So Monday dawned bright and breezy, I picked Toby up and we drove round to Ogwen to head up the Cneifion Arete, a grade 3 scramble. However as we drove over the Pen y Pass and past the Pen y Gwryd huge black clouds could be seen billowing up the valley behind us. so we drove hoping to out run the weather. Needless to say we failed at that. As we drove past Tryfan we came across Sarah and Rachel having breakfast and looking bemused at the weather, we pulled in for a chat.
I expressed my hesitations about heading up the scramble in such awful weather. Sarah told me to man up and get on with it so Toby and I jumped back into the BBV and made our way to Ogwen Cottage.
I expressed my hesitations about heading up the scramble in such awful weather. Sarah told me to man up and get on with it so Toby and I jumped back into the BBV and made our way to Ogwen Cottage.
Toby strides off towards Cwm Cneifion
The walk up to the start of the Cneifion Arete takes in some beautiful scenery and our spirits lifted as some blue sky appeared above Idwal. We met a tribe of ferrel goats who posed politely for photos. Finally we arrived at the foot of the Arete. It was time for a quick bite to eat and to gear up.
This was Toby's first time on a high graded scramble, the plan was to move together with me leading the route. As I tied into the rope the heavens opened and rain poured down. Joy.
The first section of the route involves climbing a steep(ish) wall but on big holds. In summer its a joy to scamper up. In the rain, not so much. And boy did it rain!
Over the course of the next 2 hours it rained, Sleeted, hailed and finally snowed. Oh and the wind was relentless. At points the winds were blowing strongly enough that I stuck my head over the ridge, to be battered by the wind and forced to beat a hasty retreat below the arete. We climbed relatively quickly although the cold and wet slowly sapped our energy.
This was Toby's first time on a high graded scramble, the plan was to move together with me leading the route. As I tied into the rope the heavens opened and rain poured down. Joy.
The first section of the route involves climbing a steep(ish) wall but on big holds. In summer its a joy to scamper up. In the rain, not so much. And boy did it rain!
Over the course of the next 2 hours it rained, Sleeted, hailed and finally snowed. Oh and the wind was relentless. At points the winds were blowing strongly enough that I stuck my head over the ridge, to be battered by the wind and forced to beat a hasty retreat below the arete. We climbed relatively quickly although the cold and wet slowly sapped our energy.
The Cneifion Arete
The climbing is truly spectacular and even in the bitter icy weather it was thoroughly enjoyable. Unfortunately the photos that I managed to snap during the climb, simply can't do it justice.
as the weather worsened moves that, in the summer, you wouldn't think twice about took on an altogether more daunting nature.
I'm sorry to admit that when I finally topped out on the large grassy plateau, know as the football pitch, on Y Gribin Ridge I was slightly relieved. Toby climbed up to join me. He looked drained. Given the weather and the exhaustion we were feeling, we decided to head down to the van and then over to the Siabod Cafe for coffee and cake to recover. Thus abandoning our plans to meet Sarah and Rachel under the Cantilever stone on the summit of Glyder Fach, we turned towards warmth and cake.
Much later once warm, caffeinated, and relaxed we cold both look back on the adventure with a sense of enjoyment.
as the weather worsened moves that, in the summer, you wouldn't think twice about took on an altogether more daunting nature.
I'm sorry to admit that when I finally topped out on the large grassy plateau, know as the football pitch, on Y Gribin Ridge I was slightly relieved. Toby climbed up to join me. He looked drained. Given the weather and the exhaustion we were feeling, we decided to head down to the van and then over to the Siabod Cafe for coffee and cake to recover. Thus abandoning our plans to meet Sarah and Rachel under the Cantilever stone on the summit of Glyder Fach, we turned towards warmth and cake.
Much later once warm, caffeinated, and relaxed we cold both look back on the adventure with a sense of enjoyment.
Toby follows up the first pitch
Toby stepping round the Arete
Wet but happy back at the Van