Y Garn
Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and Y Garn, Wales.
Height – 915 metres, 994 metres, 999 metres and 947 metres.
Map – OS Landranger 115.
Climbed - 1 November 2010. Time taken – 8.25 hours.
Distance – 12 kilometres. Ascent – 1230 metres.
Trip Report Details:
We returned to the A5 and parked midway along Llyn Ogwen in an official car park, which I was surprised to discover, was free. Again we were the first vehicle there although a few minutes later another car arrived.
It was a lovely sunny morning when we crossed the stile over a stone dyke at the back of the car park and climbed steeply on a man made path. As the gradient eased there appeared to be several routes towards Tryfan, which was our first challenge for the day. We selected the route that took us to and across the Nant Bochlwyd. This stream was followed up the west side of the waterfall and onto Llyn Bochlwyd where the adjacent hills were reflected in the water.
The path was followed to Bwich Tryfan where we crossed another stone dyke by a stile. It was a bit cooler here and there was an increase in the amount of cloud which was a bit disappointing. We followed the dyke towards Tryfan but discovered that it was best to be on the west side so re-crossed the dyke by another stile and made an approach to the rocks of Tryfan.
We commenced the ascent of this mountain with a few scrambles but as height was gained we realised that the further west we were the less scrambling was involved and in fact there was some scree paths to follow. Another stone dyke was reached and after a bit more scrambling we arrived on the summit with its two large boulders, Adam and Eve.
Shelter was found for a cup of coffee with views down to the north ridge before retracing our route to Bwich Tryfan, avoiding most of the scrambling. By this time the cloud had covered the top of Glyder Fach. A scree path led up the north ridge and into the cloud. Rocky outcrops including the Cantilever Stone were passed before a massive area of boulders was reached. On taking advice from a guide, who had just left the summit with his group, we approached from the west side, which was apparently easier, and scrambled over the boulders until the highest point was reached.
The cloud broke briefly to give us a view of the west ridge and of Castell y Gwynt. We descended this ridge and by-passed these rock formations to the south and onto Bwitch y Ddwy-Glyder where a path was followed to the summit of Glyder Fawr. Here it was cold and windy and we sought some shelter for a late lunch. Afterwards we descended steep scree paths to Llyn Cwn. We expected an easy climb to Y Garn but the wind had increased speed again and it was now quite strong with some heavy rain showers.
Once we reached the summit of Y Garn we retraced our steps to Llyn Cwn before making the descent of the Devil’s Kitchen by a well engineered path which still required a lot of care. Eventually we reached Llyn Idwal and followed the path along its east bank before descending to the A5 at Idwal Cottage as dusk fell. It was then a short but wet walk along the side of the A5 back to the car.
Photos taken on walk.
