Well as this year comes to a close I was hoping to get out between Christmas and the new year as I would be working up to and including 31st December and there was a quiet spell weather wise that looked promising. As the days disappeared, Wednesday 28th December was looking more likely to be the day to get out. I had a couple of walks in mind and as the weather was going to be as near perfect as it could be at this time, a sunny blue sky day with little wind, I decided to finish the year on my favorite Snowdonia Mountain, Moel Siabod. As I have put a few trip reports of this particular mountain on here before, this is more of a short description with a few photo's and video of the day.
I started from the Bryn Glo car park at Pont Cyfyn and made my way over the Afon Conwy and up the steep lane, past the Siabod Cottages and on to the good track that heads for the disused quarry under the East Ridge descent path. This time I decided to again turn off before the unamed quarry Llyn and head up towards some rocky outcrops and come on the opposite side of Llyn y Foel that offer's some great views of Moel Siabod.
My route for the day
Moel Siabod ahead
Moel Siabod from the unnamed quarry Llyn
Following a faint sheep track/path between the rocky outcrops
Looking back down on the quarry Llyn
On reaching the top of the outcrop there are some great views of Moel Siabod from a different perspective. Following the usual route takes you up past the old quarry and then past Llyn y Foel and the path right under the descent ridge. The way I went, on the otherside of the Llyn, gives a great view of the Daear Ddu ridge and the East ridge descent in all its glory and on a day like this, was a great sight.
Soaking up the view of Moel Siabod
Llyn y Foel and Moel Siabod
Llyn y Foel dam wall
The start of the Daear Ddu Ridge
The ridge is a delightful easy scramble with a few lines to choose from and as always I try and stay close to the edge and in this fine dry weather it's a joy. Topping out at the summit wasn't as bad as I thought even though the wind was icy it wasn't really that strong and I managed to find a good spot for a pic-nic without being ice blasted :-)
Lots of foot and hand holds on the scramble
The exciting ridge to the summit
View back down to Llyn y Foel
Keeping next to the edge for maximum excitement
The last of the scramble in summer like sky
View down from near the top of the scramble
Moel Siabod Summit trig point
Summit view of Snowdon, Glyderau & Carneddau Mountains
Moel Siabod summit Trig
After about forty minutes I made my way down over the boulder strewn East Ridge, which again is a joy to do in these conditions. The panoramic views are some of the best in this part of Snowdonia as you can see for miles in every direction. Its also a joy clambouring about the boulder field that just seems to keep on going on and on and on :-) and it's also where my camera packed up so time for a new one!
Up and over we go
View down on Llyn y Foel
Looking back to the summit
Its a long way down
Views go on for miles
Views go on for miles
Video of the summit and East Ridge
Thanks Siabod, till next time :-)
And so another brilliant day on Moel Siabod, on a gloriously sunny December day to finish off 2016 in style. Here's hoping 2017 is half as good as 2016
Very Nice, it was a cracking day on the 28th I was walking on the Carneddau that day. Shows how mild it was been no snow at all.
ReplyDeleteYes, cracking day indeed. Hope for some of the same in the coming year again :-)
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