Moel Siabod in the mist

[susanmyatt]

Hello, we ventured to Snowdonia on saturday and spent the day in a rain and mist pocket while most people had good sunshine. We parked at Capel Curig and were to attack Moel Siabod at 872 metres from the east and take in the scramble. This meant passing the old quarry workings and buildings, a poignant reminder of past industry and people in this region. This was my second ascent, and we would return the way my husband and I ascended on the other occaision, to the north and the A4086. Not many good photos as the visibility was very poor

Approach to quarry workings

Quarry buildings

Quarry buildings

Reflections in the quarry pool

Despite the conditions the old midges were still after me and it was time to cover up my yellow jacket which they love and apply some more repellent.

Those darn midges !

Visibility was so poor that we were struggling to find the trig point even when at the shelter which we knew from past visits wasn't that far away It took map, compass and GPS

Lads try compass and GPS

Summit views

Just before we reached the road and the Plas-y-Brenin Outdoor Center we usually get a great view of Snowdon, this was ours, and it was clearing at that

View to Snowdon

It is said that from the summit one can see, without movement of the head, 13 of the 14 highest peaks in Wales. We could just about see one, that was ours , stay safe, Sue

[mountain coward]

I think I know the ridge you mean for the scramble. It's the one which, after you've passed a load of quarry workings, pools, tips etc. you come to a nice largeish llyn (lake) and the ridge starts just after that. There is a great choice of routes from not scrambling at all to quite stiff scrambles. I love that ridge and practice on it when I'm in Wales to get my confidence up for scrambling in Scotland and suchlike. The rock is so grippy in the dry. Bet it wasn't that grippy if it was a misty and drizzly day though. It's a nice route on a nice mountain that's for sure.

[susanmyatt]

Hi MC, if I remember the last time you were there we were on Snowdon. It was that scramble and it was very slippy and I lost my footing several times. Here's to a better weekend coming, best regards, Sue

[mountain coward]

It's so humid today here that you'd slip anyway due to the excessive dampness without it even raining!

[johnovey]

Hi Susan
We are off to Snowdonia in a couple of weeks. Looks like an interesting walk.
Do you have the waypoints of your route?
PS. well done on the past reports, they have made very good reading....keep up the good work!!!
Cheers
John

[susanmyatt]

Thanks for that John, my husband has put the route on a gpx file if that helps, if you don't want the scramble you can ascend and descend the same way, that is right out of Capel Curig until you reach the Plas y Brenin outdoor center and turn left down through the woods (our descent), good luck, don't forget to post the walk. Great views of Snowdonia's finest peaks

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

[mountain tortoise]

Hi there
If you do not want to do scramble at Daear Ddu but want to go the same way as Sue you can go south around Daear DDu and pick up another path which then climbs around the back to the summit.

[johnovey]

Thanks for that advice and the map of your route. I fancy having a go at the scrambling tho if its not too scary.....will probably follow your route up and see how we go
Will let you know how we get on.

[mountain coward]

You can avoid nearly all the scrambling anyway and certainly don't have to do anything scary. If I'm having a very mountain-cowardly day I avoid the bad bits, otherwise I have a play on them. You really can make it as hard or easy as you like!

[mountain tortoise]

Totally agreed with Mountain Coward, Siabod is great cos you can make it as easy or as hard as you like. The scramble is not that big a deal even I have done it lots of times and I do not do scrambles if I am going to hold others up being slow and all.