A few weeks ago, Terri, my daughter, asked me if I wanted to go for a walk, not a boring walk but a good walk in the mountains :-) After a bit of thought I suggested that we revisit the Glyderau mountains in Snowdonia, Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr, that we did almost two years ago to the day. On that day, it was a surprise walk as she presented me with a gift of a pair of cuff-links to celebrate Fathers Day and for me to wear at her forthcoming wedding later that year. That walk should of been on Fathers Day 2013 but the weather that day meant we had to postpone it for a few weeks and also change the area as I had wanted to visit Scafell Pike in the Lake District. We should of stood on the Cantilever that day but as there was a thick mist about the summit we missed that land mark so this walk was to make up for that. CLICK HERE FOR A SUPRISE IN THE GLYDERAU
The route we took was the more conventional one as we started at the Ogwen Valley visitor Centre and followed the well laid out path up to the wall at Bwlch Tryfan and then the Miners Path up to Llyn Caseg Fraith. We came across ROCKY on our way up, the keeper of Ogwen and I was lucky to escape it's clutches, a near miss!!
Our route for the day
On the main path out from the visitor centre
A patch of light brightens up the overcast morning
Hello Rocky :-)
Just managed to wrestle free :-)
On the approach to Bwlch Tryfan
Following the Miners Path
It was here, just as we started on the miners path that the weather changed from being quite settled to suddenly very windy with a bit of rain. Although the clouds kept on rolling in and out up to now the rain had stayed away and thankfully it was only a brief 20 minute shower, enough to make us put waterproofs on but by the time we reached the Llyn it had blown over and become quite bright, we were hopeful of some good views!!
Here comes the rain
Looking back towards a misty Tryfan
All clear at the top of the miners path with a distant Moel Siabod and Foel Goch in the foreground
From here it was quite a straight forward up hill walk to the rocky summit of Glyder Fach and onto the Cantilever Stone :-) Luckily for us, there was another couple there so we got them to take our photo and we took theirs. A bit misty and very windy, infact the wind here was quite strong with a bite to it and despite all the rocks and boulders there isn't much shelter to be had so after a few photos we haeded off towards Castell y Gwynt aka Castle Of the Winds, where today it lived up to its name!
From Tryfan to Moel Siabod
The rocky way up to Glyder Fach
On the Cantilever Stone
Castell y Gwynt aka Castle Of the Winds
Having a play on the Castle
A misty view down to Llyn Bochlwyd from the top of the castle
After a bit of playing on the rocky Castle, it was on towards the even more rocky summit of Glyder Fawr, the highest point in the Glyderau @ 3283ft and the fifth highest in Wales. The weather by now had cleared up and we were getting some good views all roud. It was still windy with a distinct chill to it but at least we found shelter where we settled down for a bite to eat while taking in the fine views.
Looking back on a now clear Castell y Gwynt
Clear way forward on to Glyder Fawr
A clear view down to Llyn Bochlwyd
On the approach to Glyder Fawr's rocky summit
Looking back towards Glyder Fach from Glyder Fawr
The heart of Snowdonia
Taking shelter from the wind
After a good rest we made our way down the horrible scree slope to Llyn y Cwm before making our way down the Devils Kitchen and the shore of Llyn Idwal
Coming off Glyder Fawr on the approach to the scree slope down
Looking across to a cloud covered Snowdon
On the steep scree descent with Y Garn opposite
Clear views across to the Carneddau and Tryfan on the right
Llyn Y Cwn
Great views from the top of the devils kitchen path down to Llyn Idwal and across to Pen y Ole Wen
Looking up to the Devils Kitchen
Llyn Idwal
The last bit of the walk is done on an easy to follow and well laid out path straight back to the Visitor Centre in the Ogwen Valley. After a misty start with a little rain, the day brightened up although quite windy especially on the summits but ended in bright sunshine which was quite warm Another great day out in the mountains of Snowdonia and a great way to spend Fathers Day with my daughter. Thanks Terri x :-)
This is a repeat of a walk I did last year with some members off the WALKERS FORUM Last year it was hot and humid with good views and visibility for the most part until we did the traverse path round GREAT GABLE, known as the Gable Girdle, on which there are great views down both Ennerdale & Wasdale valley's. You also pass under famous climbing rocks such as Napes Needle and Sphinx Rock, to name two and we did Thread the Needle :-) Also, like last year we started at Seathwaite farm and made our way up Sour Milk Ghyll, under the Hanging Stone and onto BASE BROWN before the ascent on to GREEN GABLE
Our Route For The Day
Up following Sour Milk Ghyll to Base Brown
Sour Milk Ghyll Falls
On Top Of Sour Milk Ghyll
The Hanging Stone From Below
Hanging Stone From Above With Seathwaite Valley Below
View from Base Brown towards Green Gable
Green Gable Summit with the rocky face of Great Gable
Green Gable Summit view down Ennerdale Valley
From here we followed a faint path along the scree path that bought us out at the col and a junction of paths from various directions and we met up with Catherine and her three delightful dogs who always enjoy a good walk in the mountains. That made a total of 5 people and 4 dogs, and Frankie, the male, didn't know where to put himself half the time as one of the girls was in season :-)
The path took us round the scree and rocky slopes of Great Gable and beneath the rock climbing territory where there were on or two enjoying the conditions and where me and Richard enjoyed a little scramble "through the Needle" Not for everyone and great care must be taken as it's a short rock climb through the gap behind Napes Needle.
Looking back towards Green Gable from the scree path
Meeting up with Dib's and her dogs
Wasdale Valley from the scree path
Wasdale & Wastwater from the scree path
Approaching the Needle with some climbers enjoying the day
The scramble upto the Needle
Looking down the thread
The scramble down the otherside
After the excitment of the Needle, we made our way round to Styhead and the junction of paths where we were met by a small herd or cattle that free roam this area and one of them seemed to be getting a bit friendly, or she was after my last bit of food!! This is where we also said goodbye to Dib's and the dogs as she made her ascent back down to wasdale while we made our descent back down to Seathwaite by way of the Taylor Force Waterfalls which were looking quite good today after a bit of rain over the last few days.
Great views across to the Scafell Range
More climbers enjoying the day
Styhead Cattle station
Helloooooo
Our route past Styhead Tarn
On the rocky path to Taylor Force Ghyll
Taylor Force Ghyll
Taylor Force Ghyll
Back to the start some eight hours later
Well another great day out with good people. My thanks to Jacklyn, Colin, Catherine all the dogs and Richard who organised the walk.
Great day
Cheers :-)
