Rhyd Ddu

Weekend 4th and 5th February 2006

CUHWC trip to Snowdonia, where I was in the scrambling group both days: Eastern Terrace of Clogwyn Du 'r Arddu on Saturday, and Sentries' Ridge on Mynydd Mawr on Sunday.

We left the railway as it snakes off towards the coast

We left the railway as it snakes off towards the coast

Saturday 9:12 AM

Quarry spoil and Y Garn

Quarry spoil and Y Garn

Saturday 9:36 AM

Mynydd Mawr across Llyn Cwellyn, including a profile of tomorrow's scramble on Craig y Bera

Mynydd Mawr across Llyn Cwellyn, including a profile of tomorrow's scramble on Craig y Bera

Saturday 9:52 AM

The head of Llyn Cwellyn with Dyffryn Nantlle behind

The head of Llyn Cwellyn with Dyffryn Nantlle behind

Saturday 10:23 AM

Valley mist behind Mynydd Mawr, seen from Moel Cynghorion

Valley mist behind Mynydd Mawr, seen from Moel Cynghorion

Saturday 12:02 PM

Looking ahead to Clogwyn Du 'r Arddu, replete with ice patches

Looking ahead to Clogwyn Du 'r Arddu, replete with ice patches

Saturday 12:16 PM

Another view towards Dyffryn Nantlle, this time with foreground interest

Another view towards Dyffryn Nantlle, this time with foreground interest

Saturday 12:38 PM

Glacial erratics on the hillside

Glacial erratics on the hillside

Saturday 1:02 PM

Clogwyn Du 'r Arddu

Clogwyn Du 'r Arddu

Saturday 1:30 PM

Neil and Richard ready to scramble

Neil and Richard ready to scramble

Saturday 1:45 PM

Will and Sam at the main obstacle - an ice sheet covering the essential holds

Will and Sam at the main obstacle - an ice sheet covering the essential holds

Saturday 2:23 PM

Sam and Will get the rucksacks up the awkward ice

Sam and Will get the rucksacks up the awkward ice

Saturday 2:26 PM

Richard at the crux

Richard at the crux

Saturday 2:39 PM

View out from the scramble - quite airy!

View out from the scramble - quite airy!

Saturday 2:40 PM

Meanwhile, Richard has reached Will's helping hand

Meanwhile, Richard has reached Will's helping hand

Saturday 2:41 PM

... and Neil passes the obstacle

... and Neil passes the obstacle

Saturday 2:42 PM

View from the top of Cloggy with the railway behind, and Elidir Fawr behind that

View from the top of Cloggy with the railway behind, and Elidir Fawr behind that

Saturday 2:48 PM

Dave scrambles easily up the higher part of Eastern Terrace

Dave scrambles easily up the higher part of Eastern Terrace

Saturday 2:54 PM

Rails into the mist

Rails into the mist

Saturday 3:30 PM

A wisp of cloud slips up Llechog as we descend

A wisp of cloud slips up Llechog as we descend

Saturday 4:33 PM

Moel Hebog wreathed in cloud at sunset

Moel Hebog wreathed in cloud at sunset

Saturday 4:40 PM

Sunday began with an ascent of Clogwyn y Garreg, here reflected in the icy surface of Llyn y Dywarchen

Sunday began with an ascent of Clogwyn y Garreg, here reflected in the icy surface of Llyn y Dywarchen

Sunday 10:37 AM

Dywarchen dam and a boathouse

Dywarchen dam and a boathouse

Sunday 10:38 AM

Llyn Dywarchen from a higher vantage

Llyn Dywarchen from a higher vantage

Sunday 10:48 AM

Clogwyn y Bera, where we planned to climb Sentries' Ridge

Clogwyn y Bera, where we planned to climb Sentries' Ridge

Sunday 10:58 AM

A ruined mine building and Drws-y-coed

A ruined mine building and Drws-y-coed

Sunday 11:17 AM

Sentries' Ridge looms above us

Sentries' Ridge looms above us

Sunday 12:28 PM

A dramatic view down - too dramatic, perhaps

A dramatic view down - too dramatic, perhaps

Sunday 12:33 PM

Richard scrambling

Richard scrambling

Sunday 12:51 PM

From this pulpit, Will reads the sermon from the Book of Ashton

From this pulpit, Will reads the sermon from the Book of Ashton

Sunday 1:14 PM

The last bit of scrambling stretches to the sky

The last bit of scrambling stretches to the sky

Sunday 1:16 PM

Sam reaches for a hold...

Sam reaches for a hold...

Sunday 1:18 PM

...and swings up

...and swings up

Sunday 1:19 PM

Andrew scrambling

Andrew scrambling

Sunday 1:26 PM

Andrew and Sam surmount the final pinnacle

Andrew and Sam surmount the final pinnacle

Sunday 1:28 PM

Will feels the breeze at the top of the scramble

Will feels the breeze at the top of the scramble

Sunday 1:59 PM