UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Snowdon x 2(1,085m), Y Lliwedd(893m)

Total Distance : 27.3km, Total Ascent : 1,851m

Staying at Snowdon Ranger YHA was perfect for my plan to climb Snowdon twice. Leaving the hostel it is about 100m to the start of the path. Zig zagging uphill initially it soon eases off for a while but then rises sharply up on more zig-zags before trending upwards at an angle to meet the railway line and the Miners Track junction. From there it is 15 minutes or so to the summit, taking just under two hours for the walk.

It had been cloudy all morning with strong winds. Given that the paths are good I'd elected to walk in trainers - a first! I'd also elected to wears shorts and a T-Shirt, but of course, carried extra clothing in my rucsac in case of inclement weather. In fact, the wind was cold enough for me to don my Stellar Windproof which was fine, although quite clammy - it works much better with a long sleeved base layer.

Due to my reasonably early start, the summit cafe wasn't open so rather than wait, I headed back down to pick up the Miners Track which loses height very quickly to the lakes below. I've not walked this route for many years and had forgotten just how long it takes to get to Pen-y-Pass, in fact, it was another 45 minutes before I reached the YHA at the top of the pass. I'd spent around 1 hour 45 minutes on the descent, but had plenty of time, so went in for a coffee and cake, before leaving for the return journey. It was just mid-day which gave me plenty of time.

Back up the Miners Track to the lake, I turned off left to pick up the Watkin Path, part of the Classic Snowdon Horseshoe - which includes Crib Goch, normally done first as it is easier to ascend than to descend on the Pen-y-Pass side. The Watkin took me up some interesting scrambling to Y Lliwedd (893m). The views on the top were, sadly, non-existant but improved as I descended to the col on some difficult terrain (much easier to go up than to go down here). Up again on the final Snowdon approach is hard going and relentless right the way to the summit (1085m) which suddenly appears over a crest.

This time, the cafe was open and bustling with people. I decided it was lunchtime as it had taken me just under 2 1/2 hours from Pen-y-Pass.

Out again and into the cold mountain air I was pleased to be moving downhill and quickly to warm up. Onto the Ranger path I dropped down, promising myself a good break once flatter ground was reached. Just as I was thinking of stopping, a couple asked me if I knew where the path lead. I did, then enquired about their destination. 'Llanberis' came the reply. I desperately tried to recall how to get there from this path, finally consulting 'View Ranger' which showed a path. I described it to them, but then remembered seeing a signpost to Llanberis on my way up. We walked down together, chatting about stuff until finally our paths split. Thanking me for my help, they headed off and I continued down, stopping shortly afterwards to eat my remaining food and admire the mountains across the lake. Finally I arrived back at the YHA at 4:30pm which was ideal for a shower, change and re-admin my rucsac for tomorrow.

Peaks climbed : Gallt y Wenallt(619m), LLiwedd Bach(818m), Y Lliwedd(898m), Yr Aran(747m)

Total Distance : 20.5km, Total Ascent : 1,347m

Plans changed. The weather wasn't really suitable for the Nantlle Ridge so I decided to pick off some mountains around Snowdon which meant I could walk directly from Pen-y-Pass YHA where I was staying which was a bonus.

Out and along the Miners Track for a while until I spotted the huge water pipeline. Some cross country walking bought me down to the pipe where some limbo dancing was required to cross under it. I had warmed up already so stopped at a convenient hut to remove my mid-layer and don my waterproof jacket. The first of many rain showers had just started so it was a convenience.

Suitably changed I headed off and generally upwards on a steep and long ascent. At just 619m I thought Gallt y Wenallt would fall easily, but no, this was a proper mountain and took some proper ascending. The summit arrived and I was greeted with some excellent views across Lliwedd and the Snowdon Horseshoe, including Snowdon itself, now coated in a layer of snow and looking really impressive.

Not wanting to wait long, I was soon off to my next destination, Lliwedd, which at over 800m was a serious undertaking, but I was helped by the fact that I joined the Snowdon Horseshoe path so was able to make good progress on an obvious path. I've climbed Lliwedd several times but pretty sure I'd not climbed Lliwedd Bach before so wanted to do that so that I could say for sure that I'd done it.

Slow and steady climbing over mixed ground, sometimes rocky, sometimes grass I finally reached the summit which again gave awesome views over the lakes and to Snowdon. It is quite a steep drop here so it is best to stay well away from it - a fall would definitely be fatal.

It was quite cold and breezy here so I moved away and found some shelter for a quick drink stop. Lliwedd main summit is only 80m higher than Bach but seems to tower above. The main summit is divided into an East Top and a main Top. I did both to be on the safe side.

My original plan was to climb Snowdon from here then return via the Miners or PyG track, but to my left and not looking too far away was Yr Aran, another unclimbed peak. A quick check on the map showed me that I could ascend it, then make a decision whether to continue to Snowdon or return via Nantgwnant in the valley.

