Walk Summary
This route will go down as where I managed my very first solo scramble.
It was also the time when I wished I was not alone and at the same time was pleased I was not with anyone who was depending on me.
The next time I ask someone about a particular route asking them if there is scrambling involved and their reply is;
"...well not really, maybe just a bit."
I will take that as a YES.
Maybe the fact that this was the 2nd person to warn me that the south ridge approach was tough should have given me more warning, but after the relentless ascent up Kirk Fell and the similar but longer ascent up Ben More (Crianlarich) how hard could it be if there is not any scrambling.
Well there is some scrambling and in my opinion what felt like grade II, but am sure is Grade I.
I had done more exposed scrambling on Skye but that was under the supervision of a mountain leader.
As the scrambling finished and the rate of ascent decreased for the next stage to Pen yr Ole Wen there were thoughts that the walk description would be front loaded.
Even that proved to be incorrect. The cold steady east wind from the right side, gusting at times to about 50mph that in the early stages was quite invigorating as I pulled on my balaclava and wrapped myself up against the elements, turned out to be most unwelcome after an hour of relentless battering that forced me down hill, off bearing and took feeling from my fingertips.
Fortunately all peaks had been visited before 1pm and by descending below the bad weather was able to warm up and have lunch in clear weather and relative comfort. Leaving the afternoon to find a way round Braich Ty Du and back along the bottom to the A5 and leisurely stroll back to Idwall YH well before daylight ended.
Walk Statistics |
| Half way in to my first solo scramble looking up to the second half |
It was also the time when I wished I was not alone and at the same time was pleased I was not with anyone who was depending on me.
The next time I ask someone about a particular route asking them if there is scrambling involved and their reply is;
"...well not really, maybe just a bit."
I will take that as a YES.
Maybe the fact that this was the 2nd person to warn me that the south ridge approach was tough should have given me more warning, but after the relentless ascent up Kirk Fell and the similar but longer ascent up Ben More (Crianlarich) how hard could it be if there is not any scrambling.
Well there is some scrambling and in my opinion what felt like grade II, but am sure is Grade I.
I had done more exposed scrambling on Skye but that was under the supervision of a mountain leader.
As the scrambling finished and the rate of ascent decreased for the next stage to Pen yr Ole Wen there were thoughts that the walk description would be front loaded.
Even that proved to be incorrect. The cold steady east wind from the right side, gusting at times to about 50mph that in the early stages was quite invigorating as I pulled on my balaclava and wrapped myself up against the elements, turned out to be most unwelcome after an hour of relentless battering that forced me down hill, off bearing and took feeling from my fingertips.
Fortunately all peaks had been visited before 1pm and by descending below the bad weather was able to warm up and have lunch in clear weather and relative comfort. Leaving the afternoon to find a way round Braich Ty Du and back along the bottom to the A5 and leisurely stroll back to Idwall YH well before daylight ended.
Walk Date - 28 November 2014
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel
Start Point - Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel car park (GR - SH 64937 60384)
Start Time - 09:36
Finish Point - Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel car park (GR - SH 64937 60384)
Finish Time - 15:14
Duration - 5hrs 38mins
Average pace - 1.39mph
Distance Walked - 7.82 miles
Height Ascended - 998.20metres
Other walks on this trip
2014
November
27th Creigiau Gleision & Craiglwyn
28th Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Ole Wen & Foel Meirich
29th Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen & Pen yr Helgi Du
December
01st Dulyn Reservoir round + Llwytmor
02nd Beras Bach & Mawr +Drosgl & Gyrn Wigau
03rd The Bochlwyd Horseshoe
05th Drum, Pen y Castell & Carnedd y Ddelw + Tal y Fan
06th Pen Llithrig y Wrach
Nuttalls (190W - 444E&W)
Pen yr Ole Wen (41W - 294E &W)
Carnedd Dafydd (42W - 295E &W)Foel Meirich (43W - 296E &W)
Hewitts (138W - 317E)
Pen yr Ole Wen (30W - 209E &W)
Carnedd Dafydd (31W - 210E &W)
Marilyns (158W - 1550E,W&S)
NONE
Deweys (241W - 427EW&S)
NONE
HuMPs (364W - 2977EW&S)
Carnedd Dafydd (21W - 169E,W&S)
W: Wales.
E,W&S:England,Wales & ScotlandRoute
Pen Yr Ole Wen
 |
| Had to stop on way to walk start to photograph this lovely view. (See more photo section for location) |
Carnedd Dafydd
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| Left to right. Pen Llithrig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du & Carnedd Llewelyn from Moel Eilio |
Foel Meirich
|
| Had to stop on way to walk start to photograph this lovely view. (See more photo section for location) |
More Photographs
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Lunchtime view towards Anglesey
Click on photograph to view slide-show
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