On 19th March 2018, the first of three days break in Snowdonia, I chose to confine my efforts to an afternoon walk as this was the day with relatively high winds and particularly in the morning. I parked up at Capel Curig and walked along the A5 before heading East towards Moel Siabod.
Temperatures were sitting fairly low and there was a skittering of snow from valley level up
One of the residents of Capel Curig had a cracking snowman in the garden!
Progressing towards the objective, Moel Siabod
After ascending gradually through the reeds the path winds its way through quarry workings.
There was the right amount of snow to make everything look incredible without having the depth to impede walking. Just a little ice which could be easily avoided. There was a fresh to strong headwind giving significant windchill on this already cold day so I was kept wrapped up all the way!
an abandoned quarry
After passing the quarries the path descends over a shoulder and skirts around Llyn y Foel, crossing some relatively boggy ground before meeting the foot of the Daear Ddu Ridge (or Die Hard Three Ridge for those of us who can't take life seriously) * In Welsh, Ddu is pronounced along the lines of the English 'thee'.
Llyn y Foel
looking up the ridge
The Daear Ddu ridge itself is a lovely grade 1 scramble or grade I/II winter climb. Sadly despite the scattering of snow it was not in any sort of proper winter condition, with hardly any ice even at the very top. The ridge is on a more Southerly aspect so I guess it gets wintery less often. At least I didn't have to kit up with crampons...
The scrambling is excellent and in the most part there is plenty of choice. I would love to have kept to the very crest of the ridge which looked pretty thrilling in places, but the wind was strong and gusts were putting me off balance here and there so I kept to safety on the perhaps easier scrambling routes to the left of the ridge.
There are literally no false summits on this thing, I was surprised to find myself topping off and arriving more or less at the summit! I took shelter, had my sandwich, and took in the magnificent views. Moel Siabod is an isolated peak quite central in Snowdonia, and it affords magnificent views 360 degrees around. If you want to spend half a day climbing a mountain for a decent view then this is certainly a prime one to head for.
the wind was bitter
On departing the summit I struggled a little at first to find the path down but sighted it soon enough. The path straight back to Capel Curig was steadily inclined and made for swift progress.
the path descends into a picturesque valley
Eventually, the path leads into a plantation/woods, and on to the bridge at Plas y Brenin, where there were several professional looking photographers snapping the sunset over Llynnau Mymbyr. On my arrival, they looked at me with as if they suspected I might jump into the lake to photo-bomb their shots then drag them in with me. I paused to take my own snap and passed behind them in as unobtrusive a manner as possible.
the kayak slalom gates at Plas y Brenin
Llynnau Mymbyr
The National Mountain Centre
looking back from Capel Curig towards Plas y Brenin
I removed my boots and headed for my Hostel in the Ogwen Valley. Day one was a success by all accounts, but I must return on a less windy day for an opportunity to follow the crest of the ridge, as it looks quite exhilarating!
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