sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aran Fawddwy, Arenigs, Arenig Fach, Arenig Fawr, Cadair Idris, Carneddau

Walks andScrambles This bookbelongsto: This page: Cneifon Arete Photo: EilirDavies-Hughes Cover photo: Bristly Ridge Fax59 -ISBN9781873341636 100% virgin fibre sourced from sustainable forestry papermadefromThis bookisprinted onFSC-certified A CIPcatalogue record isavailable from Library. theBritish writtenotherwise withoutprior ofthecopyright owner. permission form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying or reproduced, stored inaretrieval system, ortransmitted inany reserved.All rights ofthispublication may Nopart be © ROCKFAX 2020 Published by ROCKFAX inNovember 2020 Contains OSdata ©Crown copyright 2020 anddatabase right All mapsby ROCKFAX Distributed by Cordee (cordee.co.uk) (ISO 14001 printers) andFSCcertified Printed Limited inEurope LFBookServices Other photography ascredited All uncredited photography by Reeves Mark Edited by Alan James andRebecca Ting Written by Reeves Mark (Diff) -p.174CwmCneifion. (1+) -p.159 . Mark ReevesMark 1 Snowdonia Winter South Snowdonia West Snowdonia Moelwyns Glyders Skills Introduction Ridge North East Face of Tryfan Tryfan Bach. Capel and Cwm Curig Tryfan Glyders from Pass . Glyders from Marchlyn . Area Overview . Glyders . Snakes andLadders . Snowdon Area from . Llanberis Snowdon Area from Pass Llanberis Snowdon from Pen yPass Snowdon from NantGwynant. Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddu Area Overview . Snowdon Mountain Fauna . Mountain Flora Geology . Snowdonia Environment . Skills Gear . Skills Snowdonia Winter Advanced Belaying Pitching Short Taking theRope for a Walk . Knots . Equipment Descents Emergency Abseil Body Belaying Emergency Belays inEasy . Managing Risk. Progressive Approach Scrambling Grades Snowdonia Scrambling Skills Mountain Weather . Wild Camping Navigation Snowdonia HillSkills Maps andSmartphones Other Gear Footwear Clothing . Snowdonia Gear Shops, Walls, GuidesandInstructors . Area Map. Accommodation, Pubs andCafes . Emergency Procedures . Snowdonia Logistics. Acknowledgements Rockfax Publications Other Publications . arising fromarising suchpersons seeking reliance onthisguidebook asanassurance for theirown safety. of thisbook donotrecognise for or damagecaused to, any liability injury orby, orproperty individuals, third parties own judgementasto theappropriateness ofany given route onany given day. The authors, publisher anddistributors any given route canalter over bothtime andwithclimaticconditions. It isupto individualhill-goers to exercise their the accuracy ofthose descriptions. Similarly thegrades we have usedinthisguide are subjective andthe difficulty of oftheroutesThe descriptions within thisguideare here for historical record only andnoreliance shouldbeplaced on route. effort Every hasbeenmadeto provide you withup-to-date accessinformation but thiscanbesubject to change. The inclusionofaroute inthisguidebookdoes notmeanyou have to ofaccessorright walk aright orclimbthegiven ...... Contents ...... Snowdonia :Mountain Walks andScrambles Access andPersonal Participation . . 120 148 138 136 128 126 124 134 100 116 110 88 80 73 66 52 54 50 49 48 42 38 32 28 27 22 82 78 72 62 60 59 58 55 53 52 47 46 44 39 30 26 24 20 45 14 19 18 16 12 10 74 4 8 Cwm Pennant Ridge. from Rhyd-Ddu . Area Overview . Map and Area Index . List . Graded Tick General Index . Route Index LemSpur Carneddau -Crib Carneddau -CwmLloer Glyders - Glyders -CwmCneifion andCwmIdwal . Glyders Winter . - TheTrinitySnowdonFace . Snowdon -CwmGlasBach. Snowdon Winter Snowdonia Winter . . Cadair from Idris theSouth. Cadair from Idris theNorth Rhinog Fach from theEast from theEast Rhinog Fawr from the West . Traverse oftheRhinogs. The . Area Overview . South Snowdonia Llyn Peninsular From West Snowdonia From . Moelwyns from NantGwynant Moel Siabodfrom Area Area Overview . Moelwyns . . The Welsh Far Carneddaufrom Eastern Conwy Valley fromCrimpau Capel Curig CarneddaufromEastern A5 Carneddaufrom Southern A5 . Carneddau from Bethesda. Northwest Carneddau from the Northern A55 Area Overview . Carneddau Carnedd yFiliast from NantFfrancon Foel-goch from NantFfrancon from OgwenY Garn Cottage . Cwm Cneifion andCwmIdwal Glyder Fawr . -yGribin Face -North Glyder Fach from Ogwen South Ridgeof Tryfan West Face of Tryfan ...... 240 238 236 234 245 242 283 228 226 288 286 285 284 282 280 278 275 272 266 264 262 258 256 254 253 252 250 248 244 232 224 222 220 202 268 246 190 215 188 194 276 214 198 192 186 184 170 168 160 156 155 150 210 274 3 Snowdonia Winter South Snowdonia West Snowdonia Moelwyns Carneddau Glyders Snowdon Skills

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 55 Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles and Walks : Mountain Snowdonia Introduction The of Snowdonia have long been long been have of Snowdonia The Mountains the From heart. cherished in my I have a place teenage schoolboy, as a moment I visited first me. magnetism for held a strange the area the the heady mix of do with to Something and shock and the exploration of adventure did I Little of the rugged beauty. natural awe be I would later 30 years then that over know in these working and playing making a living from or pastime, than just a livelihood More mountains. It is why me. to a therapy are these mountains each and them is so strong; with the bond I have soul hills my these onto out step time I every cleansed. feels of these the joy shares I hope that this book first it is your Whether with you. mountains the beauty thousandth, or your in mountain and look you everywhere found is of Snowdonia In sharing and difficulty. of scale level at every the you I am offering like it feels them with you, and beyond. the whole of the National Park to key included the best I have that zeitgeist, capture To and scrambling , mountain hillwalking, offer, has to Snowdonia winter any everyone, is something for that there showing some Combining weather. and in any time of year alongside days very mountain popular classic this guide will some unique activities and walks, some of the beauty to hidden amongst lead you peaks of North and mountain valleys the crags, Wales. those I use at work in or chosen are The routes or way all classic in one are They time. own my track the beaten off another and will help get you (like of the routes Many and again. now every and, on popular extremely itself) are Snowdonia of with crowds be crawling may day, given any some quieter are there assured, Rest people. worth that are seeking out if solitude backwaters crave. is what you Reeves Mark Instructor Mountaineering Author, and Climbing Coach Introduction (Diff) - (Diff) - ScramblesAmongst the HighAlps by EdwardWhymper - 1871 to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end." destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may "Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are Scrambles and Walks : Mountain Snowdonia

Arete out on the amazing on Cneifion topping A scrambler - as the sun starts to set in Cwm Cneifion. Photo: Jethro KiernanJethro Photo: p.174 - as the sun starts set in Cwm Cneifion. to 44 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter 6 Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles Introduction Introduction Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles 7

Using this Guidebook Grades Understanding the Route Description Scrambling Topo Key This guidebook covers the best hillwalking, The routes covered in this book drop into Topo number Route name Stars Symbols Tick box Descent Skills mountain walking, scrambling and winter three categories each with their own grading 1 A Ridge ...... 3lhΩ 1 mountaineering across Snowdonia and system and a corresponding colour code. Skills Distance Ascent Descent Height Gain . With all Rockfax guidebooks If you are used to Rockfax colour codes in Variation pitch each chapter has lots of information and our books, be warned that the 8km 3-4 hours 2 hours 550m (see route features to help you find and assess the equivalent difficulty levels don't translate to description) Distance - This is the distance from the parking to the end of right route for you. Our aim is to have all the this book. What would normally be a green the route. Sometimes this will only be a rough guide as there are

