Carneddau run

Peaks: Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewellyn, Yr Elen
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A great way to start the year, reviving the route of the defunct Carneddau race from Gerlan above Bethesda. By pure luck, conditions were superb with a good covering of snow and a cold northerly wind which blew most of the cloud over into Ogwen as we climbed up from Cwm Llafar. I did the old race in 2007 and 2011, but Jez and Hayley hadn't done this particular circuit before. The first steepening was tough with cold limbs in the early morning, but the Mynydd Du spur is soon reached with the usual cracking views over Llech Ddu and Ysgolion Duon. From here, surprisingly thick snow cover gave interesting route finding through the boulder fields to a spectacular summit view, with sunshine through the tendrils of mist wreathing Ogwen. The ridge across to Llewellyn is always magnificent in these kinds of semi-Alpine conditions: I would estimate at least 30 trips along it since the 1980s, possibly many more than that. The snow was perfect for running: not too soft, not too crusty. It allowed for very rapid progress and I got some great pictures on the crest of the ridge. The mist came down on Llewellyn, which was predictably bitter, and I took a brief bearing towards Yr Elen before we enjoyed the superb climax of the route. Wonderful views down into wild and remote Cwm Caseg and across the northern Carneddau: one of my favourite spots. I suggested not to bother with the traditional race climax (which indulges in some brutal arbitrary punishment by taking runners up Gyrn Wigau). Instead, we enjoyed the superb continuation of the horseshoe over Foel Gron, which remained snowy until we got to Cwm Llafar itself. A cold river crossing then quick running back to sunny Gerlan before lunchtime.