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Two glorious days in North Wales a couple of years ago - I came across the SD card...
Setting off from the pass for an alternative start to the Nantlle ridge. Our plan was to do the four eastern peaks of the ridge as a circuit. Craig y Bera in the background.
IMG_0020 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
The children liked this boat in Llyn y Dywarchen
IMG_0029 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Different choices of route and technique
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Split boulder below the crags of Y Garn
IMG_0041 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Views opened out as we gained height. This is Llyn y Gadair and Yr Aran
IMG_0048 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Y Garn's summit is an airy promontory high above deep valleys. it's crowned with Bronze Age cairns and is a wonderful viewpoint - this is Mynydd Mawr from one of the deep-cut gullies which slice into the summit.
IMG_0054 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
There's an enticing view of the ridge ahead.
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Off we go
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
One of the notches in the ridge, with a view of the vertical strata on the crags of Trum y Ddysgl behind. The pointed peaks of Yr Eifl are just visible above the crags.
IMG_0076 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Another notch, with a view of the sea
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Anglesey in the distance
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The steeper section of the ridge ahead
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A little sit down before the start of the scrambling
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
On the crest of the ridge
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A pinnacle at the narrowest bit of the ridge
IMG_0100 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Scrambling direttissima
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The distant Arans from the summit of Mynydd Drws-y-Coed
IMG_0111 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Trum y Ddysgl from Mynydd Drws-y-Coed
IMG_0118 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view back from the col between Drws-y-Coed and Ddysgl
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Snowdon from the ridge to Ddysgl
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The top of Trum y Ddysgl, very pleased with ourselves
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
I lagged behind a bit to get this shot of our group setting off on the ridge to Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Then i caught up with them as we got the narrower bit
IMG_0162 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Tal-y-mignedd summit, a good place for: taking photos
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
having lunch
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
climbing the pillar
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
a quick way down
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
safe landing
IMG_0223 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Heading back to Trum y Ddysgl. The light and colours were especially beautiful for this stage of the walk
IMG_0229 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The two boys were faster than the rest of us
IMG_0263 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Back to the narrowest bit of the ridge - what Poucher called "the hiatus". Years ago I found a quad bike parked here.
IMG_0268 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Descending the south ridge of Trum y Ddysgl towards Bwlch-y-Ddwy-Elor. Cnicht and the Moelwyns in the backgroudn, with the hazy outline of Arenig Fawr between them.
IMG_0283 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
On the lower part of the ridge, with Moel Hebog and Moel Lefn in the background.
IMG_0284 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Snowdon group and Yr Aran from Bwlch-y-Ddwy-Elor. This quote explains the origin of the name of this pass between Rhyd-ddu and Cwm Pennant -
"I remember my grandfather telling me tales that he had been told of the struggles that took place to carry the dead from one village to another over the hillside, swapping the 'biers' on the summit ridge and then carrying the deceased down to the chapel for burial whilst taking the empty bier back" (
http://footlesscrow.blogspot.com/2012/12/hills-of-home.html)
IMG_0286 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Crossing a stream on the way back
IMG_0296 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
That afternoon at Llyn Cwellyn, Y Garn in the background.
IMG_0311 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Sheepdog outside the Snowdon Ranger hostel
IMG_0333 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
The next day we did the wonderful low-level circular walk from Beddgelert to Llyn Dinas and Aberglaslyn.
The river Glaslyn near Llyn Dinas
IMG_0343 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Llyn Dinas with Moel Meirch in the background
IMG_0351 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Looking back from the start of the path up to Bwlch-y-Sygyn
IMG_0365 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
A little further, and Snowdon and Lliwedd came into view
IMG_0372 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Cnicht see side-on from near Bwlch-y-Sygyn
IMG_0381 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Snowdon
IMG_0377 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
From here, the mini-mountains Mynydd Sygyn and Moel y Dyniewyd could be added to the walk (we didn't)
The hills here have holes in them! - dropping down to the Sygyn mine in the valley hundreds of feet below. The colours are from the various ores (copper is the most common)
IMG_0386 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Quartz veins
IMG_0395 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
From here, a miniature hanging valley, Cwm Bychan (little hollow) leads down to Aberglaslyn.
IMG_0397 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Old mine workings and a disused cableway, rather than spoiling the beauty, add to the interest of the walk. Especially for the kids.
IMG_0427 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
One of the tunnels can be explored if you have wellies (we did)
IMG_0417 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
The lower valley gives views of the Rhinogs and Moelwyns
IMG_0448 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Finally the valley descends to sea level amid native oakwoods and a jumble of huge boulders.
IMG_0477 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
IMG_0487 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
The path then leads into the Glaslyn gorge, with Myydd Sygyn towering above.
IMG_0491 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
The path follows the Glaslyn back to Beddgelert.
IMG_0523 by
HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
More explorations
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
And more river
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Looking back to the path above the river
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Nearly there - pizza and ice cream in Beddgelert backoning
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr
Sheer terror
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HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr