| February 2022 |
| Y Garn(947m) |
| Foel Goch(831m) |
| Mynydd Perfedd(812m) |
| Carnedd y Filiast(821m) |
| Carnedd y Filiast North Top(721m) |
| September 2022 |
| Y Foel-goch(805m) |
| Gallt yr Ogof(763m) |
Peaks climbed : Y Garn(947m), Foel Goch(831m), Mynydd Perfedd(812m), Carnedd y Filiast(821m), Carnedd y Filiast North Top(721m)
Total Distance : 19.5km, Total Ascent : 665m
Today was the worst day for weather so far. The forecast was not looking good with a high chance of rain and a low chance of cloud free peaks!
With that in mind I changed my plan from the Carnedds to the Glyders which meant I could walk from the Youth Hostel.
Donning full waterproofs and hat I set off up to Llyn Idwal, but very quickly stopped to put on gloves as it was already cold. It is a lovely easy walk up to the lake and I looked longingly across to Idwal Slabs, a popular climbing area in the summer and one I used to frequent back in the day. Today, not surprisingly there was no-one there.
My path took me on the East Side of the lake and headed up and into the cloud, the lake soon disappearing from view. The path is relentlessly steep and continuous with no breaks. I did not relish the return trip! With little visibility it was impossible to gauge position and so the climb seemed endless, but eventually, just as the path became blocked with snow forcing me onto the heather, I crested the rise onto Y Garn summit. Not bothering with the final few metres, I turned right and followed the thin trail that headed North West. With good visibility, navigation would be simple, but with zero visibility a quick check of the map seemed wise. Off I went and just as quickly, started to descend, eventually flattening out and then rising again to the summit of Foel Goch (831m). There was nothing of note, nor any shelter so I continued on initially over a boulder field, but then better ground as I located the main path. It was a straightforward walk to Mynydd Perfedd (812m) where I was pleased to see a shelter. Taking advantage I had a hot drink and put on an extra layer as it was now very cold due to the strong wind and continual rain.
Leaving there over the boulder field I picked up the path to the penultimate peak; Carnedd y Filiast (821m) which was soon reached. Again, not stopping I clambered over the boulders and headed down. Right at this moment, the cloud cleared and I could clearly see my final peak of the day; Carnedd y Filiast North Top (721m), to my left the reservoir used by the Power Station in Llanberis and also Elidr Fawr, the 'Electric Mountain'. North Top is not in the Mountain Tables, but features in the Nuttall book and as my route would take me over it anyway, it had to be done. I'd decided not to retrace my steps along the ridge, but head North on a small track, then pick up another track heading back along the valley. The danger of that was that the map showed the path disappearing part way along so there was every chance I would end up heather bashing to descend, but it seemed preferable to the alternative which was back along the ridge.
The wind and rain had picked up strongly now and as I descended felt myself being blown across, combined with horizontal rain and a very slippery descent did start to make me wonder!
Not content with all of that, as I turned off and back in the direction of the Youth Hostel, the wind was directly in my face! The path itself was reasonable and very slowly descended. As I reached a major stream, another path went left and downhill. This would do for me, especially as I could see the road I was aiming at and a gate through the fence, it was ideal.
Down I went, carefully picking my way through stones and mud to eventually reach the bottom and the road. All there was left was to follow the road back for a couple of miles and it would be done. It was a slog, but the better choice I think. Being almost 2pm, I felt hungry so found some shelter from the wind and ate my lunch before completing the journey back.
Peaks climbed : Y Foel-goch(805m), Gallt yr Ogof(763m)
Total Distance : 9km, Total Ascent : 584m
I parked just below Tryfan Bach in the long car park and was soon away, initially following a track Northwards parallel to Tryfan, but then broke off left and upwards for some more entertaining climbing which bought me close to my first peak of the day; Y Foel-Goch (805m). The initial crest is not the summit but that is not too far away and I was soon there. The views across to the Carnedds and back to Tryfan and the Glyders was amazing, it was a wonderful day with few clouds and great views.
Not stopping long, I headed off to Gallt yr Ogof (763m) a half mile or so away. There were two similar summits so of course I had to do both to be on the safe side. That done, I made my way down over rough ground. Nuttall claims there are no decent paths and he is right! As it turned out, there was only one tricky section and I made good progress down to the track that runs parallel to the road and two hours after starting I was back, job done.
