Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen & Pen yr Helgi Du

Walk Summary

Tryfan appears as we ascend above the temperature inversion
during ascent up Y Braich to Pen yr Helgi Du

The unexpected treat today was the temperature inversion. Of all the days I have spent in mountains over the last 6 years I have only managed to be above the clouds in bright sunny conditions only once before. The drive east along the A5 to walk start point was one minute in fog and then bright sunshine. Having found the planned start point at Helyg did not have suitable parking I headed back west and towards the cloud with the parking at Gwern Gof Isaf being somewhere near the boundary of the fog and the sunshine. During the first part of the walk the cloud thickened making the emergence out of the cloud at about 450m so much of a treat especially as the sight was Tryfan.

Steep path down to Bwlch Eryl Farchog

A fantastic day that only got better as you got higher looking south towards the Glyders and the peaks of Snowdonia beyond poking through the cloud like black silhouetted islands.
If that was not enough there was the spectacular sight of Carnedd Llewelyn beyond Bwlch Eryl Farchog from the top of Pen yr Helgi Du . In my earlier hill walking days the steep stepped path with its many switch backs, minor scrambles and exposure to steep drops either side would have been quite daunting and probably enough reason to put me off. Now with past hill walking and limited, but increasing, scrambling experience is one of the many reasons that brings me back to the hills month after month. To enjoy and tackle the challenges and opportunities, safely extending myself to limits and ways I would never have thought possible. Never lose the fear in these situations but instead of it stopping you doing things use it to draw on the experience you have to implement caution and do these things safely.

Walk Statistics
Walk Date - 29 November 2014
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel
Start Point - Car Park at Gwern Gof Isaf (GR - SH 68513 60289)
Start Time - 09:38
Finish Point - Car Park at Gwern Gof Isaf (GR - SH 68513 60289)
Finish Time - 15:49
Duration - 6hrs 11mins
Average pace - 1.50mph
Distance Walked - 9.30 miles
Height Ascended - 1254.04metres

Other walks on this trip
2014
November
27^th Creigiau Gleision & Craiglwyn
28^th Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Ole Wen & Foel Meirich
29^th Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen & Pen yr Helgi Du
December
01^st Dulyn Reservoir round + Llwytmor
02^nd Beras Bach & Mawr +Drosgl & Gyrn Wigau
03^rd The Bochlwyd Horseshoe
05^th Drum, Pen y Castell & Carnedd y Ddelw + Tal y Fan
06^th Pen Llithrig y Wrach

Peaks visited
Nuttalls (190W - 444E&W)
Pen yr Helgi Du (44W - 297E &W)
Carnedd Llewelyn (45W - 298E &W)
Yr Elen (46W - 299E, &W)
Hewitts (138W - 317E)
Pen yr Helgi Du (32W - 211E &W)
Carnedd Llewelyn (33W - 212E &W)
Yr Elen 34W - 213E, &W)
Marilyns (158W - 1550E,W&S)
Carnedd Llewelyn (15W - 108E,W&S)
Deweys (241W - 427EW&S)
NONE
HuMPs (364W - 2977EW&S)

Carnedd Llewelyn (22W - 170E,W&S)
Unitary County Top (23W - 173EW&S)
Carnedd Llewelyn (4W - 24E,W&S)

W: Wales. 

E,W&S:England,Wales & Scotland

Route

GPX can be downloaded from www.shareyouradventure.com

Walk Description
Pen yr Helgi Du

West to Y Garn and Pen Yr Ole Wen
on way up Pen yr Helgi Du

Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. 
Carnedd Llewelyn

The descent down and ridge across
Bwlch Eryl Farchog to Carnedd Llewelyn

Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. 
Yr Elen

The conical Elidir Fawr
poking through cloud from Yr Elen

Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow.  Words to follow. 

More Photographs

Tryfan appears as we ascend above the temperature inversion during ascent up Y Braich to Pen yr Helgi Du
Click on photograph to view slide-show