Having just done a Winter Mountaineering Course in Feb with Plas Y Brenin in Scotland was excited to get an operturnity to utilise my new skills on the Easter weekend. Weather was to be perfect so decided on the Classic Routes. Booked the hostel at Pen Y Pass on Thursday and got there Friday evening
Route starts at Pen Y Pass so as i was already there only had to cross the road and get my gear out of the car.
Head to the North West corner of the carpark where you will find the start of the Pyg Track. (Make sure you buy a parking ticket £10 for the day, there is also a 4 hour option but that is a bit optimistic for this route)
Follow the Pyg track until it climbs up onto the small ridge which was on your left and where you will see the Llyn Llydaw, turn right off the Pyg track so te fence is on your left and follow the Ridge to the Crib Goch.
Just keep heading up and you get some fun short mixed winter climbing and therefore assume scrambling in summer.
Then like magic you are on the top of Crib Goch looking at the 'Knife Edge' Arete
On the Arete keep to the right as much as possible to enjoy the most exposure (Move to the left if you want less).
The are Three Pinnicles on the Arete, all of which you can avoid by moving left
Crib Goch is over
There is a little Scramble to the top of Crib Y Ddysgl
From the Second Summit of the Day the veiw for the next target is brilliant.
Veiw from Snowdon summit is great but not as impressive as a view of Snowdons Trinity Face, espcially from Crib Goch.
Made a Rookie misstake of expecting the Summit Cafe to be open and that I could resupply on fluids for the remainder of the journey.
You now head for a short bit past the train station
It feels like the wrong direction but is the safest way. You will spot a large stone standing up on your left. This marks the place to descend and cut back to the ridge oribiting the lake.
Continue up and over the summit. Then after a bit more of a walk you will see a route off the ridge to the left which leads down to Llyn Llydaw and the miners track. You have to battle past loads of photographers and families all wanting to have a look at what you've just climbed
Then you are back in the Hostel Pub for a few pints.
On reflection on my day would say if you have not done this route is a must, just remember to take enough water as i started to eat snow. Enjoyed the bit up to snowdown emmensly, but the lack of water made me less appreciative of the second part. Will have to do it again.
Thanks for Reading what is to be the First of Many Reports
Scoobica
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Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Snowdon Horseshoe
Snowdon Horseshoe
by Scoobica » Thu May 23, 2013 10:46 pm
Hewitts included on this walk: Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl, Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa, Y Lliwedd
Date walked: 30/03/2013
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Re: Snowdon Horseshoe
by wotnowalshy » Fri May 24, 2013 12:32 pm
Looks like a great day for it.
The horseshoe is a marvelous route. I've done it over a dozen times and it never seems the same because of the different conditions, snow, rain, wind and even sunshine!
The horseshoe is a marvelous route. I've done it over a dozen times and it never seems the same because of the different conditions, snow, rain, wind and even sunshine!
- wotnowalshy
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Re: Snowdon Horseshoe
by gordon l » Fri May 24, 2013 9:30 pm
Amazing set of pictures there, just brilliant. At the beginning of the month I had to beat a retreat from Crib Goch and head to the summit up the Pyg track in zero visibility and constant rain. Nice to see what I missed 

Re: Snowdon Horseshoe
by blueyed » Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:34 pm
going to walk it in a week time, cant wait!
Re: Snowdon Horseshoe
by ChrisW » Tue Aug 06, 2013 5:14 am
Don't know how I missed this cracker first time around but I'm glad it came back again, stunning shots of a great hike 

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