The first backpack of 2010: a winter return to a familiar circuit of hills from Dolwyddelan, ascending Moel Siabod via the splendid steep rocky ridge of Daear Ddu and following the arc of hills around to Allt-fawr, then returning on the south side via Moel Penamnen and the fine viewpoint of Y Ro Wen.
This time I planned the route as a 3-day trip to allow for short daylight hours and unpredictable winter conditions on the ground, not to mention a drop in fitness after a layoff of several weeks. It would also allow more time to potter around the beautiful frozen lakes of Ysgafell Wen, unfortunately the second day turned out grey and misty giving only dull, almost monochromatic shots of lacklustre ice. The superlative conditions and views on the other days more than compensated and I had two excellent tent pitches.
Most of the extensive snow of the winter had retreated leaving caps on the highest summits, but the forecast predicted very cold icy conditions and a fresh northerly wind. Crampons would grudgingly be stowed in my pack: I took my Kahtoola flexies and prayed I wouldn’t need them, at least they are compact and lightweight as crampons go, and a nylon stuffsack is sufficient to protect other pack contents from their aluminium teeth. Once again I didn’t use them.
13 Comments
Excellent trip report and pictures as usual Geoff. Great to see you out and about again. I have to say your Laser comp pitching puts me to shame, i can never seem to get mine to look like yours, Just got back from an overnighter around Ennerdale and i definately did need my Micro spikes
Hello Geoff
Another good trip report. Was it cold at night? No mention of your foot - is it feeling better now?
Hi Geoff
Another good trip and what a start to the New Year for you eh? You got some right cracking shots in there. I adore the one of your LC and Snowdon as the backdrop. Hows the foot? For the past year I’ve been suffering from plantar fasciitis. It’s only been in the last 3 months that sypmtoms have completly subsided. I perservered with my backpacking but used an expensive pair of those insoles. Seems to have done the trick.
Karl,
Thanks very much, it seems like ages since I was out. The LaserComp always looks nice and taut on the leeward side, but with all that unsupported material, the windward side is bound to sag under anything more than a gentle breeze. Also I usually wait for a lull in the wind to press the camera shutter!.
Phil,
It was below freezing overnight, just enough to create a thin frosting on the tent. The foot is definitely improving if only slowly, certainly very noticeably better than the last trip in December.
Terry,
Thanks again, that pitch on Carnedd y Cribau was definitely one to remember.
My old rigid custom orthotics no longer fit, I might have a new pair made on campus at Salford University where I’m currently receiving some treatment.
You still got problems then? I have read some people suffer for a few months, to years.
Aye, that pitch on Carnedd y Cribau is a good one. You got a real money shot with that pic. I can imagine how good that must have felt pitched there with that view. Briliant! And a good route too! I was thinking of the exact same route myself a while back but doing it clockwise.
Great stuff, love the photos. Seeing the ice flowers and the sun going down behind the hills really makes me want to go hiking in the mountains!
Terry - it’s improving, but recovery times vary a great deal, often a year or more it seems.
Hendrick - Thank you, I feel like going hiking all the time!.
A great trip report and some cracking photos as usual. One of my favourite areas of Wales, so many nooks and cranies to explore. Not a place to be when the mist comes down though! Fingers crossed that weather is good this weekend, if so may head that way or Elan area. Can’t decide?
Well, Geoff….I know everyone recovers at different speeds but if it’s any consolation? I’ve been suffering for literally 1 year. It was weird….you get used to it, alter route distances and you hobble about a bit in the night or morning at home…then one day? It was gone! Just came out the blue. I found wearing trainers helped alot, too by the way as opposed to my normal office shoes. So, chin up! Don’t let it get you down.
James,
Thanks again, an excellent part of Wales to explore at leisure and especially to wild camp.
There might be a bit of snow visible in the Snowdonia area according to reports, it was falling today I hear, not sure about Elan.
Terry,
I hope it does disappear that suddenly, in the meantime I can cope with this low level of discomfort.
Superb photos and if that does not inspire day walkers to go backpacking - I don’t know what would. That is a cracking route for summer over two days.
Martin,
Thanks again. It’s one of our classic circuits, very few people for most of the route and deserted for some of it. I did this in 2007 as a 2-dayer, excellent.