Winter is Coming in Snowdonia

Over the last few weeks in North Wales it has started to look and feel like winter is finally on its way, with the temperature regularly falling below zero and a thick layer of frost regularly coating my car windscreen.

 

Whilst most people hate the thought of winter, this change in seasoin always ties in with a sense of excitement between me and my friends that the hills and crags around Snowdonia will be soon coated in a thick layer of snow and ice, leaving perfect winter routes of all shapes and difficulty for us to have a go at.

Snowdonia looking wintery.
 

Walking up the grassy lower slopes

 

Last weekend Jo’s family come up to Wales for the first time and the with hills covered in there snowy coat, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to get out, show them around and do my first winter walk of the year. We chose Moel Siabod, with its isolation from surround hills making it a perfect ‘out and back’ type mountain. With the wind blowing from the West, we chose to approach the summit from the grade 1 North East ridge, making the most of being in the lee of the wind and the more technical ground providing some excitement closer the summit.

 

After leaving the car, we crossed the bridge over the Afon Lugwy, roaring after days of persistent Welsh rain and headed towards the grassy lower slopes of Siabod. After a couple of weeks away from the mountains it was great the lungs and breath in the cold, clean air. As we continued upwards the fast moving clouds above treated us to an amazing range of light conditions, with parts of the mountain popping in and out of shadow and the snow on top looking inviting.  

 

Heading up the lower slopes of Moel Siabod.

As with lots of places in Snowdonia, half way up Siabod you get delt a fantastic dose Welsh history as you walk through what was a success slate mine, producing roofing tiles for the surrounding area and further afield in the early 20^th Century. What is left of this mines provides an amazing insight in the effort all the labours went too to get this natural resource from the slopes of so many mountains down to the valley below.

 

As we worked our way towards the base of the North East ridge, the forecast cloud began to roll in and before we knew it we were in a thick fog and with snow beneath our feet. This is one thing I love about being in the mountains and experiencing how the environment that your in can change in a moment. Fortunately, we had prepared well as a group and we donned our coats, hats and gloves before continuing up the ridge.

The whole family scrambling towards the summit.

Once we got going we made swift progress up the scramble and as we approached the summit the Westerly wind really picked up and made it a big different to the temperature. There was just enough time for obligatory summit photo before hunkering down in the nearby cairn for a quick sandwich and flask of tea.

Classic summit photo at the trig point.

With the temperature so low we didn't hang around summit and quickly made our way towards the path running down the North West slopes of the mountain and the wood that surrounds Plas y Brenin. All that was left to do to round off a great day with the family was tuck into a cuppa and a scone in the PyB bar before heading home to rest our tired legs.