UK Mountains Expedition Report

Ask anyone who knows where the Carnedds are and they will tell you that you must park in the Ogwen Valley and head North. Whilst that is true, there are other ways of ascending, this route description tells of just such an ascent.

We had been asked by a regular client to provide him with a walk that would be different, provide some good views and be off the beaten track.

We drove to the Aber Falls car park, just out of the tiny village of Abergwyngregyn which marked the start of our walk. From here it is a pleasant mile or so up to the Aber Falls, a spectacular waterfall running off the main mountains of our day; Llwytmor and Foel Fras. Our route lay to the North initially from Aber Falls up a steep scree/grass slope which gains 500m of altitude in less than a kilometre! Now that is steep and it was a breathless pair that reached the corner of the plantation to break off for Llwtymor Bach, the first minor peak at 690m. Being a subsidiary of the main peak, it cannot be claimed as 'a bag', despite the obvious effort in reaching it, the prize was still a further, but somewhat easier kilometre away; Llwytmor itself, at 849m, the 55th highest peak in England and Wales. Being mid-February, it was cold, and the wind blowing in from the coast, less than 5km distant made it even more so, my thermometer read -5 degrees C, the wind chill probably adding another 10-15 degrees making it -15 to -20 degrees C. Plenty of thermals, and windstoppers were needed, plus hats and gloves.

This terrain, although straightforward, was deceptive, a twisted ankle or fall could have dire consequences, frostbite and hypothermia were very real possibilities.

On trips like this I always carry extra clothes just in case, a flask of hot drink and a bothy bag are essential items. If you are forced to stop for an extended period, getting out of the wind is vital, as is keeping warm.

We pressed on, our next target was Foel Fras, at 942m it is the first/last peak on the Welsh 3000s route and being higher than anything to the North, was suffering from a fierce North wind. We moved on quickly, keen to get out of the biting wind. It was already lunchtime, but we daren't stop, we would be sure to bring on hypothermia. We planned to reach the relative safety of Bera Mawr (794m), which, castle like, would allow us to find good shelter from the wind. As we moved across the open land, we looked to the South and South West to the Carnedd range, there was Uchaf, Llewelyn, the steep sided Yr Elen and others, all snow covered, looking inviting - another day perhaps! We soon arrived at our destination and after claiming it, dropped down into a hollow for a well earned lunch. It was still bitterly cold and I could feel my fingers becoming very cold having taken my gloves off for just a few minutes. We scoffed our food, drank from our hot blackcurrant and set off, already the chill was getting through, stationary bodies will not maintain warmth for long.

Our next summit was Bera Bach (807m), which was soon dispatched and we headed almost due West to Drosgl (758m) our final summit of the day. From here it was a North West bearing to the East side of Moel Wnion, which at 580m, would wait for another day. The descent was tough on tired legs and knees, dropping some 500m over two kilometres to the Aber falls footpath. Finally we were out of the wind and felt quite warm in our mountain gear. We stopped for some food and drink, admiring the falls and wondering just how cold it has to be for the waterfall to freeze - which it has done in the past.

A final twenty minutes or so bought us back to the car and the finish. An excellent day out, several peaks bagged, few other walkers - we saw four all day, and a story to tell.