Snowdon information at your fingertips and you should spot rock climbing in our other books is a red multiple options on the route or the descent. not have to turn more than a few pages to spot in this one. Ascent - The time taken to get to the top of the route. Some routes are only described to their top and not the summit Snowdon get from an overview to a map and a topo and linking to the summit, or to another route, is required. with a description. Walking Grades - Green Spot Ascent time is calculated based on 3-4 kilometres per hour plus The walks have a description grade only. 30 seconds per contour. With scrambles of grade 2 and above it is assumed that there is some use of ropes. If you are soloing Using a Smartphone with this Book Easy - A walk which has good paths, easy Belay without ropes the time will usually be shorter. on rock scan for map for scan terrain, will not take all day and has less than Glyders Each parking area has a GPS Descent - The time taken to descend from the top of the route or climbing location and an associated 300m of ascent. summit. Again, be cautious if the route does not top out on the route Mod - A moderate walk that either takes mountain as heading to the summit may take longer. However, Glyders QR code. Just point your this is taken into account on routes where this is the only option. smartphone camera at the all day but has little ascent or one that is Height Gain - The amount of ascent in metres from the carpark code and it should open in your a shorter day out and has over 300m of to the highest point on the route. chosen navigation app to drive ascent. Some of the terrain may be rocky First Paragraph - An overview of the route and a brief Carneddau underfoot. you straight to the parking spot. introduction to its character and any salient points. It usually Hard - A full day out with over 300m of also includes the starting point. ascent, usually up a mountain peak and Route Description - A step by step account of the route.

Rockfax Digital 2) Annotation Carneddau with potentially rocky terrain underfoot. No For walks, this starts the moment you leave the starting point. All Rockfax rock climbing For scrambles and climbs the approach to the base of the route corresponding scrambling except the odd small step. is covered first. The walk and scramble descriptions are broken to description publications are also available section number in a digital format through our down into small sections which are cross-referenced on the Scrambling Grades - Orange Spot photo-topo with an annotation with the same number. 1 2 Moelwyns app. In this book many of the For scrambling the difficulty is assessed Rock climbs are broken down into pitch-by-pitch descriptions scrambles and all the rock usually with lengths and belays marked on the topo. using the widely accepted UK grading Route climbs have been added to the Descent - Descents may be covered with the route or elsewhere 3 system that bands scrambles in three grades on the page if there is a group of routes with the same descent. described on Moelwyns digital guide for North Wales different page 1, 2 and 3 sometimes with a + suffix. Often there is more than one descent option. Link-ups with other Climbs and some of the winter routes are also described. These are covered in more detail on p.44. Walking 4 West Snowdonia climbs to North Wales Winter. approach Rockfax Digital is available by subscription Climbing Grades - Red Spot Route Symbols from rockfax .digital This book includes a few easy rock climbs 1 Good route which is well worth doing. Map Key scan for map for scan that are of a mountaineering nature. These 2 Good route which is well worth doing. GPS Coordinates

are slightly harder than grade 3+ and we of parking Snowdonia West have used the traditional UK trad climbing 3 Brilliant route, one of the best in Snowdonia. A Roads

South SnowdoniaSouth Map symbols grades of Diff, VDiff and Severe. There are l Some loose rock may be found - take care. key p.19 1 Walking route no climbs graded Moderate in this book covered on page h Fluttery climbing, exposed and scary moves. QR code for since these are given a scrambling grade III. Path smartphone k Wide cracks or uncomfortable, awkward moves. navigation to parking Winter Grades - Orange Spot m Winter route on which two ice axes are advised. Summit (999m) Walking route South Snowdonia The short Snowdonia Winter section uses covered on Snowdonia Winter j Winter route on which one is advised. nearby page the British Winter climbing grading system Lakes I, II and III with split grades like II/III used A very quiet location, likely to be deserted. occasionally. Quiet location, a few other people at most. A crag 2 Scrambling Busy with other walkers or scramblers. route More on maps on Scale A very busy location with lots of people. p.35 Winter Snowdonia 8 Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles Other Publications Other Publications This is one of the first and biggest books to cover both mountain walking and scrambles

Skills (over 200 walks and scrambles covered) but several other books cover the mountains of Snowdonia.

Skills Books There are some excellent technical books which go into much more detail than the

Snowdon skills pages in this book. TradClimbing+ (Rockfax) 2017 WinterClimbing+ (Rockfax) 2009 Hillwalking (Mountain Training) 2014 Rock Climbing (Mountain Training) 2011 Winter Skills (Mountain Training) 2007 Navigation in the Mountains Glyders (Mountain Training) 2012

Natural History Nature of Snowdonia (Pesda Press) 2015

Carneddau Rock Trails Snowdonia (Pesda Press) 2013

Walking Guides Mountain Walking Snowdonia (Cicerone) 2016

Moelwyns Day Walks in Snowdonia (Vertebrate) 2012 Ridges of Snowdonia (Cicerone) 2005

West Snowdonia Scrambling Guides Scrambles in Snowdonia (Cicerone) 2017 North Wales Scrambles (Northern Edge Books) 2018 Scrambles and Easy Climbs

South SnowdoniaSouth in Snowdonia (Grey Stone Books) 2005

Web Sites Some great web resources that are worth looking at.

Snowdonia Winter UKHillwalking .com UKClimbing .com UKScrambles .com Rockfax .digital

Photo: Senior's Ridge (1) - see page 177 10 Rockfax Publications

Rockfax publish predominantly rock climbing information to areas all over Skills Europe in digital and print. The company SNOWDONIA was started in 1990 and since then we have published 63 guidebooks and 4 performance books, redefining the style of guidebooks in the modern era. MOUNTAIN GUIDES

Snowdon Guidebooks Rockfax North Wales Guidebooks Join us for your next adventure Our printed guidebooks use modern We have three guides to North Wales all written publishing techniques to create visually- by Mark Reeves of Snowdonia Mountain Guides TEL: 07872 565225 snowdoniamountainguides.com stunning books. We use inspiring action - see opposite photos, huge photo-topos, detailed text descriptions and clear maps to SCRAMBLING WALKING CLIMBING

Glyders create the most user-friendly climbing and scrambling guidebooks available. GUIDING INSTRUCTION COACHING rockfax .com

Rockfax Digital Rockfax Digital is the most advanced Carneddau climbing app in the world. A subscription to UK Rock Climbing Rockfax Digital opens Books to all the major rock climbing areas in up the entire current and Wales -18 guidebooks. catalogue of information to your smart phone.

Moelwyns It is available on iOS and Android. rockfax .digital

UKHillwalking/UKClimbing

West Snowdonia Logbook Route Database If you like to log your days in the hills either for personal or professional European Climbing and Mountaineering reasons, the UKClimbing/UKHillwalking Books to mountaineering, sport climbing Logbook system has a comprehensive and in Spain, France, Greece, list of mountain summits and most of the and Norway - 11 guidebooks.

South SnowdoniaSouth scrambles, easy rock climbs and winter routes across the UK. This includes all the summits, scrambles and winter routes in this book. As such keeping an up-to-date logbook for yourself or for professional reasons is quick and

Snowdonia Winter simple. UKHillwalking also has many of Snowdonia Mountain Guides the routes in this book covered by route is run by Mark Reeves, cards with some online maps. author of this book and two UKClimbing .com Performance other Rockfax guidebooks to A series of climbing performance UKHillwalking .com climbing in Snowdonia coaching books covering sport, trad and winter climbing. Photo: (1) - see page 96 12 Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Snowdonia : Mountain Walks and Scrambles 13

About the Author I was also lucky enough to have a team of local Rob Johnson If I have missed anyone out from these Mark Reeves is a mountaineering and climbing instructors help check many of the descriptions Rob Johnson is a local guide who is a specialist acknowledgements then I can only apologise. as we were forced into lockdown during the With a book of such magnitude, despite having Skills instructor based in North Wales. in photography and videography from drones Mark has climbed, scrambled and walked COVID-19 outbreak. This included Rachel and otherwise. There are a few of his photos the author's name on the front hinting otherwise, Skills extensively in Snowdonia and written and Crewesmith, Alex Kay, Simon Verspeak, Johnny in this book that really capture the atmosphere this truly has been a team effort spread over photographed the area since 1995. He is the Schofield, Stuart Lade and Ian Martin. of some of the routes. Find out more through many years. main author of two climbing guidebooks also Assembling the finished book is a huge task. I expeditionguide .com and filmuphigh com. published by Rockfax - North Wales Climbs and would like to thank Rebecca Ting and Dan Bailey Mark Reeves, October 2020 North Wales . for their proof reading. Karl Midlane