Rather foolishly I decided on a direct descent from Lliwedd and spent time regretting my choice as I slowly and painfully made my way down. I'd identified a crossing (an old bridge) and also a way up following a wall to a col and then directly up. This proved inspired and the ascent went well on good terrain and I soon found myself on the final summit ridge. There are no false summits but the actual summit is set back a bit. On top it was nicely sheltered so I decided it had to be lunchtime. Of course the weather had other ideas and no sooner had I started my sandwich than the rain started to fall. Determined to finish I sat it out before packing up and heading off.

I abandoned my plan for Snowdon, deciding that a descent to Nantgwnant would give me the opportunity of a different return to Pen y Pass. The descent follows the main ascent route for a while but then continues in more or less a straight line following the obvious fence, then bears left and thins out on the steep descent to the Watkin Path, but any careful route ends up in the right place and soon enough I joined the Watkin Path and the final descent went quickly on a good path. Near the bottom the path splits. I figured left would be correct as the lake and Pen y Pass was to my left. The decision was a good one and I was on a good farm track. I checked my altimeter and found I was at 60m.

The path winds its way through farmland, then into a wooded area as it passes the lake and more easy going, but muddy tracks until it arrives at the pumping station which marks the end of the huge pipeline. Here the path turns to the right and then left just before the second stream crossing. Onto a very good track it continues towards the Pen y Gwyrd Hotel, but still only 80m altitude. I had a bad feeling about the final section as the YHA is almost 400m above sea level and indeed when the path turns up, it does so at quite a steep gradient, not as steep as some of the mountains, but noticeable all the same. The good news is that it bypasses the PyG Hotel by some distance and starts heading in a direct line to the YHA which soon comes into view way up the pass. It also goes out of view too! Finally, exhausted I arrived at the top. It was a tough finish to end a day with a 300m climb, but I knew it was coming.

Into the YHA for a shower, kit admin and then down for coffee and cake. Excellent day out with mostly good weather and excellent views all day.

Peaks climbed : Moel Cynghorion(674m), Foel Goch(605m), Foel Gron(629m), Moel Eilio(726m)

Total Distance : 16.5km, Total Ascent : 1,027m

Driving down to Llanberis I soon located a parking spot on a side road. I objected to the £10 parking fee at the main Snowdon Railway Car Park.

Setting off, the signposts are good, leading the walker past the station and up a side street to a tarmac road which initially starts quite steeply, then eases off once open country is reached. My plan was to follow this track (which leads to the summit of Snowdon) until the Halfway House, then contour right to pick up the track to the summit of Cynghorion.

The plan worked well, and at just over 500m altitude I was at the Halfway House. I'm not sure whether it is half the height or half the distance that gives its name, but it is certainly half height. The terrain to the right has no path but is generally easy going grass with a few boulders thrown in for good measure. Closer in to the foot of the ascent to the col it gets much rockier and a stream running down adds to the need for care. Soon across I followed the fence up to the col where the Snowdon Ranger path almost intersects. Turn right and the climb of Cynghorion begins. It is a good pull to the top, combined with a strengthening wind, made summiting feel like a real achievement, although the summit itself is only marked by a half-hearted small pile of stones. It was quite cold and definitely breezy and my Rab beanie wasn't cutting it, so out came the Fjallraven hat which made a huge difference. Not wanting to stop, I continued towards my next destination of Foel Goch, which at 605m wasn't in my sights as a peak to be bagged since it is only 1,996.5 feet high, failing by just 3.5 feet to be in the 2,000 foot category. In reality it can hold its' head up high as it is no pushover and I was pleased to summit. By now the wind had properly got going and stopping would have been inviting chilling.

There is a short descent before the final two peaks begin. They almost blend in. Foel Gron is reached first and with just a short descent, Moel Cynghorion begins in earnest. Even stronger winds and cloud now obscuring the summit meant there would be no rewarding view from the main summit. About 20m below the summit there is a wall. I decided it would be a good place for a quick break as I hadn't stopped since leaving Llanberis. A couple of warming cups of blackcurrant and some Kendal mint cake and I was off to the summit. Rather frustratingly, there is a proper shelter on the summit, but as it was now gale force wind and hail I decided not to stop again, walked over the summit and then immediately began my descent which is a straight line with Llanberis at about two o'clock, but currently out of sight in the mist. Properly cold I decided I needed to stop briefly to add additional warm gear. Buff went on to protect my face against the horizontal hail that was like being shot and change of gloves to my Buffalo mitts as my Rab Gloves had saturated and had begun to make my hands cold.

As I descended, the wind eased and it began to warm up so I took off my hat and mitts for the remainder of the walk which soon bought me to the town. In the summer it would make a lovely walk up, especially as the coast of Caernarfon and Anglesey is quite visible from the ridge line.