Hills: Snowdon, Carnedd Ugain, Moel Cynghorion, Foel Gron, Moel Eilio
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2011
Company: Just myself
Time: 6Hrs 15Mins
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
I set out this morning hoping to undertake the Snowdon Horseshoe, however, given the MWIS forecast was advising of 60mph gusts, my intention was to ascend the Pyg track as far as the junction leading to Crib Goch and make a decision there based on the actual wind level.
I caught the 08:50 Snowdon Sherpa from Swallow Falls to Pen-y-Pass – a fantastic bus service operating at a fixed fare of only £1.
The car park at Pen-y-Pass costs a massive £10 for the day - despite the car park being quite large, it was full this morning by 09:00.
Pen-y-pass (Crib Goch in background):
Once off the bus, I set off along the Pyg track. My pace today must have been quite fast as I passed countless tourists during the ascent and wasn't overtaken.
Pyg track information:
View along Pass of Llanberis:
It didn't take long for me to come to the conclusion that Snowdon is a fantastic mountain. The Pyg track has far superior views to the Ben Nevis tourist path.
Following the Pyg track:
Crib Goch (zoomed):
On reaching the junction leading off to Crib Goch, I almost instantly decided to abandon the Snowdon Horseshoe today, as the wind was gale force. I could see a handful of people on Crib Goch – couragious or a bit radio rental?
Instead I opted to continue to the summit of Snowdon via the Pyg track and then continue along the ridge towards Llanberis.
There are several nice llyns (lakes) passed during the ascent.
Llyn Llydaw:
Looking back from Pyg track:
Snowdon and Glaslyn:
Glaslyn and Snowdon:
Y Lliwedd forms part of the Snowdon Horseshoe.
Looking across to Y Lliwedd:
Looking back from high-up the Pyg track:
Approaching the ridge to Snowdon:
I was a bit surprised to find the Snowdon Mountain Railway line only a few feet away from the path leading to the summit.
Obelisk marking start/end of Pyg track:
Path leading to Snowdon summit, alongside the Snowdon Mountain Railway:
Crib y Ddysgl and Crib Goch ridge:
Approaching the summit of Snowdon:
Was nice to reach the summit but a bit unfortunate that it was in cloud - it was very windy standing at the toposcope. Snowdon is a Hewitt, Marilyn and HuMP. At 1085m, it is the equivalent of a Scottish Munro (a Furth).
Summit toposcope:
After visiting the toposcope, I had a quick look in the restaurant before heading for the next hill.
Inside the summit restaurant:
From the restaurant, I continued back to the top of the Pyg track. From there, Carnedd Ugain looked really close so I opted to ascend it too before heading along the Snowdon Ranger Path towards Llanberis.
Ascending Carnedd Ugain:
Carnedd Ugain is a Hewitt. At 1065m, Carnedd Ugain is the equivalent of a Scottish Munro (a Furth).
Trig point on Carnedd Ugain:
From Carnedd Ugain, I returned almost as far as the start of the Pyg track before taking the Snowdon Ranger Path.
Snowdon Mountain train (zoomed):
I continued along the Snowdon Ranger path for a couple of kilometres.
Descending the Snowdon Ranger Path:
At the col, below Moel Cynghorion, I left the Snowdon Ranger path and then followed a faint path, up grassy slopes, towards the summit of Moel Cynghorion. After walking on hard track all the way up and half the way down Snowdon, it was nice to start walking on grass.
Ascent of Moel Cynghorion:
Looking back towards Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas:
It didn't take long to reach the summit of Moel Cynghorion. Moel Eilio still looked a long way off with a few ups and downs to get to it. Moel Cynghorion is a Hewitt, Marilyn and HuMP. At 674m, it is the equivalent of a Scottish Fiona.
Looking towards Moel Eilio from the summit of Moel Cynghorion:
Llanberis (zoomed):
The descent was also pleasant, as was the whole traverse out to Moel Eilio and beyond.
Descending Moel Cynghorion:
Looking back to Moel Cynghorion from Foel Goch:
Small pile of stones at summit of Foel Goch:
Looking back towards a now distant Snowdon:
Ascending Foel Gron:
View South-West:
The next summit I reached was Foel Gron – the summit is a grassy knoll next to the fence.
Foel Gron is a Hewitt.
I was glad not to lose much height coming off of Foel Gron.
Moel Eilio from summit of Foel Gron:
Looking back towards Snowdon:
Compared with the small cairns marking the summits of Moel Cynghorion and Foel Goch, Moel Eilio has a very large windshelter.
Moel Eilio is another landmark hill for me – my 700th Marilyn.
Large summit windshelter on Moel Eilio:
Llanberis and Elidir Fawr:
From the summit of Moel Eilio, I followed a good track heading towards Llanberis.
Descent towards Llanberis:
By this point, my feet were telling me that I had undertaken a good walk. Seeing Snowdon now far in the distance also confirmed this.
Snowdon in the distance:
Looking back to Moel Eilio:
On reaching the track in the next photo, I followed it down into Llanberis.
Track leading to Llanberis:
From Llanberis, I caught the Snowdon Sherpa back to the Swallow Falls.
A superb day out despite the wind.