Snowdonia Winter Mountaineering

There was an alpine feel in Snowdonia this morning, with flowers blooming in the valleys and a dazzling cover of fresh white snow on the tops.

I was out with a group of very keen students and we'd planned to climb a peak in the Carneddau - however looking over towards Tryfan, we could see the glistening white ridge of Y Garn. The sight (just right of Tryfan in the photo below), was compelling enough for us to change plans and go for it.

 

Once up into Cwm Idwal, it was clear that we weren't going to be disappointed, as a lot of fresh snow had fallen - all we had to do was sweat our way up to the snow line!

 

Once up high, we maintained a steady pace and were soon looking back down onto Tryfan. Our eyes were drawn to the sky, where weirdly smooth clouds were creating some eery shapes.

 

Up on the ridge proper, we were exposed to the wind, which was blowing spindrift around so much that at times we couldn't see our feet!

 

The snow was drifting deeply on the ridge and at times we were sinking/wading up to waist deep in our efforts to continue to gain height.

 

The big cornices that I'd seen last week, were still hanging on above the gullies, so we gave them a very wide berth as we made the final steps up to the summit, where the views were spectacular.

 

The snow really picks out features that you don't see in summer as clearly - the rock strata on Pen yr ole Wen, on the opposite valley was obvious to point out today.

 

The skies began to darken as we began our descent - there was a storm forecast to arrive between 3pm and 5pm, so I was keen not to hang around too long on the top. As we'd already bulldozed a track up one side of the mountain, we decided it would be quicker and less tiring to return the same way rather than to carry on with a traverse of the peak.

 

We had to carefully manage the descent to avoid the loaded slopes and corniced tops.

 

Once we were on a safer looking slope, we had the view (see below) of these untouched snow fields below us. After assessing the risks, I went first, making a huge bum-slide (in sections) down to the left hand of the lakes in the photo! One by one, the group followed, whooping with the excitement, exhilaration and delight of not having to walk back down!

 

Before too long, we were back on the edge of the snow line and heading back down into Spring.

We made it to Ogwen Cottage just in time to have a de-brief sitting outside on the benches in a sudden burst of sunshine, then by the time we drove away, it started spotting with rain! Perfect timing.