Page 36 - 2021 AMA Summer

MISCARTICLE
Carnedd Dafydd after Crib Lem
Crib Goch
Looking south into Snowdonia from Bristly Ridge
The massive dump of snow in the mountains during January had seen plenty of people out ski touring and travel without skis being a tortuous affair along with a new period of exercise from home lockdown meant that I had been mostly in the Carneddau. However the snow conditions weren’t great for climbing but it was sufficient to get me thinking about a winter equivalent of the Welsh 3000s. However, I didn’t want a repeat of November’s adventure. The Crib Lem (II) provides a lovely way onto Carnedd Dafydd and is one of my go to from home days.
This got me thinking to what I could link it with. The style would be single axe and travelling light so the plan formed for an enchainment of Crib Lem (I/II**), North Ridge of Tryfan (II***), Bristly Ridge (II***), East Ridge (I*), Crib Goch to Crib y Drysgl Traverse (I***) and Central Trinity (I/II***)
Moel Siabod from Bristly Ridge
finishing on the summit of Snowdon. I decided I couldn’t face the long walk home so I planned to take some prior exercise and pre place my bicycle in Nant Peris so I could cycle home back via the Dinorwig slate quarries.
The early snow disappeared in a large thaw but the 1st of February provided a viable weather and condition window. Just enough snow to afford quick travel but still wintery enough for crampons on the technical terrain. I set off from home at 0200hrs and walked up the now very familiar Cwm Llafar towards the Crib Lem. I always enjoy a nighttime ascent. Feeling cocooned by torchlight with no other distractions apart from some lovely scrambling onto the summit of Carnedd Dafydd. I then cut straight down towards Cwm Lloer still in the winter darkness. The cloud got thicker and thicker with visibility cut down to a few metres. I was glad to
Yr Wyddfa
pick up some footprints which seemed to be going my way. Knowing the terrain well I knew I would soon hit the outflow of Ffynnon Lloer.
36 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER