We went on a bit of a new exploration today around our local mountain 'Yr Elen'. It was slightly overcast as we set out from Bethesda, but incredibly warm still. This was after a delightful slow Sunday 'al fresco' breakfast at The Cottage sunshine of course. There are very few times, hiking in Snowdonia where short and trainers are the appropriate attire!
We traversed around the back side of Yr Elen, which is hidden from sight from most viewpoints (including along The Cottage track). I'd only ever been in the valley once, and that was by ski from a different direction, so it all felt new.
It was nice to have a different scene - it was somewhat holidayesque, despite only being a few hours walk from home.
The ground was so dry, we were fine walking in trainers, where usually it's soaking underfoot, but at the back of the Cwm, there was a wet cliff that was flush with bright green plants and dripping with water.
It was so vibrant looked like something out of the lost world.
Finally, we arrived at the hidden lake of Ffynnon Caseg, where I had hoped we might be able to swim. The cliff in the background (the right-hand gully) was what I had climbed in winter on my previous visit when the lake was iced over. As it turned out, the lake was too shallow, very still and full of spooky weeds to provide any wild swimming opportunity. In any case, it had now clouded over and there were even a couple of raindrops while we had lunch by the water's edge.
We ascended Yr Elen by the east ridge, which was great, going fast to begin with at the start, to avid a few clouds of midges.
The view on top was great. Cloud was just touching down on Llwyllen and there was just enough of a breath of wind to keep the midges away.
We descended the 'homeward side' of the mountain and beelined straight for the river to cool off! We found a section deep enough for a quick dip that was so refreshing! The water felt warm. Seriously!
Then lower downstream, we found another place which was better/deeper for swimming so got straight back in.
Gotta make the most of the conditions! It really has been an unprecedented period of fine weather.
Cottage pancakes and coffees were being served up just over an hour later to finish off a fantastic day of local explorations. We saw one distant hiker all day, as well as a peregrine falcon, plenty of sheep and a wild pony. I suspect it was a different scene over the valley on Snowdon today!
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