… and then we were 8 brave souls heading for a hut with no leccy, no gas, potentially no water, a 10 min walk in uphill and temperatures predicted to be minus a few overnight! After some frantic lift sorting we met up in Betws pub (after a burger stop at the OK diner) just in time to meet Simon and Carmen returning from the hut (oops). The Wessex Club's hut is in the woods above ByC and parking is in the hotel car park with a reasonable path leading to the small but well formed hut in the process of renovation. With only 8 of us we had plenty of space but a few people were ruing their choice of sleeping bags!
Bright and early passed, then we got up and all made out way to the Pass (D via Joe Browns at Capel open at 8.30am) and the long trudge up to Clogwyn y Ddysgl above Cyrn Las. A slog with some awkward bits – still not sure the easiest route up there. Hoards of people were headed up Parsley Fern Gully (I,***) but S+C and Clare and I geared up for Sinister Gully (III, 4 but very soft) with another team just ahead of us. We all soloed up to the crux a short 10m or so ice fall and a queue. Simon went first followed by Carmen, and I followed failing to get any screws in but feeling ok on the reasonable ice. Clare followed easily enough. We then pitched out the next two pitches of snow slope and a bit of soloing up perfect never to join S&C on the Cryb-y-Ddysgl ridge in glorious sunshine.
approaching the ridge
Ticking the trig point in honour of Charles we traversed back across Crib Goch – fantastic views, light and solitude. The descent down to the path to Pen y Pass proved awkward and the walk out longer than I remember, but we were rewarded with a huge red moon. Soon we were pub-bound after some cunning hitching from Simon to retrieve the car.
Pete on Parsley Fern Gully
In the pub we met the others and Matt who dropped in but turned down the offer of a freezing bunk. They had enjoyed a similarly great day out on PFG, Liz tackling the left branch (II **) before heading to Snowdon summit and descent down the PYG track and a bus back to the car. Fantastic day out for all.
Towards Llyn Crafnant
Sunday was more overcast and S,C and I headed for Clogwyn Du above Idwal slabs and the big team went for a little walk (having rejected Bristley Ridge due to conditions). Turned out a tad further than anticipated but rewarded with good views and a good stretch of the legs. Meanwhile we had flogged our way up into Cwm Cneifion with hundreds of other people.
carmen tackles the ice fall
Our initial plan was Hidden Gully (II **) but we spied a frozen stream that led that way. I led the main pitch – well most of it, some it fell down. I managed to get a few comedy ice screws, including highlights of a stubby tied-off screw in rubbish ice, and one which was still in the ice when the ices fell off! Felt quite exciting at about III,3. A few little play steps led us into the upper Cwm and Clogwyn Du, where we headed up Easy Route before branching right up Hidden Gully. Some excellent funky ice on a lovely but way-too-short route.
We headed down Easy Routeb (I *) and home – past Tower Slabs that look an excellent playground worth exploring at about III.
Best winter weather I've had in Wales, echo'd by Simon
Check all the pictures out
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… and then we were 8 brave souls heading for a hut with no leccy, no gas, potentially no water, a 10 min walk in uphill and temperatures predicted to be minus a few overnight! After some frantic lift sorting we met up in Betws pub (after a burger stop at the OK diner) just in time to meet Simon and Carmen returning from the hut (oops). The Wessex Club's hut is in the woods above ByC and parking is in the hotel car park with a reasonable path leading to the small but well formed hut in the process of renovation. With only 8 of us we had plenty of space but a few people were ruing their choice of sleeping bags!
[…] wait for years for decent winter conditions on a Wales meet, and then two come along at once. After January's excellent trip we headed back in March, this time to the Cwm Dyli hut, below Snowdon, and once again conditions […]