A Redeye View: Moel Siabod Round 4-May-2019

Well this was yet another late decision to spend the weekend camping in Snowdonia again and take in my favourite mountain, MOEL SIABOD I've done this mountain several times on different ascents over the years and never tire of it. This weekend I was to ascend from another different route, one which I have looked at for a number of years after seeing photo's and reports from other walking friends I know, the latest of these being only a few weeks before I was to give it a go. I'd set up camp at a small campsite which sits under Moel Siabod but has a long walk along DYFFRYN MYMBRY and the main A4086, Caernarfon to Capel Curig road to the start of the main ascent path which is located near to the bus terminus opposite the PEN-Y-GWRYD HOTEL. Whilst I walked for about an hour along this road, you can catch the Sherpa Bus from Capel Curig to the start point but I missed it but wasn't too bothered as I had plenty of time. It also gave me the chance to see this part of the valley at a slower pace rather than motoring down in the car as it is a wonderful place that is dominated by the Snowdon Massif. It also takes you underneath the Glyderau range and Moel Siabod, a great drive and a fantastic walk.
I had set up camp on the Friday evening which was a bit cool but dry, only to wake on Saturday morning to find that the rain that had fallen in the night in the valley, had fallen as snow on the mountain tops! Although it was in the forecast, it was still a bit of a shock to see the top of Moel Siabod with a good covering of the white stuff along with the Glyderau and Snowdon but despite the wintry look on the tops, at least the sun was shining and set to continue for the day.

Home for the weekend

Route for the day

Moel Siabod with a covering of snow

Walking along the A4086 with Snowdon ahead

Looking back towards camp from the A4086

Walking along the A4086 with Snowdon ahead

Over the stile and the start of the off road walking

This area is the site of a former ROMAN CAMP although nothing is really recognisable now. There is a memorial bench situated in a fenced off part but not quite sure what this is for as I couldn't see the inscription on the bench. It is situated with a good view down Dyffryn Mymbry and over LLYN LOCKWOOD After a ten minute rest it was over the stile and the start of the ascent over the soft but not too boggy ground towards a rocky outcrop that gave some fine views of Snowdon and Nant Gwynant. As I was away from the path here, the ground was a little on the soft side after the overnight rain and snow but nothing to get me bogged down and as the way ahead was nice and clear I headed towards the rocky outcrops that led me onto the main grassy path where the steady climb followed a fence line all the way to a junction of stile and paths at Bwlch Rhiw r Ychen. Before I reached there, I went over another stile to the rocky outcrops of the Cefnycerrig ridge that gave some great views and another rest

Memorial bench with views down towards Capel Curig

A snow covered Moel Siabod

Onwards and upwards

The rocky outcrops of Cefnycerrig

Views down Dyffryn Mymbyr the from Cefnycerrig

Snowdon takes centre stage

Moel Siabod from Cefnycerrig

So after another rest it was onwards following the fence line to the junction and then up on the right hand path, again following a fence line that took me to the first summit of the day, Carnedd y Cribau. What a great vantage point with superb views all round and of course, Snowdon taking centre stage. There is a little light scramble involved over some rocks as you come over another stile. Nothing serious and there is a small lake that is easily bypassed as you climb up to the summit. Superb views down Nant Gwynant towards MOEL HEBOG that towers over Bedgellert and with the weather being clear it was well worth taking my time at this summit.

Junction point with Carnedd y Cribau ahead

Follow that fence line

Over the stile, over the rocks

Snowdon from across the water

Superb views down Nant Gwynant, across to Snowdon and Glyder Fawr

Across to Moel Siabod

Llynnau Diwaunydd below Moel Siabod

I hung around here for about half an hour before heading back the way I came to the junction and heading off up the long grassy bank off Bwlch y Maen and on to the rocky summit of Moel Siabod. Again, an easy to follow path as it follows a fence line virtually to the top. It seems that you have a choice of what side of the fence you want as there is a path either side, I took the left hand side for no particular reason other than that is where I was and couldn't be bothered with crossing over. There is a stile near the top that you have to cross to get up to the summit but other than that, if you're superstitious, it dosen't really matter, the views are just as good and the slog up is the same :-)

Following the fence line up to Moel Siabod

Llynnau Diwaunydd below Moel Siabod

Looking across to my walk across Glyderau on April 13th 2019

Looking Down Dyffryn Mymbyr

The way up to Moel Siabod

Across the stile to Moel Siabod

Summit views across to the Glyderau & Carneddau

Summit view zoomed on to a busy Snowdon summit

Summit view zoomed on to tryfan

Up to now, I hadn't seen that many other walkers, about half a dozen and 4 of those passed me on their way off Siabod, but as I reached the summit, there must of been about 20 others milling around and quite a few more making their way up the main Daerr Ddu Ridge. It was quite chilly up here with the wind blowing around but despite that, the snow from the morning had almost all melted away with just a few patches here and there. I made my way to the round shelter for a bit of lunch out of the wind before making my down via the East ridge. I didn't go all the way across the ridge, only about half way, as I was to make my way back down to the Plas Y Brenin Mountain Centre by going through the woods. If you like some mild scrambling and playing about on the rocks and boulders, then this ridge is just the job and despite the earlier snow, the boulders were on the whole, very dry, with just a few damp patches on the grassy bits. Always a good way off Siabod :-)

On the rocky East Ridge

Looking down on Llynnau Mymbyr with the Carneddau as the backdrop

Following the fenceline off the East Ridge

On the main path down to Plas y Brenin

Heading through the trees

Looking back up to the rocky East Ridge

Path through the trees

The bridge at Plas y Brenin

The classic view of Snowdon from Plas y Brenin

From here it was back on the to main A4086 where I crossed over the stile just past the lay-by and on to the path that takes me straight back to the start point and base camp. A great walk back to camp in the clear weather as you are surrounded by mountains. The Snowdon massif to the front, the Eastern Glyderau to the right, Moel Siabod and the sparkling Llynnau Mymbyr to the left. Got back to basecamp for a relax before watching the sun go down behind Snowdon...............