13/3/12 Ogwen Scrambling

The plan was to head to Lliwedd with Mark today, But he reported that at Pen y Pass it was a little wet. So after a quick change of plan we headed to Ogwen Valley, Which was also full of cloud and at the start had a bit of a damp feel about it, So we decided on a scrambling day and hoped that yesterdays weather would repeat. 

We set off soloing Ordinary Route on Idwal Slabs (Diff *), which included a minor delay due to me getting a boot stuck, we quickly proceeded, to the decent route. This is a little tricky and is often the cause for inexperienced  parties getting in to difficulties, We had a really good discussion on guiding clients off the top, it was great to pick Marks brain, and get my head into gear prior to my MIA training next week. We then headed up to Cwm Cneifon to scramble up the Cneifon Arête (Grade 3 ***), As we approched the top we started to exit the cloud into yet another awesome cloud inversion 

 Mark on the Cneifon Arête

 Yet another Broken Spectre, Been really lucky the last 2 days.

Tryfan

After this we traversed around to the Main Cliff on Glyder Fach, with Dolmen Ridge (Grade 3 ***) the objective. The Dolmen Buttress is home to some great rock climbing but is a little steep in scrambling terms, So for Dolmen Ridge a devious line starts from the right side of central gully. Crossing higher up on the ridge in spectacular style, giving great another great Alpine feel route. With the rest of the Ogwen Valley bellow covered in a carpet of cloud.

 Mark admiring the view part way up the Dolmen Ridge

Top of the ridge with a sea of cloud bellow.

After a quick desent down by Bristly Ridge, we returned to Main Cliff for one more scramble. Another 3 star classic in Chasm Route, which has some great rock climbing pitches with some good exposure before taking you on a subterranean adventure, A fitting end to another great day.