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Each winter, a couple of mates and I have an annual trip to the Scottish hills, for some winter walking. Sadly, this year we had to change our plans, as my work situation meant I couldn’t take the time, and I couldn’t justify the extra expense. Instead, Nige and I decided on a long weekend in Snowdonia.
We based ourselves at the Dolman campsite in Capel Curig. This is a proper, old fashioned campsite, with basic facilities (loo, showers, basins in a roughish barn), by a river (bit shallow for paddling!) and with fantastic views. The best thing of all was that it was only a fiver a night!
After a couple of drizzly, cloudy days in which the camera didn't come out at all over Tryfan and the Glyderrau, at last there was sunshine on the tent on awakening early in the morning. Sunday was looking good.
Above the campsite rises Moel Siabod, which apparently translates as “Shapely Hill”. It certainly is.
Walking from camp, a steep, sun-dappled, tarmac lane wound through the trees, leading to an easy gravel path as the views opened out over the valley and the campsite.
Eventually the path changed to slate, the old road to the slate mines common to every hill in these parts.
Above loomed Moel Siabod, its rocky flanks eaten into by quarrying.
We reached the quarry workings. Much of Snowdonia was quarried for slate as a building material, but most are now long closed. Traces of the incline down which the slate would be winched had been visible during the ascent so far, but now we reached the main site with buildings, slag heaps and a big hole in the ground, filled with dark water.
Walking on, we crested a brow to find a more natural lake nestling below the east ridge, our chosen ascent.
Lunch was taken at a great viewpoint at the start of the climb.
The ridge, sometimes known as Daear Ddu (Black Earth), is a fun scramble on sound rock. We tried to stay close to the crest, as this was the most fun part, though all can be avoided by a lower path on the south flank.
Nearing the summit rocks, Nige performs a customary salute as another group pose on an outcrop above.
All the way up we had been in the sun, but to the south the clouds had always been present. As we crested the summit, we were met with a fantastic view of Snowdon, the Glyderrau and the Carneddau, as mist swirled in the cwms and valleys below.
Snowdon and Crib Y Ddysgl peep out over the clouds
Yesterday’s hills, Tryfan the prominent rocky peak on the right, and the Glyderrau on the left
Tryfan
Nige heading for the rock shelter near the top
Tryfan and the Carneddau on the right
I tried a couple of panoramic shots. Click to make them bigger (as with all the images)
Time to go down, our way ahead across the blocky northern summits then down the easy north ridge
One last look back towards Snowdon and the other hills
As we descended, the views kept on coming
Looking down on the mine workings we’d passed on the ascent
The lower slopes were mostly gentle grass, and soon we were down in the valley.
Unfortunately we got waylaid by a café on the way back, hot chocolate calling loudly to us. Then it was back to the campsite, a quick shower, and lamb chops in the pub.
Monday was time to drive home, but not before a stop for a walk by Lake Vyrnwy, and up to a waterfall, Pistill Rhyd-y-meinciau. Welsh isn’t the easiest!
Just before we got back to the car, we spotted a bird hide by an inlet on the edge of the lake. No birds, just frogs!
A nice few days, making up in some little way to missing out on a week in the Highlands!
