What a weekend! Wild camping up on the Molwyns on Friday night the wind was so strong that despite having the tend held down with rocks I had two guy ropes snap in the 60 mph winds which ravaged the area. See photo of the half flat tent! After only 3 hrs sleep fully dressed and packed ready to evacuate if necessary my weekend plans for two nights out had to be revised somewhat! I refused a bit of a breeze to spoil my time on the hills though and spent a very enjoyable day exploring some of the more remote and 'hidden' valleys to the NW of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Having scaled Moel Druman and then Allt Fawr I spent a few hours in the upper headwaters of the Afon LLedr which eventually runs into the Afon Llugwy at Betwys Y Coed. Ending the day by a fast decent of the path past Llyn Llagi to the road I had time to get into Betwys Y Coed for some spare tent pegs and guy ropes. Unfortunately under closer inspection the tent was more damaged than I thought so a B&B beckoned for the night! Sunday 08.30 and I was on Snowdon ready to have a go at the full Snowdon Horseshoe which I did in 5hrs 50mins. Crib Goch was its usual hairy self and even in a light breeze the central section was a nervous scramble. All in all I felt I had redeemed my lack of two nights out by a reasonable time round the Horseshoe and returned home pretty satisfied with a good weekend out!
Parked up the car near the famous Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel (famed as the place Edmond Hilary used as his base for climbing before he tackled Everest). Navigating my way across the bogs and rough ground tothe South I spend a hard day locating small and interesting features across the rolling slopes of Carnedd y Cribau before summiting Moel Merich and a breathtaking view across Snowdonia. Wild camped in a small valley leading from Llyn yr Adar overlooking Llyn Llagi. Day two was a gentle start and a leisurely breakfast with the spectacular valleys below cloaked in early morning mist. Climbed Cnicht (or the rather affectionately referred to Wales Matterhorn due to its sharp peak appearance) and then set off back down to Llyn yr Adar before skirting the ridge above Llyn Coch. The long walk back to the car was via the Ysgafell Wen ridge and the top of Carnedd y Cribau. All in all a fantastic two days of warm, almost perfect visibility and exhilarating walking. I camped alone, walked alone and only met four people over the whole weekend. I guess the hoards on Snowdon were almost oblivious of this wonderland of crags and ridges only a few miles away. Thankfully the vast majority of people never pass this was! May that continue for many years to come which leaves the beauty to the intrepid and adventurous few!
