Paul and Kath James Sneak Past the Gendarmes on Sentries Ridge

Paul and Kath James sneak past the gendarmes on Sentries Ridge 50 The cliffs of Craig y Bera on the south flank of Mynydd Mawr Sentries Ridge 50 Mynydd Mawr Grade 2+ Area Nantlle Aspect South (420m) Approach 45 mins (546 540) A scramble that oozes atmosphere. It ascends one of the long shattered ridges that sweep down the southern flank of Mynydd Mawr; a small but attractive mountain that sits on its own, to the west of the main ranges. The ridge is narrow and exposed in places with a distinct air of seriousness, heightened by the loose and often tottering nature of its rock. The scrambling is not particularly difficult but does require a ‘switched on’ approach at all times. There is a certain charm to this scramble, which also applies to the lonely summit of Mynydd Mawr. Approach Sentries Ridge lies within Craig y Bera; the maze of ridges and shattered buttresses that cap the south flank of Mynydd Mawr. The crag is clearly visible from the stretch of B4418 road that runs between Rhyd-Ddu and Nantle. Take the A4085, Caernarfon to Beddgelert road, and park at the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel (565 551). From the hostel, walk south along the road for 1km, to the Planwydd campsite and farm (568 539). From the campsite gate, walk past the buildings then follow a footpath across the field on the left. Continue in the same direction through the woods until the edge of the plantation is reached. Alternatively, park at Rhyd Ddu. From just north of the Cwellyn Arms pub, walk up the B4418 road, signposted for Nantlle. After 100m, at the end of the houses, turn right onto a forestry track. Continue along the forestry track for 1km until an intersection with a waymarked footpath; the footpath that starts at the Planwydd Campsite. Then turn left and, as above, follow the footpath up to the edge of the plantation. 215 Kath James sniffs out the best route on the steep upper ribs of Sentries Ridge Caernarfon Craig Cwm Du Snowdon Ranger Station Llyn Cwellyn YHA W el sh H ig Mynydd A4085 h la n Mawr 698m d R a i Foel Rudd lw a y 573m Craig y Bera 50 Planwydd Nantlle B4418 Rhyd-Dhu Beddgelert 0 500m Y Garn 633m Mynydd Mawr Sentries Ridge At the edge of the plantation, turn right and follow the grassy path uphill, tracing the tree line (some recent felling at the time of writing this guide), until the highest group of trees on the hillside. Cross the stile over the fence that comes in from the left. From just beyond the stile, at the corner of the plantation, follow a faint path that heads left (southwest) and contours around the south side of the mountain. The path initially crosses steep grassy slopes before reaching two adjacent stiles, crossing over a fence and then a dilapidated wall. The path then continues across scree, passing beneath the cliffs of Craig y Bera. Description Start in the large recess situated to the right of the lowest buttress of Craig y Bera. The truncated foot of Sentries Ridge is situated in the centre of this recess and is flanked on either side by a wide scree-filled gully. The foot of the ridge consists of a vertical 5m high rock wall. Bypass this wall using the gully on either the left or right, then at the first opportunity scramble up to reach the heather-covered crest of the ridge. Pick your way up a scrappy slab to reach a ledge below the first significant steepening. Turn the steepening on the left and scramble up broken rocks to regain the crest. This is where the true character of the route reveals itself. Walk (or shuffle) along the now extremely narrow ridge to reach a gendarme. This is turned on the right, with an up close and intimate manoeuvre, to reach the sanctuary of a small notch. Rising up behind the notch is a large tower. Either swing around the tower on the right or bypass it more easily on the left. A short way beyond the tower is a spacious and comfortable bilberry-covered col. The way ahead involves a sequence of interlinking ribs and it is very much a ‘follow your nose’ affair. Rising up from the bilberry-covered col is a well- defined rocky rib. Scramble up the rib to reach a second col. Another, shorter rib then leads up to a rocky notch with an unusual tunnel. Behind the notch is an even steeper rib. Head directly up this to a further col. Continue up the remainder of the ridge, over rocky pinnacles, to reach the top of the crag. 217.

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