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Jun 24th 2009
I`ve had this walk in mind for a while now and with an excellent weather forecast I thought i`d give it ago.
Got to the car park at Idwal cottage SH649604 OL17 booted up and walking at about 7-15am. Taking the path
from the car park signed Llyn Idwal I followed this well made path until it turned sharp right where I followed a
another path heading SE to Llyn Bochlwyd.The views were opening up and I got my first view of the west side of
Tryfan.
Gradually gaining height it wasn`t long before I reached the lake, it is apparently nicknamed Lake Australia
because of its shape, but this cannot be seen from this level. But still had to take a couple of photo`s the
second using the canisp technique of holding the camera a couple of inches above the water.Thanks for that
tip canisp it gives a completely different perspective to the shot.
- Llyn Bolchlwyd
- canisp technique
Leaving the lake the path got rockier and steeper on route to Bwlch Tryfan where there were great views up
Bristley Ridge. I`d read about this way up to the ridge but thought I`d have a good look before deciding my
route.It didn`t take me long to decide,not today thank-you.
- Bristley Ridge
My route to the ridge was to the left of Bristley up a very steep scree slope it was very loose scree and a real
effort but it gave time to admire the views with the amount of rests I was having.
- Tryfan south peak and scree slope
Eventually reaching the ridge a young chap caught me up having come up the same way we spoke a bit about
Bristley,he had done it before but didn`t fancy doing it on his own with no-one else about,sensible.
He went on his way and I made my to the summit of Glyder Fach, I really had to watch my footing with the gaps
in the rocks eagerly looking for an ankle to break or twist.But the views were worth the earlier efforts.
- Lake Australia
- Ogwen Valley
- Crib Goch,Crib Ddysgi,Snowdon
- Glyder Fach plateau
- Castell y Gwynt
Descending down to Bwlch y Ddwy Glyder the going was alot easier and so was the ascent to Glyder Fawr where
it was time for a break and to enjoy the views over to the Carneddau.
- Carneddau in the background
Suitably refreshed the next leg was to descend to Llyn y Cwn this was again very steep and very loose scree making
it a difficult descent.
- canisp technique again
From here it was up again to Y Garn the old legs begining to feel it a bit now but a good solid surface made it a bit
easier.Had a brief chat to another bloke only the fifth person I`d seen on such beautiful day, but he explained he`d
tried to park at Pen y pass for Snowdon but the park was full even though he`d arrived before 9am.A quick photo
of Angelsey and I was on my way again.
- Angelsey over the Menai Strait
Leaving Y Garn northwards I must have gone into complacency mode as I day dreamed my way down intending to
descend back to the car by the north east ridge path, I suddenly realised I`d over shot this by at least a kilometre
and about a 150 metres descent so after looking at the map I thought I might as well go for Foel -goch and make
my way down from there which I did.There was no path marked on the map so it was a matter of trying to find
the safest and least steep route and after what seemed an age I made it to the old A5 and tarmaced it back to
the car.Not what I`d planned but something different.