Area: Glyderau/Carneddau, Eryri
An unusual double-header. EE had been enthused by her Lakes trip and wanted more mountain action, but I also had a long run planned. This offered the perfect compromise, starting opposite Glan Dena while Eve watched a comedy. I ran up the steps alongside Tryfan Bach to gain Cwm Tryfan. This gives a nice gentle climb until the steep headwall, always bringing back memories for me of the old 1000m peaks route. It's not much more than half an hour to Caseg Fraith, after which the route opens out to the familiar grassy whalebacks of this end of the Glyderau. Wet underfoot after all the rain but bright and breezy for the climb up Y Foel Goch with its superb views back to Tryfan. An excellent descent led to Bwlch Goleuni (I had intended to descend to Capel but was running out of time). A tussocky descent led to the old 'road' through Nant y Benglog then back to meet Eve via Gwern Gof Isaf. A quick drink and then we set off for the walking part of the day, up the familiar east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen, a new mountain for EE and considerably more challenging than Helm Crag! She struggled a little on the long haul to Cwm Lloer but then perked up (as the sun came out) for the 'bad step' and upper ridge. We had a quick picnic on top, curtailed by flying ants, as mist dropped over the highest peaks. I then suggested descending direct to Ogwen Cottage - not the best decision perhaps, but she didn't complain. It isn't a great descent (or ascent) but it is very direct and does give nice views. Probably only the 3rd or 4th time I have ever descended direct to the Cottage. This might explain why I took some bad lines, and we were both thirsty (a very humid day) but eventually we got to the road where I ran back to Glan Dena for the car.
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