Rhinog Fach, South Ridge

With a keen sense of adventure and plenty of warm clothes, we set off to explore one of the lesser frequented areas of Snowdonia - The Rhinogs. These are the mountains between the main Snowdon massif and Cader Idris. Just getting to the end of the tarmac was an adventure in itself, finishing with about 5km of single track, winding lane up to the lonely farm at the end of Cwm Nantcol. After furnishing the friendly farmer with two gold coins to allow us to leave the car, he pointed out the start of the footpath. It was a very wet and boggy path, but with just enough stepping stones to see up into the hills with dry socks. Our guide book had warned that 'only grief will be found by those straying from the path here'. It seemed sound advice as we bashed our way onwards and gradually upwards.

Not that there had been much in the way of habitation, down in the valley, but once we gained the higher areas, it felt ever so remote. Just a few old walls and a wobbly stile to show that we weren't the first people to discover the mountain.

A smaller and steeper path to the south, eventually brought us up to Llyn Hywel, below Rhinog Fach.

We stopped here for some much needed food and drink. Although the skies remained mostly clear, it was bitterly cold, with a wind chill of well below freezing level. It would have made an idyllic camp a few months ago, but today, we just huddled by some rocks while we ate a sandwich and surveyed our objective - the south ridge of Rhinog Fach. (the right-hand summit skyline).

It didn't take long to scramble up the scree slopes to the base of the ridge, where we geared up with helmets and rope. On closer inspection, the ridge is made of several broken rocky ribs; some of which looked more solid than others. We chose the best looking way and headed off. We climbed in multiple short pitches to keep us both moving and to make use of any sheltered areas we came across as on one side of the ridge, the wind was vicious and threatened to blow us off it. From the ridge, the views were excellent and we could see right across and over the Lleyn Peninsular and Bardsey Island.

Before long, we reached the summit and sheltered on the lee side of some boulders to take in the view.

All that remained was the long walk down. Instead of following the guidebook descent, which essentially set off in the wrong direction for us, we spotted another path to the north, that looked more direct. We took the gamble, and thankfully it paid off.

Back in the lower Cwm, we were at least sheltered from the wind and began to warm up a tad.

The walkout was glorious. The sun was low in the sky, the light felt warm and the clarity of the air was superb.

We arrived back, just as the creeping shadows reached the car, feeling content and exhausted. It had been a great exploration of somewhere new, yet not so far away...

First Snow of Winter

Having returned and unpacked from the Peak District we've decided to stay put and spend a few days in and around the local neighborhood. After a very wet weekend, the skies finally cleared to reveal a little dusting of snow upon the tops of the mountains here.

We didn't quite get a frost, but out of the direct sunshine it's very cold. Not rock climbing weather and barely cycle touring weather. We did go out on the bikes though, to visit friends and even had tea out on the sheltered sunny terrace in Rhiwlas.

On Monday, we went up to Castle Inn Quarry as it looked like it would be sheltered from the cold winds. We were right and enjoyed the feeling of a Spanish rock climbing holiday in the warm sunshine.

The climbing is really convenient and you really don't have to walk far from the car!

Castle Inn Quarry:

- Route 1, 5**

- Route 2, 6a*

- Appenzeller, 5+

- Smartie, 5+

The Return to Crowdon Brook

A fantastic trip down memory lane, to the site of my undergraduate dissertation research project - Crowden Brook, above Edale and below Kinderscout. Back in 2001-02, I made several visits here to monitor erosion on the river banks as part of my degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University. Sometimes I went by myself, but usually, I was accompanied by a fellow academic, explorer and/or researcher. The journey from Liverpool, would have been by train to Edale station, before a two-kilometer walk to the base of the brook and the study site. This time (now being the owner of a motor vehicle), we parked in Edale. To save the walk to the end of the road, Dudley gave Mom a lift. There wasn't room for me in the car, so I hitched a lift, by sitting on the boot and gripped on with my fingertips!

