Pen yr Ole Wen, Christmas Eve Winter Wonderland.

[mountainstar]

Pen yr Ole Wen, Christmas Eve Winter Wonderland.
24th December 2010

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This trip report is hot off the press….have not got time for a long report as its Christmas Eve and I’ve got lots to do this afternoon, and the pub is calling later!
Was up before the larks at 4.50am, chanced the icy roads to Snowdonia and was walking by 7.45am with the moonlight as my guide…headtorch taken but not required.
Crampons on as I followed the snowy track up the Afon Lloer the snow getting progressingly deeper as I neared the lake once at Llyn Lloer I turned west for the ridge that leads to Pen yr Ole Wen. My pace was slow as I tramped though knee-deep snow, and the biteingly cold wind battered me with spindrift as I plodded upwards. But at least I was rewarded by a lovely sunrise halfway up the ridge as it rose beyond Tryfan and the eastern Glyder range.
By the time I reached the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen there was more cloud than sun, and with cloud on Carnedd Davydd I decided not to do that summit as planned, but headed back down the way I came up.
It was good to get a walk in before Christmas and enjoy the thrill of proper winter walking.

Short video here:-

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTbLbOPHxT0[/youtube]

[mountain tortoise]

What an early bird. Love the pics good to see the conditions I am going up that way tomorrow for the day. It is lovely on Christmas Day as there will be hardly anyone around.
Happy Xmas everyone xxx

[susanmyatt]

Nice pics Mountainstar, done the Carnedds twice in the snow, bitter cold, even my drinks tube froze, enjoy the pub
Hope you don't mind me adding a few from one of the trips, Merry Xmas to you all

Climbing a ridge

Gentlemen, helping hand

Towards Snowdon

Boy was it cold

[mountain coward]

Still can't imagine carrying water in winter! Susan - was that the ridge up onto Pen Yr Helgi Du with the Craig Yr Ysfa route up onto Carnedd Llewellyn behind you?

When I looked at your track MS, I thought you were still up there writing your report! I came down that way with my friend Mark and his dog Ben, except we descended north off the end of that ridge of Pen Yr Olau Wen. It was pretty craggy and Mark kept having to pass the dog down to me (it was a sheepdog and pretty heavy!). What's the eastern/actual end of the ridge like?

Superb pic of Tryfan BTW (the second one in full daylight)

[davelancs]

I really enjoyed seeing these pics. So many memories. You walked past the front door of my club hut ( Midland Assoc. Mountaineers).I was there a couple of weeks ago and I will be back in Jan. Many thanks

[Wanderlust]

Lovely sunrise photos, and a great view of Tryfan

[susanmyatt]

Think thats correct MC, these were from my early walks, now in winter normally take a bottle, still like a drink even in them conditions

[mountainstar]

I really enjoyed seeing these pics. So many memories. You walked past the front door of my club hut ( Midland Assoc. Mountaineers).I was there a couple of weeks ago and I will be back in Jan. Many thanks

I was a bit cheaky and parked in the car-park, there was nowhere to park along the road or car park-layby's as the snow had been ploughed off the road. But with all the curtains open it did not look as if anybody was there, and i never knocked to ask, as it was to too early (6.45am)

What's the eastern/actual end of the ridge like?

Its a bit scrambly in places, with one 45% gully to get up, no problem for most......
Can't think what way you came off it if you went north half way down that ridge? as it would be steep and craggy.

bitter cold, even my drinks tube froze

...so did mine (a bottle)!

[dooterbang]

Fantastic stuff

Nothing better than an early start and back for lunch

We aint Mad, were just Motivated. . . .to the point of Madness

Merry Xmas.

Got a feeling a TR will be looming soon for New Years day.

[monty]

Just love that daybreak picture Mountainstar. Nice report, great pictures.

[mountain coward]

Susan - what I meant was I'm surprised you don't just take flasks in winter rather than cold water - much nicer when it's cold...

MS - we went to the end of that ridge and then descended north from there - there were some gullies and it was quite craggy...

[susanmyatt]

Was a late starter walking in september 2007, that walk pictured was a couple of years ago, as you say I have now learnt and take a flask with home made soup, makes the others jealous

[malky_c]

Great shots...of course as soon as I roll into Wales (boxing day) it all goes to pot
Got some nice photos of a fuller-than-usual Aber Falls today, but I think that will be the extent of my walking on this trip...

[mountainstar]

Got some nice photos of a fuller-than-usual Aber Falls today, but I think that will be the extent of my walking on this trip...

Yes you are a day late for the great (sunny but freezing) weather, bet The falls would have looked great a few days ago, I've never seen them frozen except in pictures.

[walk aboot]

What a way to start Christmas day , brilliant photos, mountainstar .