Walking Forum
Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: leahpardo on 15:38:33, 04/03/18
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My friend wants to climb Cnicht tomorrow but not sure if Weather is suitable and how difficult it is? I am a total beginner, I did climb Snowdon last year but that was hard!
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Okay, my gut instinct on reading ...
....I am a total beginner, I did climb Snowdon last year but that was hard!..
is ... don't do it.
How's your navigation skills with a map/compass? Are you kitted out for winter conditions? Can you, if needed, use crampons/ice axe?
Snowdon has clear "motorways" of paths running up it to the summit and may still require winter kit at this time of year.
Save it for better weather.
Aye, that's my advice based on my gut instinct, sorry.
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Thank you - it's not Snowdon we are climbing up but Cnicht :) Do you think even now the weather isn't looking so good?
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I don't know where you're travelling from, but I assume you're starting from Croesor? Getting there could be your biggest problem unless the roads have cleared dramatically.
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The Met Office forecast for the summit of Cnicht tomorrow is:
cloudy and drizzly...
temp around 0 degrees, with a windchill making it feel like -6...
winds averaging 20mph, gusting to 25mph.
Personally, given your experience, I'd leave it for another day.
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I know you was meaning Cnicht. I was using Snowdon as your "familiar" reference.
If you have the navigation skills, winter kit and experience then go for it. I assumed by you saying you are a total beginner and found Snowdon hard that you don't. The paths on Cnicht aren't like Snowdon's.
The weather? This is Britain in winter. The weather changes in a heartbeat. The valleys may be clear of snow/ice but that doesn't mean the summits will be too. This is not the time of year to be getting stuck in a whiteout on a mountain, a mountain that has less footfall than Snowdon. Thick fog in warm weather is bad enough. Would you be able to find your way down if you can't see 10 feet in front of you? If the snow has blown over your tracks so you can't follow them back?
As an aside, you've reminded me Cnicht is on my wish list to do. But not in winter!
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I don't know where you're travelling from, but I assume you're starting from Croesor? Getting there could be your biggest problem unless the roads have cleared dramatically.
Forecast is for fog and mist, visibilty poor or very poor. Assuming your route is the clockwise circuit from Croesor the area north of the peak can be very confusing in poor visibility (been there, done it, wasn't fun), are your navigation skills up to it bearing in mind in places there are areas with no obvious paths to follow? Also the approach to the peak has a bit of a drop off to the right. I don't know if there is still snow but if there was I wouldn't go without spikes and an axe and a mate. In short if it was me - I wouldn't as it would be fairly pointless. Save it for a nice day so you can appreciate the scenery.
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Today looks a lot better!
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Ive just returned from Pwllheli this morning, and even though the weather is milder, Snowdon, the Glyders, and the Carneddau, are still heavy with snow.
The snow is melting slightly below the summit plateau of Yr Elen, but i recon the depth of snow above the 2500-3000ft contour must be considerable.
If anyone is contemplating a winter traverse of the peaks, do it ASAP, as the mountains look amazing in their snow capped tops, but the thaw is definitely on.
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Dear DA, I’m in Snowdonia the weekend after next, so if you could arrange for the thaw to wait until then that would be very much appreciated ;)
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I was talking to a granite worktop supplier in Pwllheli, and he lives just a few miles outside the town.
Last week, he had nearly eight foot snowdrifts near his remote home, and looking back towards the Moelwyns and the Nantlle valley on my journey home, the mountains were heavy with snow, but the thaw is not happening that quickly on the main summits.
Considering Pwllheli had nearly a foot of snow this time last week, its now all melted.
From Penmaenmawr, all the way to Snowdon, the mountains above 2500ft and higher, have very deep snow on them, so come fully prepared for a winter traverse.
If you want a bit of advice on a route, have a go at the Carneddau from either Cwm Eigiau or possibly Ogwen.
Walking conditions today, would have been incredible, barely a cloud in the sky, and 8-10C and a lite breeze.