Having returned to The Cottage and dug out said dissertation, I was glad to see that all the important people got a mention in the acknowledgments.

Once on the path, we set off upstream, trying to remember where and what we used to measure. I was a damp and misty start, but not raining.

Every now and then we got a glimpse of Crowden Towers up at the top of the mountain and here and there, we found a few spots that we thought we recognized?

One boulder, that gave us shelter from a memorable snowstorm was still there though.

As was the small holly tree, which has grown significantly over the years.

And there had certainly been a bit of additional erosion in places since my study.

We didn't get right up to the summit, but both felt that we'd been far enough, especially when some raindrops started to fall. It was wet enough to get jackets on, but didn't last for long.

Happily, we made our way back down the river to same farm entrance that we'd passed, just as enthusiastically in 2001, as this older photo shows!

The only thing left to do was make our way back along the road to Edale, (where Dudley had been patiently awaiting our return).

With boots off, we all decided that it would only be right to go for a debrief in The Rambler and warm ourselves up with a nice hot lunch. As we sat down at a table, we noticed that it had started pouring with rain outside. Nice timing.

A cup of tea, some soup, a hot meal and a coffee later, we emerged back outside to find some afternoon sunshine was putting in a late appearance. We went our separate ways at Edale and as I drove back up and over the hill, I stopped and jumped out of the van to take in the view that had now appeared.

Traffic and torrential rain made the drive home a slow one, but I arrived back at The Cottage later that night and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Shining Tor Hike & Newstones Bouldering

Everyone went their separate ways today. We set off for the Roaches in beautiful weather, only to have the freezing mist roll in and spoil the plan! After checking out Harper Hill (also cold and misty), we opted for a hike up Shining Tor. Apparently, there are good views from up there.

There was a nice summit bench though, so we had a bit of lunch, sheltered from the wind.

Found a very small horse on the way back down.

Given that it was so cold, we resorted to bouldering again and I got quite into it at another new venue for me - Newstones. Rough rock and sore fingers limited the time I had there!

Windgather Rocks

Having not climbed at Windgather since about 2002, I went there twice today! 

The morning session was a 'guys trip', which was a little cold and very breezy on the tops.

In the late afternoon, Clare and I returned and got in three great routes, before sunset. 

Got back to the pad just in time for some especially fine pre-dinner drinks

Windgather Rocks:

- Misspissippi Cracks, S4a**

- High Buttress Arete, D**

- Nose Direct, HVD**

Ramshaw Rocks & The Roaches

Further down the road, by the Winking Man pub, was Ramshaw Rocks - another new venue for me. The classic climb there sounded right up our street, so we went to investigate.

It's a different style of climbing that feels a little precarious at first. We enjoyed the route, but it was cold!

We returned to the van and drove further south to the Roaches.

It felt even colder here, so made a brew to warm back up.

We decided that it was too green/damp/cold to embark on any drama on the main cliff, so went bouldering at the base instead.

Got a good football tournament going in the evening back at base, which warmed me back up.

Ramshaw Rocks

- Boomerang, VD***

Gibb Tor

The closest rocks to Thirkelow, where we've been staying were at Gibb Tor. I'd never been, so nipped out in the morning to check them out.

It's a really peaceful spot, with some finger shredding rough grit and steep problems.

Once the young'uns had been introduced to the guidebook, we returned in the afternoon for a spot of climbing, although by then the mist had rolled back in...

Party in the Peak - 70th Celebrations

I woke up a little disorientated with a different view. It took me a little while to remember that we'd traveled last night over to the Peak District. The mist was down and there wasn't much to see at first.

Up above the converted barn where we were staying, provided a good mountaineering objective for some of the younger residents and we had a fun afternoon scrambling over rocks and even finding a small cave.

Saturday night was party night, with a catered meal and everybody suitably attired.

It was a fabulous 70th Birthday celebration and given that I think the last time we were all on a family holiday together was in 1994, we tried our very best to make sure that we got a family portrait to mark the occasion.