Scrambling with Jess

Well last night after a day of sport climbing in South Wales I drove back to Snowdonia to meet up with Jess Bradshaw. As any of you avid readers will know Jess and I have been known to climb together in the past. Over dinner in her new house we hatched plans for a days scrambling in the Ogwen Valley. 

My head appearing over the Arete.

Jess belaying on the Arete.

We headed over to the Ogwen valley and up into The Nameless Cwm. It was scorching! Last time we were here it was murky and wet, a generally miserable day. This was worlds apart. 

We got to the bottom of Cneifion Arete (Grade 3) and geared up. I took the first pitch and headed up, got to the stance and then Jess came up and took the second lead. Once on the ridge proper it was time to move together. I started climbing along the ridge placing gear as it was needed, once the rope went tight on Jess she started climbing up behind me. When I finally ran out of gear I belayed Jess up to me and she headed off up the ridge.  

Jess coming up the first pitch.

We carried on up the ridge like this till we topped out on the Y Gribin Ridge. Then we followed this up its the crest of the ridge (Grade 2) until we made it up to Glyder Fawr. This was the first time for me. Woooo! From here we dropped down then up towards Y Garn. Before we got there though we cut down the East Ridge of Y Garn (Grade 2). 

Me leading up the Arete.

We finally found ourself back at Llyn Idwal after a simply cracking day out! We wandered along the beach and picked up the path back to Idwal Cottage and stopped off for ice-cream and cold drinks at the cafe. the perfect end to the day! 

Me rigging a quick abseil to bypass a tricky step on the decent ridge.

Scrambling up Y Gribon ridge.

Jess climbing down the East Ridge. Those are incredibly bright trousers!