Yr Orsedd (559m) Ridge Hike

A crisp winters morning greeted us today in Wales! Full blue skies and a bitterly cold wind made for beautiful yet hostile conditions in the mountains. I was guiding a small team, who wanted to climb as many peaks as possible within the constraints of a short time frame. The Yr Orsedd to Drum ridge on the edge of the Carneddau gave the perfect venue.

Yr Orsedd is a little know peak along the ridge and according to the stats, is the 4402nd highest peak in the British Isles and the 314th highest in Wales! It might not be the most famous, but it certainly gives a great day out as part of an enchainment of peaks. There are fabulous views out to sea and Anglesey to the North and more mountain views to the south.

 

We ascended the steep and 'shady side' after parking at the end of the road past Aber Falls, which was cold but sheltered, before breaking back into the sunlight.

 

Then it was a simpler case of just following the ridge up and over Foel Ganol and onto Yr Orsedd, where we stopped for lunch and to huddle down out of the wind. You can't tell from the photos, but it was baltic up there!

 

Out of the wind, it was warm, sunny and a top quality lunch spot!

 

We descended down the mountainside to the north and back into the shade where all the puddles were decoratively frozen.

 

Looking back along the skyline, before heading home, it was pleasing to be abe to see all the peaks that we had been up. It wasn't a day for lingering around, but we were all glad to have been able to enjoy such a stunning day travelling through such a remote, wild, yet easily accessible place.