Snowdon This, his third book, uses his experience to For a final oversight we have been helped by Karl is another instructor who has spent a lot of Advertiser Directory capture the spirit of the mountains of Snowdonia a long time friend and colleague Dave Evans time exploring the area. In recent years he has Rockfax is extremely grateful to the following added a camera and I hope you agree he has and show their true beauty. It is as much a whose knowledge is equal to or greater than the companies that have supported this guidebook. Snowdon celebration of the mountains it covers as it is a author. Dave is ball of energy and works at Plas mastered that as well! Awesome Walls - Inside back cover tool to help you enjoy them. y Brenin but we have been truly lucky to manage karlmidlane .co .uk to get him on his days off to give the final checks awesomewalls co. .uk Contributors to this book. Mike Hutton Joe Brown Shops - Outside back cover Mike's work in adventure photography is Glyders Many people have contributed to this guide. climbers-shop .com Photographers renowned. He is a major contributor to Rockfax Some simply came out on various adventures Trekitt - Inside front cover The book is visually stunning thanks in no small guidebooks and for good reason. Glyders with the author to help check a few of the more trekitt co. .uk obscure routes. Others have offered advice on part to the amazing contributions from a whole mikehuttonimages .com route descriptions or images of many of the host of different photographers. Many of them are V12 - p.2 routes. However small their contribution, they also guides or instructors in the region as well. Tom Hecht V12outdoor .com have help turn this book into one of the most I first met Tom when he was starting out as an Carneddau Orange Mountaineering - p.21 Jethro Kiernan instructor, it has been great to see him develop complete and visually compelling books to the orange-mountaineering com. mountain walks and scrambles in Snowdonia. Jethro has been an active outdoor photographer into not only in instruction but in writing and The list of such people is long and includes too for years capturing many amazing images of photography. Head On Out - p.9 Carneddau many of my clients to mention, although many climbers in action in Snowdonia and beyond. We headonout co. .uk are really privileged to have some of his amazing There were also many other photographers who feature in the action shots as well as several DMM - p.29 images in this book. Find out more about Jethro's have help fill the gaps in imagery. Thanks to friends like Duncan Spencer, Natasha Lucas and dmmclimbing com. Simon Lake. photography and guiding at jethrokiernan .com Cordelia Malloy, Rusty Bale, Olly Sanders, Bryn Moelwyns Williams, Jez Brown, Jon Sparks, Oliver Cain, Special thanks for Elfyn Jones, for his help with Eilir Davies-Hughes the Mountain Rescue and Mountaineering Welsh Luca Celano, Guy Steven, Myfyr Tomos, John I was reintroduced to Eilir as part of a photoshoot Worral, Alex Riley, Jack Thompsett, James Kelly

section. Moelwyns to capture the Snowdon Horseshoe for an Thanks also to Liz Jenkins for her tech and Jim Jones. outdoor clothing company. As a young, up-and- support with QGIS mapping software. Liz runs coming photographer this chance meeting snowdoniaclassiccampers .co .uk. West Snowdonia was serendipitous since Eilir's images are truly stunning, and the effort he has put into his photography is amazing. Check out his work at eiliradventurephotography .co .uk West Snowdonia West South SnowdoniaSouth South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter

A quiet evening on Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl (1) - p.96 - as the

sun sets behind Snowdon and Carnedd Ugain. Photo: Jethro Kiernan Winter Snowdonia

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 15

(Hard) - p.88 - as the path starts Bwlch Moch. (Hard) climbing to The Track PYG It may look busy (estimate 76 people) but this is a standard spring weekend spring weekend this is a standard people) but 76 (estimate look busy It may on Logistics Snowdonia Snowdonia 14 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter 16 Snowdonia Logistics Emergency Procedures Emergency Procedures Snowdonia Logistics 17

Mountain Rescue In the event of a mountain incident requiring the assistance of Mountain Rescue

Skills Dial 112 or 999 and ask for 'POLICE' and then 'MOUNTAIN RESCUE'.

If the incident is on the coast dial 999 and ask for 'THE COASTGUARD'. Skills Reporting an Incident Helicopter Procedure When you ring in an incident requiring If a helicopter has been tasked then there mountain rescue the operator, and then the are a few things you can do to aid their

Snowdon Mountain Rescue Coordinator, will need arrival. Get any spare bags, equipment, various pieces of information from you. people and clothing gathered together

1) What has happened? Give an overview well away from the casualty site and get Snowdon of the incident. someone if possible to sit on them as the 2) If there is a casualty with injuries, what downdraft can easily blow people off their are these injuries? feet. If you are climbing/scrambling nearby, 3) What is the name of the casualty or make sure you are secured to the as Glyders missing person? well.

4) Where are you and/or the casualty? If you need to attract the helicopter, stand Glyders A map grid reference, a location from your up and make a 'Y' shape with your arms phone or a route name and rough position in the air and if possible with your back to on the route like pitch number are all worth the wind. Don't wave (everybody waves at

Carneddau knowing. helicopters), remain still and the helicopter 5) How many people are in the group? Are should come in to hover in front of you if you wearing any identifying bright coloured the wind is against you back. At this point

garments? you can probably back away from the Carneddau aircraft and do not approach it unless you First Aid are beckoned over by the aircrew as those It can be at least an hour before the rescue spinning blades are extremely dangerous. Moelwyns team arrives so you may well need to administer some first aid while you wait. Smartphone Apps A basic first aid course will help with this Smartphones have apps that can help you Moelwyns but a simple acronym is DR ABC. be found quickly. Echo122 has an SOS 'D' Danger - Is it safe for you to get to the button that will call the correct emergency West Snowdonia casualty? service whatever country you are in. In 'R' Responsive - Are they responsive/ Google Maps you can tap on your blue dot conscious? location and 'Share' this easily via a text 'A' Airway - Is their airway open and message or similar. The rescue team may

unobstructed? send you a SARLOC message - just click Snowdonia West 'B' Breathing - Are they breathing? the link they send you and it updates their South SnowdoniaSouth 'C' Circulation - Is their heart rate normal map with your current location. and is there a major bleed? Beyond this we can look for other North Wales Mountain Rescue injuries and keep the casualty warm and This is the umbrella organisation of the comfortable, but without breathing or a search and rescue organisations who South Snowdonia pulse the casualty will die quickly. deploy to mountain rescues across North Snowdonia Winter Wales. The main teams in North Wales are Llanberis MRT, Ogwen MRT, South Snowdonia MRT, SRT, Aberglaslyn MRT and North East Wales MRT, all The coastguard winching a casualty supported by the Search Dog at SARDA. off Crib Goch. Photo: Oliver Cain Find out more at nwmra .org Winter Snowdonia 18 Snowdonia Logistics Accommodation, Pubs and Cafes Accommodation, Pubs and Cafes Snowdonia Logistics 19

Accommodation Holiday Rentals This Map Other Maps 20km Tourist Information Fast food Often the most popular accommodation for There are many rental properties in Snowdonia Gear Shop Groceries Skills hillwalkers and mountaineers is camping which work out at a reasonable cost if bringing Climbing Wall Pharmacy

and there are loads of campsites all over the your whole family or a group of friends. Cafe Llandudno Penrhyn Bay Skills national park. These can vary from a farmer's Search 'Holiday Rentals Snowdonia'. Pub There are many more Camping pubs, cafes and Carneddau field with a basic toilet and a tap, all the way A55 YHA campsites than those p.190 Colwyn Bay through to large campsites with outstanding Pubs Bunkhouse marked on this map. Conwy facilities. In general, most campsites are happy There are many pubs across Snowdonia. Some A470 for you to turn up on spec on anything other Llanfairfechan Snowdon favourites are listed below but there are others. A55 than a bank holiday. Snowdonia Parc, - A nice pub with ukclimbing .com/listings/accommodation/ Bangor its own micro-brewery and good pub grub. Snowdon Gallt y Glyn, Llanberis - West of Llanberis. Carnedd Snowdon Area Camping Home to the famous Pizza and Pint. Bethesda Gwenllian Carnedd Jesse James Ogwen Llewelyn Nant Peris Campsites (p.110) - Two campsites The Heights, Llanberis - Not the climbing Bunkhouse Bunkhouse opposite the Vaynol Arms. centre it used to be but still a good pub. Glyders

