HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

3rd January 2009: Hafod Rhisgl (Nantgwynant)-Carnedd y Cribau-return Web page by Bryan Benn

Start and Finish near Hafod Rhisgl 142m

Highest Point: Carnedd y Cribau 591m

Distance: circa 10 kms

Weather: V cold, sunny and icy.

Vertical altitude gain: circa 600m

Time: circa 4 hrs 50 mins

Carnedd y Cribau walk I'd enjoyed my 2nd January walk up in the Moelwyns to Moel Meirch. And sticking to the principle of walking the normally very boggy area when it was frozen solid I set out from the same starting point on January 3rd.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January 2009: Hafod Rhisgl - Carnedd y Cribau continued

Carnedd y Cribau walk Carnedd y Cribau walk

Today was a lovely sunny day and my plan was to follow the same route as yesterday up to the county boundary fence. Then turn North and head to Carnedd v Cribau. So I was soon off along a track still with a great deal of ice on it!

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

On such alovely day it was great to take in the superb views. This one looking SW to Llyn Gwynant. With Moel Hebog in the far distance, and Yr Aran a bit closer.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

Almost West of my route was the bulk of Y Lliwedd, with parts of the rest of the Snowdon Horseshoe just visible behind.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

I soon reached the fence that marked the county boundary, and turned North towards the first of several rocky outcrops, (crags) I would have to cross on my way to Carnedd y Cribau.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued

Carnedd y Cribau walk Carnedd y Cribau walk

Initially I climbed up a very steep grassy slop. Then found a small gully where I needed to use my hands a couple of times to get to the top of the small crag.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

The effort was well worth it. With a lovely view back down to Llyn Gwynant.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

The next crag followed soon after. With Moel Siabod, (right), starting to dominate the view in front of me. No surprise there, as the track I was on can be used as a quite long distance approach to that mountain.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Snowdon Horseshoe seen from Carnedd y Cribau walk

Looking back to the West in the sunny and very clear weather gave a super view of the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
9thDecember 2008:Beddgelert - Moel y Dyniewyd cont. continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

Another look back at the receeding Llyn Gwynant and attending mountains.

Carnedd y Cribau continued
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

More small crags to crose as I headed generally North. With both the boundary fence and Moel Siabod confirming I was heading in the right direction.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Ice on Carnedd y Cribau walk

I passed quite a few sections where surface water had frozen into thick ice. As here where I looked back after finding a route across the slippery surface.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

Seeing all the thick ice made me certain the stories of this area being very boggy and hard to walk in warmer weather were quite accurate.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Moel Siabod seen from Carnedd y Cribau

Approaching the summit rocks of Carnedd y Cribau brought Moel Siabod into sharp focus.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Snowdon Horseshoe see from Carnedd y Cribau

And gave the best view so far today of the whole of the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Moel Siabod seen from summit of Carnedd y Cribau

Onto the rocky summit of Carnedd y Cribau. Dominated to the North by the very broad ridge up to Moel Siabod. And with the "twin lakes" of Llynau Diwaunydd below very steep NE cliffs of the summit I was on..

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Llynau Diwaunydd seen from summit of Carnedd y Cribau

A closer lookdown at the lakes known as Llynau Diwaunydd.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

I stayed a while on the summit of Carnedd y Cribau, chatting to some young walkers who had followed my route on their way to the Mowl Siabod. Reluctantly I left that lovely spot and started my icy way back.

Carnedd y Cribau continued.
3rd January: Carnedd y Cribau continued Carnedd y Cribau walk

The frozen Moelwyns had given me another great day's walking. As well a final higher level view of Lyn Gwynant, Yr Aran and Y Lliwedd just before I entered the woodland stretch of my descent.

December 2008 - January 2009 Trip Index     Back to Main Index