STAYCATIONS

Welsh 3000's Part 1 Welsh 3000's Part 2 Cornwall Road Trip

THE WELSH 3000's

Part 1:

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In January 2022 I needed a break from it all and set about looking for a hike to clear my head (I find there is no better listener than nature). Despite 2 severe storms forecast I figured I had time to nip over to North Wales and hit several peaks between them. My chosen route was Elidir Fach, Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Mynydd Perfedd and Carnedd y Filiast.

It was a tough walk starting in the dark to avoid storms and have time for the long drive home after. The first climb was distinct and really put the burn into the calves. The ridge line of Elidir Fawr was in the clouds and the rocks I had to scramble over covered in ice / light snow. Nonetheless the summit was impressive and felt like an achievement. Walking on and down before the climb to Y Garn took a long time. I had expected not to see anything as I came up Y Garn, it cloaked in cloud and mist. However on my arrival the sky parted to give views of the snow-covered ridge with the sun rising behind it.

What a feeling to be so high, in such crisp weather and to also have the views. I stopped just long enough on the summit to have a snack, a drink and for the clouds to move back in as I started the descent towards my last summits (Mynydd Perfedd & Carnedd y Filiast) of the day. My hat and eyelashes frozen from the cold air. I made it back to the car just as the rain was moving in, not knowing that I'd just complete 2 of the 15 Welsh 3000's and that I'd have a driving urge to not only complete them all, but in winter as well.

THE WELSH 3000's

Part 2:

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Back again, still in winter, this time with an actual plan to hit several of the Welsh 3000's. Snow had been forecast and the conditions were unpredictable / questionable. I wasn't sure at any point if I'd get stuck or blocked and need to turn back. Had a heavy pack to make sure I was carrying enough supplies including a pole and the all-important crampons.

It turned out I didn't need these although there was quite a bit of snow about it wasn't too slippery in my Scarpa GTX boots and ice was limited. With Wind-chill down to -10°C it would be a cold hike and I was glad to have a proper jacket, hat, gloves and neck warmer.

The route was to hit the Glyders starting with Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and then a hopeful summit up the south face of Tryfan. This was a tough hike with lots of grade 1 scrambling, it was beautiful but testing. The climb up the Devil's kitchen from Llyn Idwal was sapping especially at a 6:45am start in the dark from the parking lot. I was really feeling the ascent in my lungs and it was changeling. I saw no one on the ascent as I looked back before the stile to the lake edge and car park. Passing the stile I disappeared deep into thick fog with visibility under 10 metres at points. That didn't stop me having great views back on the way up Glyder Fawr though in the brief moments the clouds passed. As I passed 950m

I began to hit snow and navigation became very hard with snow covered rocks and the cairns barely visible or distinguishable from one to the next. Reaching the summit the winds howled as I climbed up to the highest point and I was blown back down a level. I didn't stay long before moving onto Glyder Fach having to meticulously plan, check and adjust my route across the plateau to avoid getting lost. One reaching Glyder Fach I scrambled up the large rock pile to the actual summit. Another peak bagged :) From here I took the long descent over to Tryfan's south face. It being a daunting and opposing peak for my whole approach. Finding the best path up Tryfan was tough and required lots of scrambling. I almost stopped at the Southern Plateau, but found the energy to plow on to the true summit and my third and final Welsh 3000 of the day.

I've done tough hikes all over the world but this one was something else, my whole body ached and while I felt a huge sense of accomplishment I was happy to be done for the day.

CORNWALL ROAD TRIP

To be detailed............... Coming Soon.