Glyders p.120 Llanberis Camping (p.110) - Well placed for The , Llanberis - A nice quiet pub Lodge Gwern Llanrwst V12 Outdoor Uchaf Gwern Dinorwig Gof Isaf Llanberis paths - campinginllanberis .com with a pool table. p.2 Llanberis Nant Peris Joe Brown Shop Glyders Campsite (p.87) - Near the Padarn Lake, Llanberis - Restaurant and Glyder Outside back cover Joe Brown Shop Fach start of the Watkin Path - gwynant .com sports bar. Outside back cover Capel Curig Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Snowdonia Parc Campsite - Waunfawr next to Vaynol Arm, Nant Peris - Good beer, pub grub West Snowdonia Parc Snowdonia Parc pub - snowdonia-park .co .uk and a pool table. Can get busy. p.234 Rhyd-Ddu Snowdon

Carneddau Pen y Gwryd, - A bar steeped Penygroes p.74 Llyn Gwynant Ogwen Area Camping in mountaineering history. Snowdon A5 A470 Gwern Gof Uchaf (p.134) - Below Tryfan. Saracen Head, Beddgelert - Modernised bar Carnedd Coch Beddgelert Carneddau in the village. A487 Gwern Gof Isaf (p.211) - Close to Tryfan. Blaenau Trefor Capel Curig (p.214) - Two sites near A5. Cwellyn Arms, Rhyd Ddu - A good selection Cnicht p.222 of beers and nice food. Moelwyns Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig - Open to the Moelwyns Southern Snowdonia Camping public. Can get busy. Cwm Bychan (p.253) - The farm allows Tyn y Coed, Capel Curig - On the A5 between overnight parking and may allow camping. Capel and Betws-y-Coed. Moelwyns (p.259) - Two sites near the Cricceth The Stables, Betws-y-Coed - Busy in the Bala parking to the south of Cadair Idris. summer. West Snowdonia Hostels and Bunk Houses Cafes There are many hostels and bunkhouses in There are hundreds of cafes in Snowdonia and A470 Snowdonia. Rhinog Fawr you are never very far from coffee and cake at yha .org .uk the start or end of your walk. Rhinog Fach

independenthostels .co .uk Snowdonia West Pete's Eats, Llanberis - Well known outdoor A494

South SnowdoniaSouth cafe. Old school 'greasy spoon' food. Ben's Bunk House, Llanberis (p.110) Mafon, Llanberis - A lovely small cafe with a - bensbunkhouse .co .uk Aran Fawddwy modern healthy menu and excellent cake. Crashpad Lodges, Llanberis (p.110) Georgio's Ice Cream, Llanberis - A proper ice - crashpadlodges .com cream parlour. Pete's Eats Bunkhouse, Llanberis The Pantry, Llanberis - Small cafe attached to - petes-eats .co .uk Tourist Information Offices South Snowdonia an outdoor shop. Cadair Idris Maesglase There are Tourist information office A487 Snowdonia Winter Jesse James Bunkhouse, Penisarwaun Lodge, Dinorwig - A great cafe close to the - jessejamesbunkhouse .co .uk in Barmouth, Beddgelert, Betws- Dinorwig Slate Quarries. Lodge Dinorwig (p.114) y-Coed, Caernarfon, Llanberis, Cafe Siabod, Capel Curig - An amazing cafe p.246 - Lodge-Dinorwig .co .uk Llandudno and Porthmadog. South Snowdonia with good food and cake. Massive scones. Ogwen Bunkhouse, Ogwen (p.187) gonorthwales .co .uk Alpine Cafe, Betws y Coed - Monkey-themed - ogwenvalleybunkhouse .co .uk visitwales .com

cafe with a mind-blowing selection of cakes. visitsnowdonia .info Winter Snowdonia 20 Snowdonia Logistics Shops, Walls, Guides and Instructors

Outdoor Shops Guides and Instructors There are many outdoor shops in the If you are looking for guiding

Skills Snowdonia Area. If you are looking for or instruction to introduce specialist equipment then we recommend one you safely to scrambling at of the following: any level, you are advised to consider employing a Joe Brown Shop member of the Association of Menai Hall, High St, Llanberis. Mountaineering Instructors - ami .org uk. . Tel: 01286 870327 The AMI manages the ongoing competency Snowdon climbers-shop com. and continuing professional development of Specialist outdoor shop with large range of MCI (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor) clothing, walking and climbing gear. and WMCI (WinterMCI) trained and assessed See outside back cover instructors. You will find members across all the mountainous regions of the UK. V12 Outdoor Hiring a local guide means you will get The Old Baptist Chapel, High St, Llanberis.

Glyders someone with local knowledge of the routes Tel: 01286 871534 and conditions. Expect to pay upwards of £200 V12outdoor .com for a day's guiding. Specialist outdoor shop with large range of clothing, walking and climbing gear. Mark Reeves See page 2 Snowdonia Mountain Guides Tel: 07872 565225 Carneddau Joe Brown Shop snowdoniamountainguides .com Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed. See page 11 Tel: 01690 720205 climbers-shop .com Orange Mountaineering Specialist outdoor shop with large range of Tel: 07980 747804 clothing, walking and climbing gear. orange-mountaineering .com

Moelwyns See outside back cover See opposite Trekitt Head On Out 51 Eign Gate, Hereford. Tel: 07952 176029 Tel: 01432 263335 headonout co. .uk trekitt .co .uk See page 9 West Snowdonia Outside Snowdonia but a great web shop. See inside front cover Rob Johnson - expeditionguide .com More shops listed at - Rich Bale - snowdoniawalkingandclimbing .co uk. ukclimbing .com/listings/outdoor_shops/ Olly Sanders - rockandseadventures co. .uk Bryn Williams - bwmountaineering .com Jez Brown - JBmountainskills .co .uk South SnowdoniaSouth Climbing Walls Luca Celano - LucaCelano .com A great place to get started with climbing Guy Steven - guystevenguiding com. technique is a climbing wall and there are a Alex Riley - moelwynmountaineering .com number of good options in the Snowdonia area. Jack Thompsett - Inspiredguides .co .uk Beacon Climbing Wall, Caernarfon Stuart Lade - mountainindependence .co .uk Large dedicated climbing centre. Alex Kay - alexanderkay .co .uk beaconclimbing .com Snowdonia Winter Rachel Crewesmith - rachcrewe com. The Indy Climbing Wall, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll Tom Ripley - tomripleyguiding .com Specialist bouldering wall. indyclimbingwall .co .uk We have recommended a few local guides. Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig Check UKHillwalking .com/listings/ National Mountain Centre with extensive walls. instructors+guides/ which lists 60 living pyb .co .uk within 20km of Llanberis. Photo: Crib Goch (1) - see page 96

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 23

- on Glyder Fawr. Photo: Karl Midlane Karl Photo: Fawr. (1) - p.169 - on Glyder Gear

Snowdonia

A lone scrambler enjoys the exposed arete on y Gribin arete the exposed enjoys A lone scrambler 22 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter 24 Snowdonia Gear Clothing Clothing Snowdonia Gear 25

Clothing Mid-Layer (Fleece) Windproof Jackets (Soft Shell) Hat There is no such thing as inappropriate A fleece top is the standard mid-layer. The These are great if the weather is windy and Whether it is summer or winter a good hat

Skills weather, just inappropriate clothing! top brand versions can cost £100 or more. cold but not raining. They are much more can help make your day more pleasurable.

