Carneddau run

Peaks: Pen Llithrig y Wrach
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A reprise of a longish run I did this time last year, with a few refinements to improve it. I dubbed it 'Pen Llithrig the hard way' last time, and it certainly makes the most of a small peak, starting out at sea level in Tal y Bont, then heading up the very steep road into Cwm Eigiau. This takes around 35 minutes of steady running, and was enlivened by superb autumn conditions - mist clearing the valley and spectacular leaf colour all around. The higher peaks were snow-covered and it remained pretty cold all day. The route levels off for the long run up Cwm Eigiau, which is always wonderful, one of my favourite places. I detoured to Llyn Eigiau, which was unusually still giving superb photo opportunities: like glass. Then it was back to the track, staying on it past a derelict farmhouse to the back of the cwm. Then comes the savage climb to Bwlch y Tri Marchog: 30 minutes of vertical bog, moss-hauling and fence pulling. As a recent Strava convert, I later discovered this was a segment, and the fastest known time (although only two records, not surprising as it is a ridiculous route). From the bwlch, the 'normal' climb up to the summit is easier and much more sensible. Wonderful views over Ogwen and Llewellyn in constantly changing cloud conditions: good snow cover higher up but just patches where I was. Then, it was down the ridge, familiar from all the Paddy reccies this year, cutting off too early for the shore of Llyn Cowlyd, another of my favourite spots. This is awkward but quite quick, and I pelted along the lakeside, to gain the pipe and the long run down to pick up the Pipe Dream climb through Dolgarrog woods back to Tal y Bont - 24k, 900m, in 2.44.