Saturday 1 December 2012

Snow and Sunshine on The Glyders

It was touch and go this week as to whether we were going to get out on Friday, as Sharon has been suffering with a real heavy cold all week ( which no doubt I will get 10x worse!!) but she felt better by Thursday evening, and after seeing some photos posted on Thursday evening of the snowy conditions in Snowdonia, we were off first thing Friday morning...destination the Ogwen valley.

Our route for the walk was decided last minute when we arrived, but having looked at the stunning view up from Ogwen cottage we decided to head into one of our favourite places, Cwm Idwal, from here it was up Devils Kitchen, pausing for a coffee break before heading up the scree slope, that today was a snow slope onto Glyder Fawr.

The views across to the Snowdon range were awesome, the air was so cold and clear visibilty was brilliant for photography. After a nice guy offered to take our picture on the top of Glyder Fawr, we headed across to Glyder Fach, passing Castell Y Gwynt, one of Sharons favourites, and I managed to get the photo she's always wanted with Snowdon in the background.

Our route of descent was down the steep scree slope at the side of Bristly Ridge, this was a bit ropey as it was covered with snow, and at times was quite tricky, but the crampons and ice axe made it a lot easier!!
And from the foot of the south side of Tryfan, it was the long walk back down to Ogwen Cottage in the fading afternoon light.

All our friends know that we are not blessed with good weather days that often, so for us it was an amazing day, whenever or wherever we walk we have a great time, but on days like this it is extra special, a great day in the place we both love so much.

I took 300+ photos, a small selection to follow, we hope you enjoy and welcome your comments.

Tryfan from the layby on the A5 at the start of the walk

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Amazing reflection of Cwm Idwal in llyn Idwal

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Our route up through Devils Kitchen

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The leap of faith across the waterfall

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Pen Yr Ole Wen reflected in Llyn Idwal

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Lots of snow up on the Carneddau opposite

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We couldnt get enough of this stunning view across Cwm Idwal

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Up above the snow line as we exit Devils Kitchen, time for a coffee!!

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climbing the snow slope onto Glyder Fawr

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A passing helicopter crosses Y Garn

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Stunning views across to Snowdon

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How I would have loved to have been over on Crib Goch, Sharon wasnt too keen!!

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Snowdon

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The Ice Maiden finds her Ice shelter

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It was nice in the sun, but it was very cold as the ice on the rocks shows

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the two of us on Glyder Fawr

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looking down the Nant Ffrancon valley

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nice deep snow on our walk across to Glyder Fach

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Tryfan

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Sharon guards her castle.... Castell Y Gwynt

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The shot we wanted to get, Castell Y Gwynt with Snowdon in the background

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Crib Goch with Snowdon behind

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Another shot of Crib Goch

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The Cantilever, coated in Ice, as we hadnt put our crampons on yet, posing on top was out of the question

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The sun starts to drop behind the Snowdon Horseshoe

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Looking across to Pen Y Helgu Du

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Tryfan looks freezing as some cloud comes in around it

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Sharon taking a break as we come the snow slope at the side of Bristly Ridge, she loved it!!

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The setting sun lights up Pen Yr Ole Wen

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and lights up the sky over the Glyders

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12 comments:

  1. Wow! Fabulous walk in stunning scenery Gary & Sharon. Magnificent photos, as usual. I'm very envious, I love Snowdonia. Look forward to seeing more on this new blog :)

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  2. For us much as I love to lie on a hillside and soak up the summer sunshine, one of my favourite times in the hills is when they are covered in their fabulous winter colours! These are exceptional photos and it gives me great joy to look at them. I hope one day in the not to distant future I will get back out into the hills again. Thanks for sharing, Gary and Sharon! :)

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  3. Glad you enjoyed the photos Angela and Ingrid - and thank you for being our first two followers!

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  4. Stunning photographs!!! I'm so glad there are hardy souls like you and Sharon who travel to these heights and then share with us. Hope her cold is gone gone gone :)

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  5. Love the refections and the snow bound mountains. Fabulous photos.

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  6. Hard to believe it is real! The photos are wonderful, and I'm so impressed at your climbing skills!

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  7. What fabulous country!! Thank you for sharing your adventures!!

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  8. What an awesome set of photos. It's an area I have only started exploring this year and have instantly fallen in love with the wild, ruged feel of it. I would really love to get up there in the snow, beautiful!

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  9. These photos are spectacular, what a fabulous place to walk.

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  10. Happy New Year! Lang may yer lum reek!! ( hopes that correct!! I asked a friend!)

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