent I finally hit the hay around 9pm.

Crib Goch or no Crib Goch?

Snowdon again today. The plan is to complete the Snowdon Horseshoe, I think this is going to be fun!

Surprisingly I don't feel bad today, thought I'd ache like hell, but no feel ok and well up for tackling Crib Goch. We left the campsite around 9.30, we were going to grab the bus up to Pen-y-pas but got fed up waiting for it, god knows what time the buses start.

Seeing the Pyg track in broad daylight was a little different to Wednesday morning, I could actually see the mountains, and what a site! Especially in the todays glorious weather. We followed the Pyg track until the junction for Crib Goch and sat there for a quick break before heading on up. We followed a school party up for a few hundred feet then passed them as they took a well earned rest.

Now, this is were it got interesting, especially for someone who isn't so keen on heights or long drops. A couple of the sections on the way up to Crib Goch tested the fear factor, to be honest it needed testing, especially with knowing what was ahead.



The view from up top was captivating. Definitely worth every drop of sweat spilt.
The way across Crib Goch was interesting to say the least, there were certainly times were the thought of turning back were barely beaten back by the urge to conquer the arete and my fear of heights. Once across the knife edge and Crib Goch we had the pinnacle to traverse, again these were quite fun and exhilarating.
With the pinnacles in the bag we headed for Snowdon's summit briefly stopping a Garnedd Ugain trig point for a couple of photos.



With food and drink in our bellies we headed down the scree slope for Y Lliwedd via Bwlch y Saethau, the descent turned out to be quite tricky due only to the amount of scree. Once down we had a fairly easy walk to Y Lliwedd, and once again the summit served up some incredible scenery.

It was all downhill from hear, must admit in a way I was quite glad it was nearly over, the feet were starting to ache now, but it has certainly been worth every step. Entering the car park from the Pyg track was a relief, it just left a downhill drive to the campsite, and sustenance.