Moelwyn Paddy leg

Peaks: Moel Siabod, Clogwyn Bwlch y Maen, Carnedd Cribau, Cerrig Cochion, Moel Meirch, Ysgafell Wen, Moel Llyn Cwn, Moel Druman, Allt Fawr, Foel Ddu, Moel yr Hydd, Moelwyn Bach, Craigysgafn, Moelwyn Mawr, Cnicht
Area: Moelwynion, Eryri
The third time I have done this most obscure and arduous of Snowdonian traverses this summer: I have no great desire to do it again for a while! On this occasion, I was supporting a Paddy Buckley attempt for the first time. As Paddy was one of my targets for this year of multiple mountains, I had mixed emotions as this summer has felt like 'now or never' for me to have a proper go at it before I switch back to normal running next year. However, you have to properly commit, and it definitely didn't feel appropriate to join another attempt when they've done all the organisation and got a team together. Instead, I wanted to properly support Hayley and Rich's attempt, so set off with them from Capel Curig at 10.30am for what proved a really enjoyable outing. An hour before, the rain was coming down in torrential sheets, but it cleared completely on the way up Siabod, and we reached the summit in 50 minutes from Capel. A light shower as we ran down the superb gentle ridge to the next two peaks, before the boggy and awkward section that ultimately leads to Cerrig Cochion. The terrain remains awkward over the rocks of Moel Meirch and Ysgafell Wen - there is never much climbing, but locating the true summits is tricky, and it is always arduous underfoot. We had a team of five in total, with two other support runners, and we made a good team - perfectly paced, around 20 minutes up on a 24-hour schedule, and all good company. After Ysgafell Wen, the terrain eases to excellent running out to Allt Fawr and then down to the water sources above Blaenau. Superb views, they couldn't have had better weather at this point - cool but clear. In the panic of the morning, I had neglected to pack any food for myself, and this became a bit of a problem on a 6.5 hour leg - it wasn't as if I could ask anybody for a bite! Moelwyn Bach brought back nice memories of our 'coast to coast' with Cardigan Bay glistening and Porthmadog bathed in sunshine. And then it was along the familiar ridge over rocky Craigysgafn to Moelwyn Mawr: more wonderful views as the clouds melted away from the Carneddau far to the north. It is a long and complex haul from Moelwyn Mawr to Cnicht, weaving through quarry workings, lumpy terrain and hidden lakes. We met Steve and Hazel here, and their bananas and cake was most welcome - because the direct assault up Cnicht follows. I reccied this in April (nobody in their right mind would ever do Cnicht from this side) and stuck to the contouring route I discovered, which works well. A long descent, rocky at first down the scrambly Croesor race route (my left knee a tad painful after the Beacons race) and then a long bouldery track which leads to a minor road and, eventually, Nantmor. I cooked soup, then drove Hayley's car back to Capel as they continued over the Hebog leg. So, mixed emotions: perhaps the Fellsman and Porthmadog-Conwy 'coast to coast' may have to stand as the high water marks of the last two 'distance years'!