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

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Different choices of route and technique

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Split boulder below the crags of Y Garn

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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.

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There's an enticing view of the ridge ahead.

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Off we go

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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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Anglesey in the distance

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The steeper section of the ridge ahead

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A little sit down before the start of the scrambling

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On the crest of the ridge

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A pinnacle at the narrowest bit of the ridge

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Scrambling direttissima

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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

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The view back from the col between Drws-y-Coed and Ddysgl

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Snowdon from the ridge to Ddysgl

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The top of Trum y Ddysgl, very pleased with ourselves

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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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Then i caught up with them as we got the narrower bit

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Tal-y-mignedd summit, a good place for: taking photos

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having lunch

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climbing the pillar

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a quick way down

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safe landing

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Heading back to Trum y Ddysgl. The light and colours were especially beautiful for this stage of the walk

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The two boys were faster than the rest of us

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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

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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

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The next day we did the wonderful low-level circular walk from Beddgelert to Llyn Dinas and Aberglaslyn.

The river Glaslyn near Llyn Dinas

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Llyn Dinas with Moel Meirch in the background

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Looking back from the start of the path up to Bwlch-y-Sygyn

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A little further, and Snowdon and Lliwedd came into view

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Cnicht see side-on from near Bwlch-y-Sygyn

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Snowdon

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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

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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.

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One of the tunnels can be explored if you have wellies (we did)

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The lower valley gives views of the Rhinogs and Moelwyns

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Finally the valley descends to sea level amid native oakwoods and a jumble of huge boulders.

IMG_0477 by HalfManHalfTitanium, on Flickr

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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.

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More explorations

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And more river

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Looking back to the path above the river

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Nearly there - pizza and ice cream in Beddgelert backoning

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Sheer terror

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