Thursday 21 May 2009
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Two days in Snowdonia!
Another great weekend up in north west Wales, taking in some spectacular views, rugged mountains and atrocious weather. We arrived in Nant Peris about 12:30 Friday night. Found the basic campsite in the heart of Snowdonia, pitched in the middle and crashed. Probably not the best location, as through the night we were pounded by strong winds and heavy rain. Tents were horizontal but we got enough sleep.
So setting off Saturday lunch time, the weather had become even worse, but we thought we'd give it a crack. Above the campsite at Nant Peris, a small road leads to a series of footpaths, below Elidir Fawh. The start of the trail is boggy and wet most of the time and after the latest deluge was pretty bad. So we headed straight up to the summit. Strong westerly winds and rain pounded us all the way up to 924m. From Elidir Fawh, you can walk north and follow a horseshoe round in the cloud. This section was quite sheltered from the wind, but visibility was no more than 15-20 metres (see above). After completing the horseshoe you head south and towards Foel Goch and Y Garn. At this point, soaked and blasted by the wind, we were considering our bail out options. But all of a sudden... the strong winds blew away the cloud and blue skies emerged. Finally some views in Snowdonia! We summited Y Garn - another 3000s'er, where you get great views of Llyn Ogwen. Then took a slow descent to a quiet tarn - Llyn Y Cwm - a possible swimming spot. From here you take a long walk back to Nant Peris down a rocky and very green path. Lots of beaut waterfalls and plenty of flopping out in the warm sunshine - an amazing contrast from three hours earlier!
Day 2 - Tryfan
Today was quite cloudy and threatening drizzle, but it seemed to be holding off. After advice from a few regular climbers, we headed up the north trail of Tryfan. There are numerous options ranging from scrambles to grade 1 climbs. The main trail isn't very obvious, but if you head slightly east of the peak, the scrambling is easier. It took roughly three hours to hit the top. There are two summits - the southern one hosts Adam and Eve. These are two stones - remarkably positioned on the top. You can jump between the two to gain the "Freedom of Tryfan", but at 915m, we just settled for standing on one each... Still views at the top were sensational and very mystical with cloud moving around.
So setting off Saturday lunch time, the weather had become even worse, but we thought we'd give it a crack. Above the campsite at Nant Peris, a small road leads to a series of footpaths, below Elidir Fawh. The start of the trail is boggy and wet most of the time and after the latest deluge was pretty bad. So we headed straight up to the summit. Strong westerly winds and rain pounded us all the way up to 924m. From Elidir Fawh, you can walk north and follow a horseshoe round in the cloud. This section was quite sheltered from the wind, but visibility was no more than 15-20 metres (see above). After completing the horseshoe you head south and towards Foel Goch and Y Garn. At this point, soaked and blasted by the wind, we were considering our bail out options. But all of a sudden... the strong winds blew away the cloud and blue skies emerged. Finally some views in Snowdonia! We summited Y Garn - another 3000s'er, where you get great views of Llyn Ogwen. Then took a slow descent to a quiet tarn - Llyn Y Cwm - a possible swimming spot. From here you take a long walk back to Nant Peris down a rocky and very green path. Lots of beaut waterfalls and plenty of flopping out in the warm sunshine - an amazing contrast from three hours earlier!
Day 2 - Tryfan
Today was quite cloudy and threatening drizzle, but it seemed to be holding off. After advice from a few regular climbers, we headed up the north trail of Tryfan. There are numerous options ranging from scrambles to grade 1 climbs. The main trail isn't very obvious, but if you head slightly east of the peak, the scrambling is easier. It took roughly three hours to hit the top. There are two summits - the southern one hosts Adam and Eve. These are two stones - remarkably positioned on the top. You can jump between the two to gain the "Freedom of Tryfan", but at 915m, we just settled for standing on one each... Still views at the top were sensational and very mystical with cloud moving around.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Three day trek in the lakes.......
Just completed a cracking three day trek around the Lake District. Took in some amazing scenery, starting at Patterdale then ascending Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.
