HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

27th December 2008: Capel Curig - Moel Siabod and return    Web page by Bryan Benn

Start and Finish near Capel Curig 195/184m

Highest Point: Summit of Moel Siabod 872m

Distance: circa 8 kms

Weather: V cold, sun. Icy, v strong wind high up.

Vertical altitude gain: circa 710m

Time: circa 5 hrs 20 mins

Path to Moel Siabod I had got a very clear view of Moel Siabod as I descended Snowdon via the Miners Track the previous evening, (photo above). And had then planned to climb the Moel the next day! But it was still a surprise that my aching legs allowed me to get out of the car near Capel Curihg on the 27th to start the walk up to the top of the 872m mountain!

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Snowdon Horseshoe from Llynnau Mymbyr

The view when I got out of my car near Capel Curig just after a very cold and frosty dawn wasn't of Moel Siabod! It was wondeful sight of the whole of the Snowdon Horseshoe bathed in the first sunlight of the day.

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Snowdon Horseshoe from Llynnau Mymbyr

And as I dropped down and crossed the Llynnau Mymbyr lake by the small footbridge at it's Eastern end, the best view was still West towards Snowdon!

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued

Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod

In places the straight forward track up was well frosted, in other places clear of ice!

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

A view due North behind me as I went up the gently ascending track.

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

The temperature was still someway below freezing as I got to one of the steeper sections of the route.

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued

Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod

I made fairly good progress on the track, even though it was iced up in places. And with the weather still clear I had plenty of chance to take in the surrounding mountains.

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

Behind me was Capel Curig and it's attendant hills and mountains.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

While nearly always visible on the climb was the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Moel Siabod continued.
9thDecember 2008:Beddgelert - Moel y Dyniewyd cont. continued

Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod Path to Moel Siabod

The terrain changed suddenly as I reached the summit plateaux. Rocks and stones, along with a bitterely cold and strong wind!

Moel Siabod continued
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

The summit was marked by a small cairn on top of another very rocky section.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued View from Moel Siabod summit

From the actual summit the view south, with a growing amount of cloud, was quite dramatic.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

And of course there was a view from the summit across to the Snowdon Horseshoe

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

I'd had the route up totally to myself. But within minutes of arriving at the top, others summited from different directions. Giving the opportunity of a photo of myself by the summit cairn!

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

I sat for some time in a small stone shelter near the summit to remember someone who had been so precious to me for so many years, and whom I had lost exactly a year earlier. Then decided that, with cloud building up, it would be sensible to head back down.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

Compared with my walk up which had seen no one else on the mountain, my descent was quite busy. With a number of other walkers passing me as I headed down at a gentle pace.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

And a gentle pace was all that was possoble in places as the long spell of very cold weather had made sure all lying water was solidly frozen, giving very slippery conditions from time to time.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

With the severe cold it was no surprise that none of the frost passed on the way up had even started to melt away!

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

By now cloud had covered the summit area of Moel Siabod, but hadn't reached the hills and mountains to the West of Capel Curig.

Moel Siabod continued.
27th December: Moel Siabod continued Path to Moel Siabod

And the sun was still shining on the Northern slopes as I got back onto the valley floor next to Llynnau Mymbyr.

December 2008 - January 2009 Trip Index     Back to Main Index