Col Gully (Grade I) - Glyder Fach

Eager as always to get out while the snow is in the mountains, I set off this morning to climb 'Col Gully on the side of Glyder Fach. I've fancied climbing this long snowy ramp for a while, but always been put off by the long walk up. As there was no snow in the valley, I decided that the approach was going to be as easy as it ever would be today and within an hour from leaving the van, I was entering the narrows. The snow was soft and powdery except where it had been compacted into the back of the gully. Progress was straight forward and the views and solitude, marvellous.

 

Just near the top, a lack of snow meant that a bit of climbing over boulders was required. (I could have escaped rightwards, but it seemed a bit unsporting). I put my shell jacket on before the final section as I could see spindrift blowing around near the top, indicating that the afternoon winds were arriving.

 

The weather was changing as I topped out, but you could still see Snowdon off in the distance.

 

And to the south, Moel Siabod's summit was coated in snow too.

 

I toyed with the idea of descending into Cwm Ceniefion, for a second route, but a sudden increase in wind and a decrease in visibility changed my mind as I stood peering over the rim of the cwm, trying not to get blown over the edge. Instead, I navigated over to the big cairn at the top of the Gribin Ridge and had some food and drink in its shelter. It was clear that the conditions were worsening, so after ten minutes or so, I set off down the ridge, picking out the quickest way I could.

 

Back down at Llyn Bochllewyd, I'd stopped to stash my ice axe, when a gust of wind sent me flying! I literally had to brace as if I was in a rugby scrum to make my way back onto the path. As I descended the next section by the waterfall, heavy snowflakes were blowing in on the wind. Thankfully the wind was on my back, so didn't hamper progress; it would have been torture to walk into the wind today.

 

With altitude loss, came a temperature increase and soon the snowflakes became heavy rain. I was only another ten minutes from the van, but by the time I got there I was drenched - but dry on the inside thanks to the Rab waterproofs, I might add. Another winter line ticked.