Day 1
Starting roughly fifteen minutes walk outside Patterdale, due to parking restrictions, I accessed the mountains through Grassthwaite Howe. A slow trail led up to the Hole in the Wall, just south of Birkhouse Moor. It is only when you reach the top of this trail at about 650m that you can take in decent views. Primarily Hevellyn further up, but also looking back over Ullswater. Helvellyn can be ascended from its north or south. I took the northerly trail up Swirral Edge. Quite steep towards the mount and requiring a bit of scrambling. The top of Helvelyn is a large plateau. From there I headed south towards Nethermost Pike, then past High Crag and Dollywaggon Pike. A steep descent towards Grisedale Tarn has superb views westwards over Wythburn and Thirlmere reservoir. After walking around the tarn, you take another long descent down Great Tongue, south west until you hit the northern fringes of Grassmere. That descent killed my legs, so after crossing the A591, I headed up to Greenburn Bottom. A low set valley with a strong stream through it, this was a great spot to camp.
Day 2
After a stormy and wet night, I set off early for what looked like an epic day of trekking. I took the easier option to leave Greenburn, ascending slowly then climbing up on to a ridge where there was great views of Grassmere Common. I had camped at 250m or so, so spent the first couple of hours of the trek walking uphill. This led to High Raise at 762m, where there was great views north toward... and back towards Helvellyn. A long pass south west takes you to Tongue Head and Angle Tarn. This is a beautiful spot and ideal for a good break before the ascent into Scafell range.
From here I headed up to Scafell, taking about an hour and fifteen. The last time I was up Scafell, cloud descended and all I could see was white mist. But although plenty of cloud came over, there were still cracking views of Great Gable and Wasdale.
After this I had to take a long trek back the way I came. No other options back towards Grassmere. The walk to the top of High Raise was a killer, but I ended up camped just below Wythburn Fells, quite close to the previous night. After 10 hours walking, I collapsed.
Day 1
Starting roughly fifteen minutes walk outside Patterdale, due to parking restrictions, I accessed the mountains through Grassthwaite Howe. A slow trail led up to the Hole in the Wall, just south of Birkhouse Moor. It is only when you reach the top of this trail at about 650m that you can take in decent views. Primarily Hevellyn further up, but also looking back over Ullswater. Helvellyn can be ascended from its north or south. I took the northerly trail up Swirral Edge. Quite steep towards the mount and requiring a bit of scrambling. The top of Helvelyn is a large plateau. From there I headed south towards Nethermost Pike, then past High Crag and Dollywaggon Pike. A steep descent towards Grisedale Tarn has superb views westwards over Wythburn and Thirlmere reservoir. After walking around the tarn, you take another long descent down Great Tongue, south west until you hit the northern fringes of Grassmere. That descent killed my legs, so after crossing the A591, I headed up to Greenburn Bottom. A low set valley with a strong stream through it, this was a great spot to camp.
Day 2
After a stormy and wet night, I set off early for what looked like an epic day of trekking. I took the easier option to leave Greenburn, ascending slowly then climbing up on to a ridge where there was great views of Grassmere Common. I had camped at 250m or so, so spent the first couple of hours of the trek walking uphill. This led to High Raise at 762m, where there was great views north toward... and back towards Helvellyn. A long pass south west takes you to Tongue Head and Angle Tarn. This is a beautiful spot and ideal for a good break before the ascent into Scafell range.
From here I headed up to Scafell, taking about an hour and fifteen. The last time I was up Scafell, cloud descended and all I could see was white mist. But although plenty of cloud came over, there were still cracking views of Great Gable and Wasdale.
After this I had to take a long trek back the way I came. No other options back towards Grassmere. The walk to the top of High Raise was a killer, but I ended up camped just below Wythburn Fells, quite close to the previous night. After 10 hours walking, I collapsed.
Day 3
So the final stretch and after another night of heavy wind and rain, I left early. Having walked further down this valley and then over the A591, I headed back towards Grisedale Tarn. From here it was an hour walk back to Patterdale, past Grisedale Forest.
http://www.mountainhiking.org.uk/england-wales/glenridding/index.shtml
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