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Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:16 pm
by johnkaysleftleg
Tryfan is one of the finest mountains in Britain and therefore on just about any hill walkers itinerary. This was our third family visit to Wales and somehow the ascent of this wonderful peak had eluded us so third time lucky was the call. The weather on Tuesday was poor on the mountains so we headed to Angelsey for the day (pics at end of report) and had a fine time enjoying the best of the weather for the day. Wednesday morning was little better on the hills but a change in was due in the afternoon so following a lie in we headed for the Ogwen valley and got there around midday as the clouds were clearing the tops.

Suited and booted we headed up the path at the back of the parking area we had managed to get a place in with a solid plan in our heads, which was to head up past Llyn Bochlwyd up to Bwlch Tryfan and up the South Ridge from there, a simple plan for a simple afternoon in the hills. :D

ImageTryfan rearing up at the start of the walk by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageA little cloud on the summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageSummit drama on Tryfan by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageGaining height as the summit clears by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLlyn Ogwen by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageDrama towards Y Garn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageStill clouds strafing the summits by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageEver changing light by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageA wider view looking back by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageI'm waiting! by Anthony Young, on Flickr

We gained height quickly up the well made relentlessly steep path but as the views opened up over the magnificent Ogwen valley uncertainty started to creep in. We were obviously too high on the hill and seemingly heading direct for the summit rather than the Bwlch. Given the path was so clear and good we were obviously heading somewhere well used but quite where we wern't sure. The answer, as we now know, was the Western gully a popular descent route following the scramble up the North ridge but at the time the way up looked very steep, very lose and not 100% clear. Resolving to never clamber up anything we couldn't get back down we headed upwards.

ImageView from the Western Gully by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageOgwen Valley from somewhere on Tryfan by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLight catching Glyder Fach by Anthony Young, on Flickr

What followed was a very entertaining but simple scramble upwards that even though it felt relatively safe had a feel of significant airiness. Once the steepness eased our confidence grew and rather dramatically we topped out on the ridge as a huge gaping chasm opened up down the Eastern side of the mountain.

ImageWorst over with but still bloody steep by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageTopping out on the ridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLooking down to the car! by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A simple scramble led us to Adam and Eve, Tryfan's twin monoliths, an iconic sight but also a bowel loosening one :shock: There were no attempts at gaining the freedom of Tryfan during our stay on the summit by us or anybody else, given the brisk wind I'm not sure any right minded individual would attempt it on this day. That said I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have attempted it in perfect windless conditions either. :lol: The only recorded bid for freedom was achieved by a passing gull, which due to the power of flight wasn't really taking much of a risk to be fair.

ImageFor the Love of Rock by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageSheltered by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageA gull gets the freedom of Tryfan by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was fairly chilly on the top so we headed off following a brief break for a snack, picking our way over the boulders on the South Ridge. We still didn't get as far as Bwlch Tryfan as we headed off down another gully that looked promising before an at times soggy walk back to the car.

ImageThe Glyders from Tryfan by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLlyn Bochlwyd by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageY Garn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Image...and again by Anthony Young, on Flickr

All in all this was a memorable afternoon, finally climbing this magnificent mountain was a treat to behold and even better as we managed inadvertently to ascend by a more entertaining route than planned.


Tryfan.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



The previous day we had visited Anglesey and headed for South Stack RSPB reserve. Not many birds about this time of year but a beautiful place nevertheless. A very pleasant walk up Holyhead mountain was had which is such an amazing view point considering it's modest elevation.

ImageAcross Anglesey to the mainland by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageSouth stack lighthouse by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageOn the way to Holyhead mountain by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageCliffs of Anglesey by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageSummer colour on Anglesey by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageHolyhead mountain by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Image
Heather and quartzite by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageGrace having a bit clamber about by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageHolyhead by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageTowering clouds over the mainland by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageEpic Hughie shot by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageSettling down for a snack by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLooking towards South Stack from the summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageColours on Holyhead mountain by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLooking back to Holyhead mountain by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way back we popped to Lligwy Bay and had a bit of a paddle and play with the dog as well as a slice of fine cake at the small beach hut cafe.