Being properly prepared for the hill first Cheaper options can be picked up from breathable than a waterproof, allowing you Take a warm hat for most of the year and a Skills means having the right clothing. There are many different shops and will do a decent to work at a higher rate of exertion without wide-brimmed summer hat for sun protection seasonal variations but some items are job. Unfortunately most fleece tops also sweat building up. A lightweight waterproof in the warmer months. essential in any conditions. contribute to micro-plastic pollution which is also fits into this category, but be aware that Check the big database of reviews at becoming an important consideration. the super light fabrics many top brands use Gloves for cold weather

Snowdon UKClimbing .com/gear/ are not very hard wearing, especially when but not full winter use. scrambling. Layered Clothing Snowdon Layered clothing means that you have a thin Trousers layer close to your body that wicks away For the legs a pair of lightweight trousers sweat, followed by some warmer, often fleecy made from man-made fibres are advised -

Glyders layers before you work up to a hard shell these will dry quickly after . Often these (waterproof jacket) or a soft shell (windproof will have a tight weave and will be pretty jacket). resistant to the wind. Shorts are fine for Glyders the summer providing you have options Base Layers should the weather turn. In winter, hard shell Base layers come in polyester-type trousers are essential. As with jackets the Carneddau man-made fabrics that are warm or natural price range is huge without necessarily the fibres like Merino wool. The latter is often same range in quality. Gloves

more expensive but less likely to become Carneddau Although you won't always wear gloves they smelly. Man-made fabrics do a decent job, A solid hard shell is an Proper hard shell over- but they are made from plastic and do essential addition to any kit list. trousers with full length zips. are important at the colder times of the year contribute to micro-plastic pollution. and in case the weather turns. Fleece gloves

Moelwyns Base layers can be long or short sleeved, Waterproof Jacket (Hard Shell) are warm but they are not good in the wind or with ropes, so tougher windproof options with the latter probably better for scrambling A good waterproof jacket is essential not just and the former for walking. Leggings come are advised. For scrambling you need gloves

for keeping you dry, but also as a windproof. Moelwyns with good leather palms and fingers to help in the same choice of fabrics. They are less If the weather turns rough then you can't with rope handling and climbing. essential except in winter as much of the rest afford to be without one. As with other items, there is a large range in West Snowdonia of the time you will find them too warm when There are many options ranging from very price. Cheaper options are worth considering walking or scrambling. expensive top brand heavy mountain shell since you are likely to wear them out more jackets, to lightweight cheap and cheerful quickly when scrambling. Wherever you buy options. Breathable fabrics are available but them, take the time to get the right size. these also come at a price premium. In terms of features, deep map pockets are Snowdonia West

South SnowdoniaSouth worth having, as are hand pockets. A helmet- Down or Synthetic Jacket Socks compatible hood is important if scrambling Warm jackets are not essential all year round That pair of 'outdoor' socks your mum but make sure it fits well without a helmet. but is a sensible addition to your rucksack brought you for Christmas really won't cut it With jackets you get what you pay for, away from the summer months. Although in the long run and good quality socks are although the price variation is huge. It is heavier overall for the same warmth, a relatively cheap investment that you won't

questionable whether a £500 jacket is synthetic versions tend to be less expensive regret. The best option is correctly-sized wool South Snowdonia

Snowdonia Winter in fact ten times better than a £50 jacket and still function when wet. Down feels great socks that are appropriate for the level of - it certainly won't last ten times longer. but budget options will have poor quality activity you are going to do. This is a case However, the top quality clothing is generally down and the fill pressure much less than where it is worth going for the better brands well made and has good features that often the big brands (and unlikely to be ethically since they simply last longer for the price. There are base/mid-layer options makes it worth the premium price if you can sourced). Most importantly down doesn't these days like this fleece. afford it. function well when wet. Snowdonia Winter Snowdonia 26 Snowdonia Gear Footwear Other Gear Snowdonia Gear 27

Footwear Approach Shoes Once you have your clothes there are Walking Poles Good footwear is of paramount importance Approach shoes are made like walking boots some other bits of gear that are extremely Walking poles help spread the effort

Skills when mountain walking or scrambling. You but low cut like trainers. Some people like useful. Climbing gear such as ropes and between all four limbs on hills and also

need something solid that gives you the them since they offer flexibility and lightness. protection, is covered from p .50 reduce the impact on your knees and hips Skills support you need, keeps you dry but also The trade off is that they lack support and when heading downhill. Two-section poles gives you grip and flexibility on different the ability to stand on small edges, which are fine when walking, but for scrambling, terrains. The best option for scrambling can be crucial on harder climbing sections. three-section is preferred since you can get is not always the best option for walking; As with walking boots, fit is key. them properly in your rucksack when not

Snowdon sometimes a compromise needs to be made using them. The cheaper ones are made of since you will seldom take two pairs of Mountaineering Boots (B2-B3) aluminium, but you can also get stronger footwear unless actually rock climbing. A mountaineering boot has a rigid insole so and lighter titanium or carbon fibre poles at Snowdon there is minimal flex in the sole of the boot. a heavier price tag. The collapsing systems This can help you stand on small edges, but vary but most work fine - avoid screw-lock they are less comfortable for walking long poles if you plan on using them in winter.

Glyders distances. Modern lightweight alpine boots are an excellent compromise between solid Head Torches Glyders mountaineering footwear but without the Much of the walking and scrambling in clumpy feel of a full-on winter boot. Where Wales is close to the road but there are still heavier mountaineering boots come into times when you risk getting caught out by their own is in winter when you want to use failing light. Having a head torch means that Carneddau or in-step crampons. In Wales darkness should not stop you. Some head you can often get away without full winter torches, aimed at the professional market, mountaineering boots for the easy gullies

are like turning on a second sun and cost a Carneddau and buttresses. small fortune. A simple head torch with an A good 35-40 litre rucksack. LED light will be more than enough to get most people off a hill in the dark. Moelwyns A quality B1 walking boot. Drinking Systems

Rucksacks The simplest solution is a bottle. This can Moelwyns Walking Boots (B0-B1) The first essential piece of equipment is be a bottle of spring water bought from the For the mountain walks described in this an appropriately sized rucksack to carry local shop or something more substantial

West Snowdonia book, walking boots are the best option. everything. A small 15-20 litre rucksack may like a commercial drink bottle or bladder These days they are usually lightweight with be all you need for a short walk up a minor hydration system. In cold weather a small leather or synthetic uppers and can come hill but Snowdonia is a little more demanding. half litre flask will deliver hot tea, bovril or with a waterproof lining, although this makes A 35-40 litre rucksack is usually essential, blackcurrant all day. It is important to take them unpleasantly sweaty for some people. especially in colder times of year or for enough water but it is heavy. When hot, or on West Snowdonia West A high ankle gives more support for walking, longer walks. A pack without side pockets long walks, you will need as much as 2 litres

South SnowdoniaSouth or a three-quarter ankle gives flexibility on More substantial mountaineering boots. allows you to strap poles and bottles to the per person which is 2kg of weight! Hydrating rough terrain and easy scrambling. side, but it is personal preference as to what before you set off and when you get back The price can vary dramatically but the most works for you and not advisable for harder can keep the weight down. important factor is fit so you must try on Rock Shoes scrambles. Most important is that the back different pairs from different brands. Rock shoes are advised for the rock system and hip belt fit well and allow you to Other Gear

Are they comfortable straight away? climbs in this book. In this case you do South Snowdonia take most of the weight on your hips rather It is always worth carrying a simple first aid

Snowdonia Winter How do your toes feel on downward slopes? need to carry them as an extra pair since than your shoulders. Back length is also kit including Compeed patches to catch Is there pressure on the heel at any point? you certainly don't want to approach and important - too short and you won't use the blisters before they form. A whistle is also One brand will often be a better fit than descend in them if you can avoid it. A hip belt properly, too long and you won't use a good idea since it can be a great help to another and this should dictate what boot is basic comfortable flat rock shoe is all that the shoulder straps to their best effect. This a rescue team in the last 100m in limited best for you. is required, preferably a stiffer model than is particularly important on more demanding visibility. some of the super-soft versions that are days when you will need to carry more kit. available these days. Winter Snowdonia 28 Snowdonia Gear Maps and Smartphones

