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18:55:36, 23/01/19
A friend has recently purchased a pair of new Scarpa 4 Season boots, in Betws Y Coed, and he persuaded me to think of a decent jaunt, to take advantage of the recent snow.
How about Cwm Eigiau ?, Where's that he asked ? Its pretty special and should be pretty quiet.
Quiet it certainly was, and had it not been for his Audi All Road model Avant, we would never had made the famous carpark.
Those of you who know the narrow Tal Y Bont road, realise how steep and narrow it is, and just past the farm at the top, the road ahead disappeared under thick snow, impossible for any two wheeled vehicle to navigate, it was icey in parts as well, a real skaterink for a two wheeled drive car.
It was not cold, at around 6C, but its been many many years since ive ventured out in such heavy snow.
We only managed around 7miles, as we had intended to make for Foel Grach and the Central Carneddau ridge, but it was very slow going, with the drifts several feet deep in certain parts, and wading through thick snow, is so tiring.
Some lovely sunshine, not that cold, as there was hardly any wind, but it was very slow going.
Time was an issue, so after around a three hour walk, that in summer takes under an hour, we headed back to the car.
My Buffalo Super 6 shirt served me well, as did a seldom used pair of winter boots, but the last time i was out in such deep snow, was well over thirty years ago, in the Beacons.
I was a lot younger and fitter then, but marching through heavy snow is energy sapping, and a walk that in summer, is a straight forward outing.
Anyway, his boots had a great baptism, and proved magnificent, even though it was impossible to avoid getting the snow inside your boots, due to the depth of the white stuff.
Gaiters would have helped a bit, but most of the snow was knee deep.
It brought back great memories of when i regularly went out in such conditions, but i am desperately tired from the walk.
Only saw two people, and they had arrived in their Land Rover, so the snow was certainly heavy.
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20:12:11, 23/01/19
Crikey, I didn't think the snowfall had been nearly that heavy.
We only managed around 7miles, as we had intended to make for Foel Grach and the Central Carneddau ridge, but it was very slow going, with the drifts several feet deep in certain parts, and wading through thick snow, is so tiring.
Incredibly tiring. Years ago we set off up Aran Benllyn in deep snow and never made it to the top, we covered 3 miles and gave up, pitched the tent and called it a day, descending the next morning.
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20:21:18, 23/01/19
Its a great workout for the legs. but when its impossible to find an easier alternative route, you have just got to soldier on , and see how far you can go, in the available time.
Last year, i managed to reach the lower ridge from the car park, in just under the hour, its an easy approach to the higher Cardeddau, in good weather.
Nearly three hours for nearly the same distance, and feeling like i had walked all day.
Walking in heavy snow, wading in knee deep stuff, is very tiring work, much prefer the summer months, you can then walk until your legs drop off.
The views this afternoon were pretty good, heavy snow or rain clouds bucketing it down miles away, but little windchill and fairly mild conditions.
See you later in the year.
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07:44:06, 24/01/19
I have a soft spot for the Eastern Carneddau, particularly Llyn Cowlyd and Cwm Eigiau - my usual stomping grounds when I lived in Trefriw. Rarely saw anyone up there.
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08:50:59, 24/01/19
Of you tap or click on each photo it should show a clearer image
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10:19:57, 24/01/19
A special place, I've stayed on the Rugby mountaineering club cottage half way up the valley many times. It's really nice in a good winter.
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13:11:18, 24/01/19
Thanks for posting your pics, Owen.
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14:15:51, 24/01/19
Thanks for posting your pics, Owen.
Actually they are mine Richard
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15:00:11, 24/01/19
Actually they are mine Richard
Apologies, Phil!
Note to self - pay attention!
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15:33:57, 24/01/19
Apologies, Phil!
Note to self - pay attention!
Lol no probs I’m just pulling your leg
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16:10:34, 24/01/19
Thanks for posting them anyway, phil. Brings back memories.
I was on my own one Christmas in Trefriw so headed into the hills - had my Christmas dinner cooked on a meths stove in the shelter of one of the quarry buildings!
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16:26:56, 24/01/19
It’s a lovely area and no doubt, we had our sandwiches in the Dulyn bothy out of the rain, but really need to get back there in March when we’re staying in Beddgelert again
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21:06:25, 08/05/19
Fully agree on the beauty and solitude of Cwm Eigiau. I was fortunate to wildcamp up there last summer with a walking buddy and because I went on about it so much my SO wanted to see what all the fuss was about. So up there we went.
Bitter cold wind yet glorious sunshine views across Glyders and beyond
The boggy walk up Gledrffordd was sapping but the views kept rewarding us before reaching Foel Grach. Saw 3 people all day and the MRT helicopter over a snow dusted Llewelyn. Awesome area that didn't disappoint again. Thoroughly recommended.
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07:55:59, 09/05/19
Lovely photos, especially the first looking up the cwm.
The northern slopes of Pen yr Helgi Du have suffered a massive landslide at some time in the distant past, according to the geological map.