SnowSlider – Blogging From the mountains by ise

I don’t think I’ve done this in it’s entirety before, I’ve certainly not done a circuit including Gallt y Wenallt although I’ve done pretty much all the sections before eith the possible exception of ascending Lliwedd. I’d met some guys from the Walking Forum as per plan and we really couldn’t have picked a better day. It started fine and sunny and some cloud rolled in later, to me that’s the best of all worlds, you get a real added atmosphere with some cloud swirling around.

The Horseshoe might be the most famous circular day route in the UK, it takes in one of the most famous ridge traverses along Crib Goch. A lot of the route is scrambling on rock ridges in airy positions with some significant exposure at times and it’s not a placer to be if you get concerned by heights. Along the way you gain nearly a 1000m of height and take in the two highest mountains in Snowdonia.

I think on any list of classic European hiking routes the Snowdon Horseshoe would be right up there with anything other ranges have to offer. I was really exceptionally lucky to be able to do Tryfan and the it’s North Ridge one day followed by the extended version of the Horseshoe next in such great weather.

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I’d got a new pair of boots (Scarpa Charmoz) as my old ones are beginning to wear a little in the lining and I was concerned they’d not last the summer. So, my plan was to park at Capel Curig and just have a stroll to see how the new boots fitted. But, once I’d got onto the Glyders the weather was so excellent and Tryfan looked so inviting that I thought I’d take the summit in and make a descent via the North Ridge.


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Another day staying in the Oread hut and this time a shorter route around the local area, originally I’d thought about Moel Elio and a return on the train but the times didn’t really work although this was still an option as we left but it meant a fairly lengthy walk out along the valley and the route was going to be a bit vague. In the end it made sense to cut back across to Rhydd Ddu by a shorter route.

Another fairly clear day and some great views around the area, this is looking at Mynydd Mawr where I’d been on a recent trip in rather worse weather.

After a slightly wet day on Elidir Fawr with Jason I was pleased when Sunday started fine and dry. I was staying in the Oread Mountaineering Club hut in Rhydd Ddu, North Wales, I’ve used the hut a couple of times as a base when I’m in the UK as I’m a former member of the Oread. The hut was rented out to another club but another member was also there, Julie, although our times as active members didn’t quite coincide so we’d not met before.

Julie also fancied a walk and neither of us had firmer plans than to head in the rough direction of the Nantlle Ridge and see what looked good as we got to the col. So we decided to join up and decide as we walked. When we reached the ridge it looked pretty good towards Moel yr Ogof which had been on my mind to do anyway. We crossed into some open country to lengthen the ridge line a little and started make the ascent.


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