Maps Compass This book has very detailed maps for each In order to properly navigate with your paper

Skills walk which also cover the approaches and map you also need a dedicated compass descents from the various scrambles and - don't rely on the one on your smartphone. easy rock climbs. In good conditions these The Silva Type 4 has a long plate on the maps may be all you need, especially if the front for taking bearings and using as a walk is popular, with well-marked paths. magnifying glass. Of course a compass is The vast majority of the time though it is only useful if you know how to use it so read

Snowdon strongly advised that you have access to our navigation section first - p.32. more detailed mapping. GPS Unit Smartphone or Paper A dedicated GPS unit is more reliable than Smartphone mapping provided through apps your smartphone and the modern ones like Viewranger or the come with mapping software built in. The

Glyders has some obvious advantages. You are batteries tend to last longer and they are almost certainly carrying and using your more robust but it is still recommended that smartphone anyway, and the apps also give you have a paper map as a back up. a precise GPS location which is a huge help in navigation. The disadvantage is that a smartphone has a battery life and is not

Carneddau waterproof. It also doesn't develop your navigation skills (p.32) which are essential for any serious hillwalker. Paper maps don't run out of batteries and work when wet, but they are bulky and don't show you where you are with a little blue dot.

Moelwyns We advise using a combination of both and strongly recommend that you carry a 1:25000 scale walking map with you on the majority of walks and scrambles in this book. Always buy waterproof maps since they only Map and Device Protection cost a little more and it is well worth the West Snowdonia You can get waterproof bags to protect extra protection they offer. maps and smartphones - these are a great OS App - This excellent app is relatively idea. Most have loop neck cords which cheap and gives you annual access to make quick viewing easier. Portable battery mapping at 1:25000 level for the whole chargers are also a good idea since these country. The only thing you have to be don't take up much space, but can bring an careful about is making sure you download South SnowdoniaSouth empty battery back to life. the mapping tiles before you set off, otherwise it will not show you anything useful when out of 4G signal. Rescue Apps OS 1:25000 Paper Maps - These are the There are a few apps like Echo112 that can most detailed maps available. The maps in be a help if you need a rescue. In Google this book are based on the OS 1:25000 free Maps you can tap on your blue dot location Snowdonia Winter mapping layer, but the OS versions have and 'Share' this easily via a text message or more details like walls and extra paths. similar. These days the rescue teams have Harvey's 1:25000 Paper Maps - These SARLOC, whereby they send you a text have almost as much detail as OS maps. message and you click on the link and send your position back to them. However this still requires a working smartphone!

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 31

Hill Skills

Snowdonia

A trainee mountain leader putting her leader putting mountain A trainee Brown Jez Photo: practice skills into navigation 30 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 33 33 9 min 6 min 3 min 2 kph 30 min 21 min 12 min 8 min 6 min 4 min 2 min 3 kph 20 min 10 min Walking speed Walking 6 min 3 min 4 kph 15 min 7.5 min 4.5 min 1.5 min Very fit - good paths Very Time to cover distance cover to Time Reasonably fit - rough terrain Reasonably fit - rough Fit - rough terrain - light snow - light terrain - rough Fit 5 min for 100m ascent 6 min 5 min 3 min 2 min 1 min Unfit - very rough terrain - deep snow Unfit - very terrain rough 5 kph 12 min -1 kph for heavy rucksack Snowdonia Hill Skills Snowdonia Add Add 5 min for 100m of very descent steep per 10m contour crossed per 10m contour 30 seconds Approximate walking speed for terrain walking speed for Approximate Add Add Add Add 1km 5 kph 4 kph 3 kph 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 1-2 kph distance Horizontal Horizontal example Worked (3 kph) = 8 min terrain on rough 400m distance = 2.5 min 50m height gain min = 10.5 this distance cover to Time Journey 5) 'Da' in The description of the journey key is chosen destination your get to helping you a series It is like chosen route. along your can instructions which you of step-by-step It is a pass them. as you on the way off tick and helping you of simplifying the route way are you where both memorise and recall to can reassess At each point you heading. to and duration description, direction your for. heading you are point find the next some of the strategies pages cover The next navigation. your improve to can use you The tables below can be used to work out to can be used below The tables walk. your section of of each the duration Navigation Type 4 Silva compass Silva 4 Type 4) Duration gain to time and takes on the flat walk To how Knowing time. additional height takes help in working is a great long it should take chosen navigation your get to out when you account into takes Naismith's Rule point. and vertical distance height. both horizontal the easiest but variations many are There distance, horizontal work out your is to contour 10m every then add 30 seconds for if height gain 100m for or 5 minutes crossed, is a limit There calculating longer distances. this works and, on very steep well how to especially down break the timings terrain, a start which is generally if you scrambling procedure. slower much 3) Distance on grid has a 1km map A 1:25000 square this using can be approximated Distance it. the using accurately more or measured compass. side of your scale on the roamer lines you of contour the number Also count twoThese help figures there. get to cross map using a digital If a duration. reach you using the distance measure can easily you Once functions of the app. creation route idea of the a rough keep to need you walking In poor visibility it covered. have you distance count only You is worth paces. counting your right) so '1 or your left (either your one foot 100m for The average = 2 actual paces. step' low from it can range but 64 steps, is around height your high 70s depending on 50s to and stride length. Line the map up with can see. you features 2) Direction and orientated, map is correctly If your point can simply visibility is good, then you the by indicated in the direction yourself a take navigation complex more For map. heading are you compass bearing of where it from checking compass, your and follow importantThis is especially time. time to or is vague the path where in terrain nonexistent. When planning navigation you should split should you navigation planning When short into walk these sections and plan your D's of navigation. the Five using separately a few from can be anything The sections longer Any 1km. around to metres hundred difficult it becomes increasingly than that and remember. to 1) Description get to to want you Describewhere clearly it on the map. recognise you sure and make get there. when you This helps identify it or a a lake, like feature This could be a clear a rise or in a ridge, like feature vague more sure Make a stream. a path crosses where agrees. in the team everyone The Five D's of Navigation D's Five The Navigation Snowdonia Hill Skills Snowdonia

you do when you are navigating. navigating. are do when you you Orientating the map should be the first thing Orientating should be the first the map The second method is to use a compass. use a compass. The second method is to lake or river you can orientate the map to? the map to? can orientate you or river lake a feature like a road, path, ridge, peak, a road, like a feature orientate it to things you can see - is there can see - is there things you it to orientate This can be done in two ways. The first is to is The first This can be done in two ways. be confusing until you orientate it correctly. it correctly. orientate be confusing until you representation of the 3D world, of the 3D which can representation right track and help avoid incidents. incidents. and help avoid right track A map is a two-dimensional graphical turn. Good navigation skills keep us on the skills keep Good navigation turn. with the map. on the ground Maps and Orientation send a group or individual down a wrong a wrong or individual down send a group position your following lost by getting avoid to caused by simple navigational errors that errors simple navigational caused by is about using simple strategies Navigation how frequently an accident in the hills is accident in the hills an frequently how is Navigation? What navigation skills are essential. It is surprising essential. skills are navigation without losing your way. In bad visibility, good In bad visibility, way. your without losing from the bottom of a mountain to the top the top to of a mountain the bottom from usually need good navigation skills to walk walk skills to navigation need good usually changeable and, even in good visibility, you you visibility, in good even and, changeable The weather in Snowdonia is highly is highly in Snowdonia The weather 32 32 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter 34 Snowdonia Hill Skills Navigation Navigation Snowdonia Hill Skills 35

Navigational Strategies Tick-off Features There are many navigation strategies and 1 Go up grassy slope to bluff - tick

