HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

4th January 2009: Hafod Rhisgl (Nantgwynant) - y Cribau and return Web page by Bryan Benn

Start and Finish near Hafod Rhisgl 142m

Highest Point: y Cribau 508m

Distance: circa 6 kms

Weather: V cold, sunny and icy.

Vertical altitude gain: circa 400m

Time: circa 3 hrs 0 mins

y Cribau walk I was really due a rest day, and had planned to have a gentle stroll along the valley floor and the put my feet up. But no, despite low cloud and light snow showers I decided to have a short climb up on the route I had used the day before! I chose the same route as with light snowfall I would at least know where the underlying sheeet ice was hidden by the snow.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued y Cribau walk

The bright and sunny view over Llyn Gwynant that I had enjoyed the previous day was now replaced with a rather dull view. With snow lying on the surface of the now frozen lake.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued

y Cribau walk y Cribau walk

The path up was treacherous in places, as I had expected. But as this was my third ascent on the route in three days I did remember where the thick ice was, even though it was not always obvious.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued y Cribau walk

I walked just to the top of the first crag on the y Cribau ridge, and with no view and being satisfied with my exercise for the day I turned and came back down straight away.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued

y Cribau walk y Cribau walk

Descending on ice and snow is always harder than ascending. So I tested out Grivel spiders for the first time: and the small spikes that fitted under my boots' insteps proved ideal for the conditions.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued y Cribau walk

With spiders I descended this very icy section. Slowly and with care, but without slipping.

y Cribau continued
4th January: y Cribau continued Grivel Spiders

It was only a short walk, but it was rest day after all! And it had allowed me to test out my Grivel Spiders for the first time, and show that they are useful in conditions that don't warrant full crampons.

December 2008 - January 2009 Trip Index     Back to Main Index