MOEL SIABOD 16-1-2012

With the recent weather being a bit of a bonus, we decided to take full advantage of our day off and head to Snowdonia and an old favourite of mine, Moel Siabod. After checking the forecast for any unlikely major weather change, we were packed and ready to leave just before 7am. Just short of two hours later saw us parked up at the Plas y Brenin Mountain Centre for the first photo of the day looking across the twin lakes of Lliynnau Mymbyr with just a hint of ice on the water and with next to no breeze making it a calm start to the day.

We made our way back to the cafe car park on the A5 at Capel Curig, parked up, got boots, hats & gloves on, then started on our way at 9.10am. Across the road, over the bridge above the Afron Lugwy and up the steep climb of the farm track. 15 minutes later saw us come out of the shelter of the trees over the kissing gates and on to the well defined track

Moel Siabod looking as grand as ever in the bright January sun and clear blue sky

As we made our way along the not so muddy track which was frozen, the unamed Llyn soon came into view, sparkling in the morning sun and it's surroundings still frosted over where the sun had not yet reached

We made our way round to the old slate quarry buildings and had a break among the ruins taking in the views of the Llyn and beyond

We then made our way up past the deep quarry pool

and followed the dried and slightly iced over rough track,

that brings you up to the top, over looking Llyn y Foel

and the bottom of the Daear Ddu Ridge which was to be our ascent up to the summit

After making our way around the bog field, which was still quite boggy in places despite the otherwise frozen conditions, it was time for the exciting scramble up the Daear Ddu Ridge

This is a great way to be adventurous in that there are quite a few lines of ascent. I stuck closer to the edge than Jill as she made her way up one of the many gullies and picking up tracks with plenty of foot and hand holds.

We reached the summit after one and half hours taking in all the splendid views as we climbed. The views from Moel Siabod summit on a clear day like this are second to none. All the major massif's in clear view, with the Snowdon Horseshoe the most eye catching

Looking north, across towards the Glyders, Tryfan and the Carneddau

Looking back towards a more hazy looking Southern Snowdonia

Considering the bright and sunny weather, there was quite a breeze blowing on the summit with quite a bite to it so we took refuge in the shelter for a hot drink and a bite to eat. We made our way down going over the humped ridge which is primarly made up of boulders and in this sort of weather is the most rewarding descent with the whole of Snowdonia and more in view, making it one of the more pleasent ways down a mountain. There are one or two places where you go up and down which adds to the fun to be had.

Once we get to the end of the ridge its mainly straight down following a slight path and stream bed. Its a bit rough in places with loose scree and a few rocks and boulders and in this weather there was quite a bit of ice. It is straight forward but care must be taken. Again the views make it more enjoyable and you are soon back down and joining up with the same path as the ascent.

We joined the the main track that takes us back towards the car park just as the sun was dissapearing behind Moel Siabod

We crossed over the bridge and back to the car at 15.40, so a good six and half hours on this great mountain with the most fantastic views of the majority of Snowdonia

We had time to get another photo of the Snowdon Horseshoe as the sun was going down to finish a perfect day out one what has become my favourite Snowdonia mountain, Moel Siabod.

A short video on reaching the summit