Skills using the 5 D's could be considered one of 2 Follow broad grassy ridge - handrail 3 Reach steepening and pass on the right - tick them. However, there are a few more tricks 4 Go up ridge aiming for gully - handrail Skills and skills that will help you avoid getting lost. 5 Climb gully - tick Field of Re-entrant 6 Follow easy-angled ridge - handrail Level wet boulders ground - likely 7 Reach summit - tick Steep to be boggy Tick-off Features ridge Gully These are features you can identify on the Merged contours

Snowdon 7 map that you can tick off when you pass - cliff face 6 Spur them. Features can be anything from a Snowdon bend in the path, a wall, a stream, a bluff 5 or a footbridge. If you can identify it on the Close contours Gentle - steep slope Col/Bwlch map, you should be able to recognise it as ridge 4 Knoll or you pass. Even contours can be used, like Ring-contour Spaced contours

Glyders a steepening of the path or where the path - gentle slope Right-rising 3 diagonal goes diagonally across a hillside rather than path Glyders straight up it. The scrambles and walks in Straight up this book are marked with some tick-off or down Left-rising Areas path diagonal of points corresponding to the descriptions. 2 path Contouring trees path Carneddau Thumbing/Marking The Map Angle of Slope Re-Entrant It can be a good idea to mark off the features Being able to identify subtle changes in A re-entrant is a specific type of gully which

on the map as you pass them. This can be Carneddau 1 angle is a useful skill since this can be used is most commonly found on what would with a fingernail crease or a pencil marker. as an additional tick-off feature to help you otherwise be an open hillside. A watercourse identify your position on the map. Where that has run down the hillside for thousands Handrails contours are close together this means of years has slowly eroded a surprisingly Moelwyns Handrails are linear features which lead in that the ground is steep. Where they are far deep trench that will probably still have the direction you are aiming. A good path is apart it means that the ground is more level a stream in it. These can be surprisingly

the most obvious handrail feature but rivers, or gently sloping. Occasionally the terrain difficult to cross. Moelwyns valleys, gullies and ridges also work well. becomes so steep that the contours merge into one another. This indicates very steep Knoll or Ring-contour West Snowdonia Catchment/Overshoot Features terrain, or cliff faces, and the terrain may be These are small circular rings in the A catchment feature is something that Contour Features scrambling or rock climbing. contours, sometimes they are so small all will stop you overshooting the point you Understanding contours can help you easily you get is a single dot or spot height. They are aiming for. This could be a steep drop identify the shape of the terrain around you. Ridge signify a little knoll or hillock.

or a rocky bluff. An overshoot feature is This is the absolute essence of safe decision A ridge is a long narrow feature where the Snowdonia West something that indicates you have passed making in mountainous terrain without contours form a V or U shape. They can be Col/Bwlch South SnowdoniaSouth a key point. These features can be a wall, obvious paths. steep or flat, which you can also see from Cols (or bwlchs in Snowdonia) are very a prominent junction, a lake, a summit or the contours. A spur is a smaller version that important features for mountain walking. a simple change in angle. What it will do is Direction across a slope appears only on a few contours. They are dips between peaks or ridges and stop you walking any further. The simplest way to use contour lines is to can also be described as 'saddles' - like see what direction the path is taking across Gully a horse's saddle. They often provide level Attack Points the hillside. A gully appears as an inverted ridge. It will ground where ridges and slopes meet and South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter An attack point is an easy, obvious and Contouring paths are parallel to the contour have V or U shaped contours but the point as such are frequently found on walks with definitive point that you can aim for. Once lines. will be uphill rather than downhill. Often path junctions, at the base of ridges or there you can 'attack' a more complicated or Straight up or down paths are perpendicular gullies form the boundary of another feature. distinct points between two summits. vague position that is nearby. An example to the contour lines. Spurs are often defined by having a gully might be heading to below a huge cliff in Rising diagonal paths cut through contours on one or both sides. Usually gullies have

order to find the narrow gully to the side of it. at a diagonal angle. streams running down them. Winter Snowdonia 36 Snowdonia Hill Skills Navigation Navigation Snowdonia Hill Skills 37

Map to Land - This is a Distinct Land to Map simple technique where you Direction object or Occasionally we need to take a bearing from of bearing Skills measure your bearing off the feature to line the land to the map. This may be to check map using the compass as a Ignore north up on which protractor. In this example the pointer can be in line the path you are walking is heading in the Skills bearing is about 240 degrees. or slightly to right direction in poor visibility, or taking a one side Rotate quick bearing on a destination as visibility bezel to line is failing. To do this, take a bearing by lining red arrow up the north arrow on the bezel with the up with map Snowdon grid north arrow that points north, whilst pointing the compass the direction of travel. It is then Point A - you Map grid north is possible to line that bearing up on the map Snowdon top of map when using the grid lines. You can then identify Direction most text is the Point B - some distinct feature of travel right way up which direction you are heading on the map in your direction of travel to check it.

Glyders Compass and Bearings Step 6 - Check the bearing against what you Boxing Obstacles Relocation Taking a bearing is rarely needed in good observe and, if it lines up with Point B, you Glyders When following a bearing you can come The ability to relocate yourself on the map is visibility when the navigation techniques are ready to walk on the bearing. across an obstacle that blocks the direction one of the fundamental skills of navigation. previously described are adequate. However, you are heading in. If the obstacle is not This is one of the obvious advantages of it is useful when visibility is poor or you need Point in This is your digital mapping which uses GPS to display direction very big you can take a few side-steps,

Carneddau to double check your direction of travel with bearing if you perpendicular to the direction you are your location as a blue dot on the device more accuracy on uniform terrain. of travel have done Map to Land travelling, and continue along the bearing. screen. correctly Without using GPS, your first resort is to

If this is under 10 steps then it is often not Carneddau Map to Land necessary to side step back in the opposite work out roughly where you think you are. Taking a bearing from the map to the land is direction once you have passed the obstacle. This is easy if you have been thumbing the a simple technique and you can forget about North map, ticking off features or heading in a the bit of the compass that points north. The Moelwyns Boxing around an obstacle consistent direction at a consistent pace. Line up idea is that you measure the bearing off the is a good technique to keep red arrows If still unsure, identify features you can see map using the compass as a protractor. For your bearing where the and find them on the map in relation to

direction of travel is blocked. Moelwyns this you need a Type 4 compass with a long yourself - a wall, a stream, a lake or small base plate. hillock. If these are widely spread then you Step 1 - Drop down on one knee and use may need to use simple triangulation. Take West Snowdonia your other knee as a makeshift table. Walking on a Bearing a bearing on the distinct features and line Step 2 - Use the thin black line on the base Line the north pointer arrow up with the them up on the map. The point where these plate of the compass to connect Point A, red north on the bezel and, keeping the bearings intersect should be roughly close to where you are and Point B, where you want compass flat, you should be looking down your location. to go on the map. Snowdonia West the direction of travel arrow. In poor visibility, or blank terrain, you can use Step 3 - Turn the bezel so that the red a technique called 'mapping the land'. Look South SnowdoniaSouth Choose a distinct object 20m to 50m away. north arrow lines up with the north grid on This could be a rock, a tuft of grass, or N, S, E and W from your current location. the map. Make sure you line it up with the anything you can identify on the bearing. What should the contours be doing 10m, correct grid since it is easy to get this wrong. Once you have walked to it, stand close and If the obstacle is too large to side step then 20m and 50m in each direction? Once you North is at the top when the text is mostly repeat until you get to the destination. you need to box around it. To do this, take have 'mapped the land', compare it to the the right way up. It is tempting to choose something further a bearing at right angles to your direction map around your approximate location. Does South Snowdonia Step 4 - Re-check that you are still lined the land do what you predict? If it doesn't Snowdonia Winter away but this technique is far more accurate of travel. Before you worry about working up with point A and B and the black line as if done in short steps, especially over rough out the maths of plus or minus 90 degrees, then can you see likely spots nearby. in step 2. If not repeat steps 2 and 3 until and uniform terrain where there isn't a path. just line the compass pointer up with east or More often than not, this best guess cannot everything is in alignment. west rather than north and south. be confirmed until you move on to either a Step 5 - Now read the bearing off the bezel more defined location or, in the worst case lined up with your direction of travel. scenario, you may need to backtrack to your last known point. Winter Snowdonia 38 Snowdonia Hill Skills Wild Camping Mountain Weather Snowdonia Hill Skills 39

