We were always planning to follow the weather and high avalanche conditions in Scotland and extensive flooding in The Lakes, prompted us towards Snowdonia.
Flew in on Sunday night and drove over to Betws Y Coed YHA, based at Swallow Falls (they didn’t mind us arriving late).
With snow levels down to about 500m, the high mountain routes were out. Monday – a couple of routes on the Milestone Buttress (Direct Route and Pulpit Route) and then an end of the day visit to Tryfan Fach (Arete Climb) to get our pitch count above 10. Tuesday – heavy rain/snow forecast so a plan to complete the winter traverse of Crib Goch. Arrival at Penn Y Pass saw winds in access of 65mph so opted for the Pyg track instead, where we managed to get lost for over 30 minutes just before the zig-zags in a fair amount of snow before finding our way to a very windy summit. Managed to stay over at Plas Y Brenin Tuesday night. Wednesday promised to be dry so a visit to Idwal Slabs, where the wearing of ‘big boots’ pointed us to a quick ascent of Ordinary Route. Thomas took the final technical finish up a blunt nose, which required effort on both ends of the rope for Jim to second…
A few hours drive took us to Nottingham, a stop at The Wollaton and Smokey Dave’s before a trip to The Peak… Thursday – Snow at Stanage put us off and so we retreated to Birchen (no ice or snow) for a few ascents (Topsail, Orpheus Wall). Departed Friday. Hope you like the pictures…
