HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

16th February 2009: In the Carneddau, Craig Eigiau and above.    Web page by Bryan Benn

Near Tal-y-Bont, 370m

Highest Point: Just under Foel Grach, circa 930m

Distance: circa 10 kms

Weather: Fine, then sudden change to low cloud and gale

Vertical altitude gain: circa 620m

Time: circa 4 hrs 45 mins

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

I love the Carneddau, and set out on the 16th Feb to enjoy a gentle walk on a "half rest day" up to the summit of Craog Eigiau and maybe higher. I took a narrow and gated road up from Tal-y-Bont to a small parking area. From which I could see, (left), the simple ridge leading up to Craig Eigiau, one of the lesser Carneddau summits, as well as the start of the track I would use, (right).

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

The weather was OK as was the view down along Llyn Eigiau. To the right the East side of Criag Eigiau, and central behind the lake, Pen y Heigi Du.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

A close up of the lake, with the brooding bulk of Pen llithrig y Wrach at it's Western end.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

I had expected to walk into still lying snow in sheltered places on my way up to Craig Eigiau. And I wasn't dissapointed.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

More lying snow as I made good progress.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

Nearing the modest summit of Craig Eigiau, Carnedd Llewelyn started to become very obvious to the West.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

The broad ridge that links Crain Eigiau with the highest part of the Carneddau.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

A view of the ridge that leads from Carnedd Llewelyn to Pen yr Heigi Du.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

That ridge continues onto Pen Lithrig y Wrach. A route I am planning to do early in April with walking companion coming over from Sweden.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

A view down to the East from the broad summit rocks of Craig Eigiau.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

I had intended to have a fairly easy day of walking. But the location and the lovely weather tempted me to head on up towards Foel Grach and Carnedd Llweleyn.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

The weather started to change as I walked on up past Melynllyn.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

But apart from some cloud appearing the visibility was still fine, allowing me a look back at the summit area of Craig Eigiau.

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

Then a mass of low cloud started rolling up over the top of the ridge linking Carnedd Llewelyn with Pen yr Heigi Du. And in the space of just two or three minutes I was enveloped in the cloud, along with a dramatic drop in temperature and very high winds!

Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau.
Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau Craig Eigiau walk in Carneddau

It didn't take long to realise I should turn back. Even though I was only about 50m below the summit of Foel Grach. But that mountain will be there for me again in the future, so back down I went to a still clear valley.

February 2009 Trip Index     Back to Main Index