Just another summer walk – Sunday 21 August

Keeping up the female dominance of recent months, nine women and just three men joined me for Sunday’s walk from Snowdon Ranger. With the cloud level down to around 200 metres we were soon in the mist, and welcomed the shelter of the little quarry working at Bwlch Cwm Brwynog for a coffee stop. Then it was over the bwlch to follow the feint path leading to the rocks below Llyn Du’r Arddu. No speed walking today, full care needed to negotiate a route up through the rocks, with the roar of the Afon Arddu in our ears and not much to be seen just a few feet away. But at the llyn the mist cleared a little, and from above the old copper mine workings we briefly had a letter box view of blue sky and sunshine on the slopes of Mynydd Mawr.

We then left the solitude behind, climbing to join the Llanberis track and the crowds heading up and down Snowdon below Clogwyn Station. Windows in the mist gave us good views here, but that soon changed as above the station we left people and path behind, heading for Gyrn Las and the Cwm Glas skyline walk up to Garnedd Ugain, the highpoint of the day at 1065 metres. A steep climb, for a while in a gale force wind, and again just mist to be seen from the collapsing trig point on the summit. Walking the route in good weather two weeks ago this part of the Snowdon Horseshoe was busy, but not today!

With rain now falling it was time to head for the Snowdon Ranger path and a direct route back. No chance today of returning via Llechog and Cwm Clogwyn – something to be saved for a proper summer’s day. Eventually, near to Llyn Cwellyn, we dropped out of the mist and relaxed on the grassy path, glad to be heading for Kath’s tea and scones and a cosy half hour squeezed into our sitting room. Despite, or because of, the weather and lack of views (the cliffs of Clogwyn du’r Addu? Where were they?), it seemed to have been a memorable day for all, so thanks for the company.

Dave