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On the way to Plas y Brenin at Capel Curig for our scrambling course we stopped at Church Stretton to walk the Long Mynd.
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With the weather sunny and clear, for about the first time this year' we first set off to walk to Little Stretton through the woods to the west of the B4370 and then headed out west climbing steeply before heading northwest to reach the road known as the Portway, an ancient track way that's been in use for over 4000 years.
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West from Pole Bank
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After following the road north for a short distance we headed off left to the top of Pole Bank, where on a clear day it is possible to see as far as Cader Idris - we were in luck! Continued northeast and then northwest to reach Ratlinghope, a small hamlet. from where we followed the Shropshire Way northeast along the Darnford Brook to Betchcott Hills. Here we turned southeast and followed The Portway to Robin Hoods Butts and continued on by Haddon Hill and into Carding Mill Valley and a walk back into town.
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The first day of our scrambling course. After a short classroom introduction we were off out. Starting from Edwal Cottage at the west end of Llyn Ogwen we climbed up to Llyn Edwal and then skirted round to the west of it to scramble up the east ridge of Y Garn a grade 2 yet relatively easy ascent up to Castell y Geifr and then a walk up to the summit
For the descent we came down the Sheep Walk into Devils Kitchen and then back around the east side of the lake. From the top the descent doesn't look possible but taking each section at a time we found the path down. one section protected by the rocks forms a warm habitat for rare plants.
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Sheep Walk Scramble
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Sue & Dianne
on Adam & Eve
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Set off from lay-by halfway along south shore of Llyn Ogwen and climbed up to Milestone Buttress and then up and along the ridge of Tryfan. Descended off to the south to Bwich Tryfan and then down to Llyn Bochlwyd aka Lake Australia because of its shape. Returned to the road via Bochlwyd Buttress.
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The challenge of Crib Goch. The forecast was for clouds with sun later, the wind was very gentle.
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Starting from Pen y Pass we followed the Pyg track out and then veered off to the right to climb the buttress of Crib Goch, a grade 1 scramble. Reached the top, the supposed most difficult part of the walk, without problems, through for those who suffer from vertigo the worst part of traversing along the long narrow ridge began. Those with confidence walked along the very top, the rest of us made our way along a little lower down with our hand firmly attached to the rock.
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Reached Ddysgl the second peak of the Crib Goch ridge and the second highest peak in Wales at 1065m, then descended to the col before climbing to the top of Snowdon and a much needed hot chocolate, the promised sun had not arrived.
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Returned to Pen y Pass along the Pyg track and then dropped down to the Miners Track.
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Travelled out to Trearddur to have a go at sea cliff scrambling.
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The tide was low and the weather bright making it a good day.
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The main thing about scrambling along just above the water line is that if you get into difficulties and fall off you will only get wet and so can try some more ambitious routes than you otherwise would, life jackets were worn for such eventuality.
Working our way round past headlands, through channels into sea caves, and over rocks, sometimes we had no alternative but to get our feet wet and at other times we risked a ducking which was experience by many of the group.
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Traversing the rocks
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An excellent day out, even if we did suffer with cuts a grazes from the barnacle clad rocks.
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The last day of the course and technically the most difficult.
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Edwal Staircase
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Travelled up to Edwal Cottage and then walked up to the Edwal Staircase scramble, to the west of Llyn Edwal. This is a grade 2 scramble with a steep start on narrow ledges, a light drizzle made it more 'interesting' a word much used over the past week.
To practice our rope work the lead person climbed up to a suitable position about 15-20m further up the scramble taking a safety rope with them and then the second person followed up with the security of being roped. Some of the positions felt a bit exposed and we were pleased to reach the top and lunch.
In the afternoon we descended back down Edwal Gully a steep but fairly easy scramble.
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After the course, we stayed behind for the weekend to get in some more walking whilst this way. The weather forecast for the day was not as good as we would have liked with light rain showers. however, we decided it was good enough to do the Carneddau round taking in 3 mountains over 3000ft high.
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Starting from the A5 and taking the path north past Glan Dena House we followed the west bank of Afon Lloer before turning west to scramble up the north side of the east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen to reach the ridge and then walk up to the its peak. Intermittent showers and low cloud spoilt any views. Keeping the crags to our right we followed the ridge around to go over Carnedd Fach and onto Carnedd Dafydd following very visible paths, which was just as well as we couldn't see the peaks in front of us.
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Continuing east from Carnedd Dafydd, now with the crags to our left we walk for 1.5km before turning northeast and heading for Carnedd Llywelyn at 1064m the 3rd highest peak in Wales and only 21m below that of Snowdon.
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After a lunch break, in the rain, on the top of Carnedd Llywelyn, we headed out towards our final peak. As we descended the visibility improved and the narrow col of Bwlch Eryl Farchog lay before us followed by an equally narrow and steep northwest ridge of Pen yr Helgi Du where we employed some of our scrambling skills to ascend it and reach the summit plateau.
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Continuing south we followed the ridge down until we were able to turn right and head for the tarmac track, skirting an area of boggy ground.
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Then back to the road and a walk to the starting point.
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The weather was much better for today's walk and so we decided to finally climb the two Glyders, two peaks that has eluded us in the past due to bad weather. For the ascent we chose the scramble route up Bristly Ridge, we had spoken to others who had been up this route and also read the guides but for most of the ascent the only thing that convinced us that we were going the right way was the evidence that others had been there before us.
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On reaching the small pinnacle and looking down into Great Pinnacle Gap we knew we must be on course as there was only one way over - and it didn't look very inviting. However, on closer inspection it wasn't too bad and we were soon by it and on the final few climb to the rocky plateau and a walk up to the summit of Glyder Fach. In the mist it was difficult to spot exactly where the summit was but fortunately a break in the clouds gave us a view and we clambered over large boulders to the top.
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Taking a bearing southwest we continued on our way to the spiky mound of Castell y Gwynt as it emerged from the mist. Skirting around the edge we then turned west and with ever increasing periods of visibility head for Glyder Fawr with intermittent stands of vertical rock above a flat plateau, and lunch.
Now with good visibility we headed down the ever steepening side of Glyder Fawr with Y Garn in front of us and Llyn y Cwn in the col. From here we climbed down the steep but easy Devils Kitchen path to Llyn Edwal and back to Edwal Cottage.
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Summit of Glyder Fawr
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