Snowdonia Walks
Snowdon
Date: 3rd August 2006
Distance: 8 miles
Ascent: 3450 feet
Time: 5 hour 45 minutes
With: Lisa
Start Grid Ref: SH647556
Walk Summary:
Snowdon via the Pyg Track (and a quick detour to Crib y Dddysgl) returning over the twin topped Y Lliwedd.
Route Summary: Pen-y-Pass - Pyg Track - Bwlch Glas - Crib y Ddysgl - Bwlch Glas - Snowdon - Bwlch Ciliau - Y Lliwedd - Lliwedd Bach - Llyn Llydaw - Miner's Track - Pen-y-Pass.
Pictures:
1. The view down the Llanberis Pass
2. Looking up to Crib Goch - one for another time?
3. Lisa backed by Llyn Llydaw and Y LLiwedd
4. On the Pyg Track backed by Snowdon and Glaslyn
5. Lisa climbing the Pyg Track
6. Snowdon
7. The trig point on Crib y Ddrysgl
8. Snowdon from Crib y Ddrysgl - spot the train!
9. Looking down on Y Lliwedd from the top of Snowdon
10. Llyn Llydaw
11. Lisa on Y Lliwedd
12. Y Lliwedd's East Peak
13. Lliwedd Bach
14. Looking back to Y Lliwedd and Snowdon
15. On Lliwedd Bach
Walk Detail: The forecast for our weekend's camping in Snowdonia was particularly bad and I had doubts whether we would get to do Snowdon all. Indeed I still had doubts right up until I parked the car at Pen-y-Pass. Fortunately Lisa was keen to do the walk regardless and get ting out of the car to set out proved to be an excellent decision.
Our route up was via the Pyg Track which proved to be nicely graded and broke up the climbing. It also gave us a real wow moment when we crossed Bwlch y Moch to gain the sudden view of Llyn Llydaw backed by the impressive Y Lliwedd. Further round Snowdon was revealed more gradually though no less impressively. We even managed to time our arrival at the top of the Pyg Track with the train going past.
At this point, while Lisa continued up to Snowdon itself, I made a detour to go and bag Crib y Ddrysgl which was an easy climb from Bwlch Glas, the reward being fine views looking back to Snowdon and also down on Crib Goch. By the time I returned to Bwlch Glas Lisa had made it on to the top of Snowdon and I could see her waving from the summit. The summit of Snowdon itself was excellent in terms of size, shape and views but unfortunately there was also the crowds, flies and the delipadated station building.
As we headed for the Y Lliwedd ridge it was with some trepidation, as the mountain had looked quite daunting from the Pyg Track. As we got closer our fears were eased somewhat by the sight of a clear path climbing up it. The initial descent from Snowdon was a bit tricky here and we had to be careful where we put our feet due to loose stones. The ridge from Bwlch y Saethau to Y Lliwedd was delightful though and we even had a bit of sunshine.
After worrying about the path up Y Lliwedd it was ironic that we in fact hardly used it and for the most part scrambled up near the edge which gave us some intimate views of the very steep and sudden drop on that side down into the valley. Both tops were excellent and gave very good views and had the added bonus of being much quieter than Snowdon. Lliwedd Bach was also a nice top and on closer inspection was much more dramatic than it looked either from the Pyg Track or from Y Lliwedd itself.
Again the descent from Lliwedd Bach had to be a cautious one due to loose stones, steepness and the odd bit of scrambling. I'd been looking forward to taking some photos from the shores of Llyn Llydaw but these were thwarted to a certain extent by an incredible congregation of youths who were engaged throwing stones into the lake.
After heading over to the causeway to get some pictures without the party of stone throwers in them we headed back along the Miner’s Path enjoying as we did so the views Llyn Teyrn. Lisa rated this as one of her favourite walks so far and I’d certainly be inclined to agree - the scenery was awe inspiring and a perfect introduction to Snowdonia.
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