Wild Camping means exactly that - camping 3) Leave No Trace - The only sign you have Having a basic understanding of mountain In general you may need to use all of these in the wild. Placing a tent the other side of been there should be a slightly flattened weather will allow you to plan your trip and services to get the best weather forecast,

Skills a wall by the road is not 'wild'. Technically patch of grass. Check lnt .org stay safe when on the hill. along with looking out of the window to see if

any form of wild camping in Snowdonia is 4) High and Remote - Choose high and what is actually happening matches up. Skills illegal, but if you set up a camp in a remote remote camping spots. If you want to camp Mountain Weather Forecast spot in the early evening, and leave early the in a valley then go to a campsite. The first port of call is checking the mountain Wind Direction following morning leaving no traces, then this weather forecast. The two most specific for In general the wind direction is a reasonably is tolerated. Sanitation Snowdonia are the Met Office Snowdonia reliable indicator of what kind of weather you

Snowdon Be mindful of your impact on the hills. Weather forecast and the MWIS Snowdonia can expect. From the ocean (the west) is Wild Camping Etiquette Number Ones - Ensure you are 50m away forecast. wet, from the land (the east) is dry, from the Wild camping is an incredibly rewarding from water sources. Avoid focal points like metoffice .gov .uk - search 'Snowdonia' north is cold, and from the south is warm. Snowdon experience. Getting to watch the sunset or behind walls or boulders that may offer cover mwis .org .uk - 'Snowdonia National Park' sunrise from a high mountain camp is a true but often become open cesspits. These are updated daily so check before and Arctic Maritime delight. There are no hard and fast rules Number Twos - Wherever you are in the on the day. They give the weather expected Wet and cold Snow in winter

Glyders for wild camping except the general one of mountains, ensure you are 50m away from at different altitudes on the mountain being considerate to other hill goers. any water source. Dig a hole at least 6 including visibility, wind and precipitation. Polar Maritime Wet, cold and stormy 1) Arrive Late and Leave Early - Avoid inches deep (a trowel is a useful pice of kit). They are very reliable but they do cover the from Greenland Glyders leaving your tent up even if you want to If it is not tinder dry then you can burn your whole area and are sometimes thrown by spend two nights in the same spot. paper before burying everything. Put a small micro-climates. 2) No Open Fires - This can be dangerous rock on top of the site. If it is too dry then

Carneddau and breaks the next rule anyway. pack out your toilet paper in a ziplock bag. General Weather Forecasts Polar There are many useful weather apps, Returning Polar Continental although these tend to only give the weather Maritime Hot and dry Moist, mild in summer, Carneddau in the valleys. Using some simple techniques and unstable cold 'Beast you can extrapolate the weather to where bringing cloud from the East' and rain showers in winter you are.

Moelwyns 1) Double the wind speed for exposed tops and ridges. 2) Reduce the temperature by 0.5 to 1 degree for every 100m of ascent. Atlantic Maritime Tropical Continental Moelwyns Warm and moist air, Hot and dry in summer 3) You can also assume that it will be wetter cloud, rain and mild from north Africa

West Snowdonia higher up than for a valley forecast. So if the forecast has Llanberis at 15 degrees, a 20 mph wind and light rain, Local Micro-Climates assume that it will be nearer 5 degrees Anyone who spends a lot of time in with winds approaching 40 mph and more Snowdonia knows that there can often be persistent rain on the summit. far better weather just outside the main Snowdonia West

South SnowdoniaSouth bbc .co .uk/weather - search for the nearest mountain area. The mountains themselves town create a rain shadow usually to the east or xcweather .co .uk - good app version northeast of the wet weather coming in from yr .no - good app version the ocean. As the rain often drains from the clouds as it passes over the higher ground,

Rain Radars as it descends to the warm air on the coast South Snowdonia it simply runs out of moisture. Sometimes Snowdonia Winter The arrival of rain can be predicted by using the rainfall radar on an app. This is shows weather systems can pass over either the where rain is falling at any moment and you north or the south of the mountains and, can get it to animate past and future to see with good planning, you can usually find how quickly a rain front is approaching. somewhere that is at least sheltered from the Wild camping high on Y Garn to capture the amazing sunset worst of the wind or rain.

west over the edge of Snowdonia. Photo: Mike Hutton Winter Snowdonia

Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns Snowdonia West Snowdonia South Winter Snowdonia 41 41 Snowdonia Hill Skills Snowdonia Heat Stroke Heat in uncommon are heat waves Though an issue and this can still be Snowdonia, seriouscan be as when as hypothermia Plan ahead - with dehydration. combined in startsearly of the day miss the heat to in shade if you hat and rest a ascent, wear or isotonic water of litre Carry an extra can. salts. your replace drink to Mountain Weather Photo: Jez Brown Jez Photo: Winter White White Winter Out total can create cloud and hill fog Winter the hardest These are out conditions. white can lose perspective in as you navigate to over walk may and you of up and down conditions Blizzard edges or cornices. cliff progress out and make a white exacerbate In general dangerous. more and even slow if you this kind of weather it is best avoiding plenty of experience. have can until you Lightning although hazard Lightning is an obvious should be you with modern forecasting Also, trip accordingly. alerted your and alter not as are of Snowdonia the mountains in thunder storms as alpine areas to prone startAn early is usually of Europe. the rest caught in a getting avoid to the best way in late usually are since they thunderstorm up high and see are If you the afternoons. seconds every three for of lightning, a flash between and the boom of thunder the flash A away. the storm is one kilometre indicates long how bit of calculation can then indicate find shelter. to have you Mountain Weather Snowdonia Hill Skills Snowdonia

the bigger picture. locate yourself on the map before you lose you on the map before yourself locate fog approaching, take immediate action to action to immediate take approaching, fog you are in good visibility and see cloud or are you your compass and map navigation skills. If skills. and map navigation compass your are a different matter. Then you need to use need to Then you matter. a different are scrambles that follow less distinct features, less distinct features, follow that scrambles areas with poor or nonexistent paths, or paths, with poor or nonexistent areas distinct path, or a gully scramble, but open but scramble, distinct path, or a gully since you may still be able to follow a follow to still be able may since you scramble you are on becomes important are you scramble it is easy to get disorientated. The walk or The walk get disorientated. to it is easy less. Unless you are a very good navigator, a very good navigator, are Unless you less. conditions visibility can be down to 50m or conditions visibility to can be down especially on the summits. In these on the summits. especially Hill fog and low cloud are very common, cloud are and low Hill fog Fog and Cloud Fog hypothermia a real issue. a real hypothermia to attempt. When wet, windchill makes makes windchill wet, When attempt. to but strong winds make it a foolhardy route route it a foolhardy winds make strong but dangerous enough in the still conditions dangerous exposed ridge like Crib ridge Goch can be like exposed Wind is very significant in the hills. An is verythe hills. significant in Wind bad visibility. Wind speed up your trip to avoid getting stuck in in stuck getting avoid trip to speed up your these hazards. is about avoiding walk spotting this early you can drop down or down can drop you this early spotting your it for and interpreting a forecast Getting that reaches the higher ground first. By first. the higher ground that reaches serious consequences. these can have almost always followed by lower cloud and lower by followed almost always and hazards can bringThe weather many a deluge arrives. High cloud rolling in is High cloud rolling a deluge arrives. Hazards Weather or just get your waterproofs on before on before waterproofs or just get your can give you time to find a bit of shelter of shelter find a bit time to you can give variations. Spotting an isolated rain shower shower rain an isolated Spotting variations. General weather forecasts may miss local may forecasts weather General coming to you from. from. you coming to since this is where the weather will be the weather is where since this eye in the direction of the prevailing wind of the prevailing direction in the eye A good rule once you are out is to keep an keep out is to are A good rule once you Keeping a Weather Eye Weather a Keeping 40 40 Skills Snowdon Glyders Carneddau Moelwyns West Snowdonia South Snowdonia Snowdonia Winter