The Glyders Revistited 21-6-2015

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 :-)