ImageFun on the beach by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageIt's a Dog's life by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageLligwy Bay by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Image
Did somebody say cake? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ImageHeading back to the car by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:07 pm
by Fractral
It wasn't until my third attempt that I actually summited Tryfan- it's not an easy ascent in poor visibility. Twice we wimped out and took the heather terrace round... after finding a memorial to a guy who fell off on the north side my dad didn't fancy it!

I'm headed back to Snowdonia in Easter, though I want to see the rest of the park I always seem to end up in the Ogwen valley so I might give your route a go.

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:13 pm
by Alteknacker
Don't quite know how I missed this first time around, but good to catch up now. I never cease to be amazed by the quality of your pics!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Pity you don't yet have the freedom of Tryfan... :D

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:06 pm
by Mal Grey
Lovely photos, as we've come to expect!

:clap:

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 5:19 pm
by malky_c
Some fine photos of Tryfan - an easy mountain to get lost on though. We were discussing this on the Snowdonia meet I think - there were at least 4 of us on that walk who have been up the North Ridge over 20 times each and we all agreed that you never end up taking the same route twice lower down!

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 7:06 pm
by dav2930
Definitely one of Britain's most spectacular peaks, well done all for making it up this one! I can only echo everyone else's comments about the photos - exceptionally fine and dramatic. :clap:

You did what the climbers do when the weather's bad in Snowdonia - head for Anglesey! It's often dry there when it's wet in the mountains. I've done exactly that on numerous occasions. The main cliff of Craig Gogarth and the Wen Zawn near North Stack are some of the most awesome sea-cliffs in Britain. There's even a name for the scariness of the climbs on them - the Gogarth Grip Factor! :shock:

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:33 am
by johnkaysleftleg
Fractral wrote:It wasn't until my third attempt that I actually summited Tryfan- it's not an easy ascent in poor visibility. Twice we wimped out and took the heather terrace round... after finding a memorial to a guy who fell off on the north side my dad didn't fancy it!

I'm headed back to Snowdonia in Easter, though I want to see the rest of the park I always seem to end up in the Ogwen valley so I might give your route a go.


It's not a bad way to the summit at all, gives enough of a feel of just how rocky and steep the mountain is without the heart stopping moments of other routes.

Alteknacker wrote:Don't quite know how I missed this first time around, but good to catch up now. I never cease to be amazed by the quality of your pics!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Pity you don't yet have the freedom of Tryfan... :D


Cheers Alte but you didn't miss it, I'm just so far behind on my walk reports :lol: Unfortunately there aren't many to catch up on now due to a distinct lack of hill activity :( I'm fairly positive I'll never gain the freedom of Tryfan if the leap didn't kill me my wife would! :lol:

Mal Grey wrote:Lovely photos, as we've come to expect!

:clap:


Cheers Mal

malky_c wrote:Some fine photos of Tryfan - an easy mountain to get lost on though. We were discussing this on the Snowdonia meet I think - there were at least 4 of us on that walk who have been up the North Ridge over 20 times each and we all agreed that you never end up taking the same route twice lower down!


Cheers Malky glad it's not just us, like other routes this one's a case of following the smooth bits on the rocks and you'll not go too far wrong.

dav2930 wrote:Definitely one of Britain's most spectacular peaks, well done all for making it up this one! I can only echo everyone else's comments about the photos - exceptionally fine and dramatic. :clap:

You did what the climbers do when the weather's bad in Snowdonia - head for Anglesey! It's often dry there when it's wet in the mountains. I've done exactly that on numerous occasions. The main cliff of Craig Gogarth and the Wen Zawn near North Stack are some of the most awesome sea-cliffs in Britain. There's even a name for the scariness of the climbs on them - the Gogarth Grip Factor! :shock:


Cheers Dav, most appreciated. Anglesey was another place we'd never visited while in Wales so glad we got a chance. There where loads of climbers crawling all over various precipices while we were there. I can certainly believe climbing sea cliffs adds an extra level of fear to a climb, not that the outcome of a fall would be much different!

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:53 pm
by trailmasher
Another fine set of photos JK :clap: on a short but worthy walk. A lovely day, great views, and a great walk pulled out of a bag of poor weather :clap:

Re: Getting a bit lost on Tryfan

PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:54 pm
by johnkaysleftleg
trailmasher wrote:Another fine set of photos JK :clap: on a short but worthy walk. A lovely day, great views, and a great walk pulled out of a bag of poor weather :clap:


Chears TM