Whatever route you take, there is still considerable snow cover on high ground, and its not melting rapidly.
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I’ve done both of those (although not in snow). I’ve got a couple of routes in mind, one in the Rhinogydd where I have only walked once and one in the Moelwyns where I’ve walked several times, but a little snow would be nice, either way we are staying near Capel Curig as opposed to our usual Beddgelert so it’s sticky toffee pudding of an evening in the Tyn y Coed.
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Worth checking https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcmjs81pz#?date=2018-03-08
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If your coming to the Rhinogs, then the best route i can suggest, is to do a round of the southern Rhinogs.
Approach Diffwys, from the Bwlch Y Rhiwgyr direction, or even better contact me a few day's before your arrival, and i will guide you around.
What we will have to find out, is how we can safely exchange contact details.
Living in Dyffryn, a mobile phone is almost useless, so i do not own one, so if the forum moderator can give us permission to exchange contact details, i will promise to meet you at an agree time.
Once i have made arrangements, i keep to my word, and its far better to do the Rhinogs in the company of someone who has done them a few times.
Once you know exactly when you will be arriving in the Dyffryn area, we will arrange to meet.
Or even better, tell me the make and model of your car, and give me some idea when you will be in the Dyffryn Ardudwy area.
A good meeting location would be outside Foxes post office and general store.
Not knowing the area, it would be tricky for you to find the best parking place and route.
I know exactly where to go, and as ive not had the company of a fellow South Walian walker for ages, it would be a pleasure to show you around
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... so it’s sticky toffee pudding of an evening in the Tyn y Coed.
Salivating now Phil O0
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Now, its what's called helping out another fellow walker, who is a stranger to the beauty of the Rhinogs, especially so early in the season.
I used to walk the Brecon Beacons for many years, and plan to revisit them sometime this year, but if i was venturing North in search of pastures new, i would gladly accept a guided tour in a strange environment.
I would sincerely hope most forum members would offer similar assistance, but we are all different, some go out of their way to help, whilst other's are a bit more hesitant.
Ive never walked the Cumbrian fells, so would jump at the chance of a guided tour from another forum member who would keep their appointment, no matter what.
He can accept my offer or decide to go it alone, but either way, the offer is there, and i can recommend one heck of a great tea room for a spot of nosh, before or after.
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Salivating now Phil O0
I’ll keep you a piece Jon ;D
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Thank you DA I may take you up on that, but it will be myself, my better half and Twm the collie. I have walked the Roman steps, Bwlch Tyddiad area before as more of a recce really when staying in Brithdir near Dolgellau. The route I was thinking of takes in Clip then into the badlands, only around 6 miles but you know what the Rhinogs are like.
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Thank you DA I may take you up on that, but it will be myself, my better half and Twm the collie. I have walked the Roman steps, Bwlch Tyddiad area before as more of a recce really when staying in Brithdir near Dolgellau. The route I was thinking of takes in Clip then into the badlands, only around 6 miles but you know what the Rhinogs are like.
count me in too! maybe we could have an impromtu Rhinogs meet soon?
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Looks like the snow has returned with a vengeance 😮
https://ogwen-rescue.org.uk/webcams/
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Hi, I supervise DofE gold teams on the Rhinogs each year, twice this year. We avoid the FP through Clip due to the bottomless bogs on the NE side. Just sayin!
Great area to explore. Wherever you go make sure that your boots are waterproof as the bogs on the Rhinogs will find you out. :) O0
Robin
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Hi, I supervise DofE gold teams on the Rhinogs each year, twice this year. We avoid the FP through Clip due to the bottomless bogs on the NE side. Just sayin!
Great area to explore. Wherever you go make sure that your boots are waterproof as the bogs on the Rhinogs will find you out. :) O0
Robin
Good info and thanks, never been bothered by bogs though, try parts of mid Wales for bog trotting ::)
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count me in too! maybe we could have an impromtu Rhinogs meet soon?
Just hoping for half decent weather Glyn and we’re there from 16th - 19th