A Week of Welsh Winter

What an incredible week it's been. With temperatures held well below freezing, generally blue sky days and not a breath of wind for days, we've had some magical days (and nights) out in the mountains of Snowdonia. A sudden rise in temperatures looks to end all that now, and I've just woken up to find the snow and ice that has encased The Cottage this last week all gone. The garden is all green again rather than white. Which means that we've got a lot of kit to move out of the kitchen and put away!

During the cold snap, we've been skiing, mountaineering, ice climbing and ascended a snowy gully route. Sometimes by day, but when work commitments got in the way, sometimes by night!

Here are a few of my favourite moments that I've just looked back on. The lake at Plas y Brenin (Llyn Mymbr), had beautiful patterns frozen into it and a fine view of Snowdon in the morning light in the distance.

It was thick enough to walk on but I did not dare go too far out!

This is the view down the Nant Ffrancon and Ogwen valley with a cloud inversion below Tryfan.

We followed Welsh Ibex (goats), up the ridge to Mynydd Perfedd under a low midday sun one day.

Skiing in champagne powder snow from Carnedd Dafydd.

Skiing down towards sea level! Just like our trip to Iceland a few years ago (sort of!).

Blue skies and snow. Happy days!

Banana Gully on Y Garn, illuminated by the light of a silvery full moon. An incredible experience.

Watching the ice begin to form on the lakes near Conwy Mountain (look closely at the bottom left hand of the photo to see the feathers of ice forming).

At this time of year, you don't need to be up early to see a corker sunrise! 08:25 in Llandudno!

Up on Y Garn in the first of the dusting of snow, looking across towards Tryfan.

Fun times indeed and happy to have been able to make the most of it, but now, we'll be packing away the ice axes and skis, and getting out shorts, t-shirts and rock climbing boots as our travels take us away from winter and south, to warmer cliffs over the next week....