| Y Llethr and Diffwys Mountain/Rock |
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| Y Llethr and Diffwys   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Snowdonia, Wales, Europe Lat/Lon: 52.81532°N / 3.98435°W County: Wales Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Ice Climbing, Mixed Elevation: 2480 ft / 756 m | Page By: Nanuls Created/Edited: Apr 26, 2007 / Dec 11, 2008 Object ID: 288554 Hits: 1411 Loading... Page Score: 89.47% - 20 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
The mountains of Y Llethr (754m Ordnance datum) (which literally translates as 'The Slope' in Welsh) and Diffwys (750m) are the two heighest mountains in the Rhinog Range. They form the most southerly part of the range and have an appearance distinctly different to their neighbours to the north. From Y Llethr south the terrain becomes much less rocky and the heather becomes grassland, the slopes are still steep but the walking is much easier. Both summits can be reached in one trip along the Crib-y-rhiw ridge which offers superb views of the surrounding countryside and Cardigan Bay.
Y Llethr |
Winter ClimbingUnfortunately the close proximity of these mountains to the sea and the frequent arrival of Atlantic depressions pushing warm, moist air over the range, even in the middle of winter climbing conditions are infrequent and unreliable. This combined with the relatively long walk in to the best locations has led to a lack of exploration and recorded winter climbs in the area however a number routs have been recorded around Craig Bodlyn (400m OD) (SH 650 237) which sits just south of Llyn Bodlyn (385m OD) (SH 648 239) between Y Llethr and Diffwys.
The climbs are listed below but this is only a very brief outline, for a full description read Welsh Winter Climbs (Cicerone Guide) by Malcolm Campbell and Andy Newton:
Chain Gang 150m Grade V: A difficult and intricate mixed climb up a steepening gully.
Riskophelia 150m Grade V: Similar in quality to Chain Gang, it runs an immediately parallel line to the left. High up and around 150m across to the left in a massive fringe of icicles with to free standing pillars either end.
Cryogenics 60m Grade V: The right hand and more continuous of the two lines.
The Screaming 70m Grade V: Starts just left of Cryogenics and moves diagonally across to the foot of the left hand icicle.
Diffwys Gully 120m Grade III: To the left of Craig Bodlyn, this route is a much easier gully climb, after which the crag peters out into the hillside.
Essential Gear
Summer: All that is needed is the standard gear - a good pair of boots, water proofs etc.
Winter: For walkers, under snowy conditions the addition of an ice axe and crampons is required, and for those who lack confidence a rope and helmet is also advisable. For climbers specialised equipment is essential including two well designed, curved or inclined hand tools (normally one with and adze the other with a hammer), and a pair of rigid-soled mountaineering boots fitted with crampons which have ice-climbing front points.
Getting ThereThe Maes-Garnedd car park can be reached easily from the A496 which runs along the coast from Llanulltyd near Dolgellau in the south to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the north. Parking is also available along the road near Cil-Cychwyn (SH 633 258) can give a good starting point for attacking Y Llethr.
Alternatively it is also possible to start a route from the south and parking is available at Bontddu (SH 672 188) and Cwm Mynach (SH 684 215).
The area can also be reached by rail, however getting from the stations to the mountains themselves can be difficult as public transport is pretty infrequent and hitching can be a nightmare.
Red TapeNo red tape at all. Although unlikely it is worth checking the countryside access map provided by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) regarding whether or not any restrictions on movement in the area are in place.
Countryside Access Map
CampingThere are a number of campsites that surround the range, the best situated, but also most basic is a campsite at Cwm Bychan (SH 644 313) in the heart of the mountains and in easy distance from both Rhinog Fawr and Fach. Other nearby campsites can be found at Cae Gwyn Farm (SH 713 297) to the east of the range, and Merthyr Farm (SH 600 319) to the west.
For wild camping Llyn Hywl (SH 662 267) and Llyn Bodlyn (SH 648 239) make an excellent locations.
Campsites, hostels, hotels and B&Bs can also be found at all of the larger neaby towns e.g. Porthmadog, Harlech, Dolgellau, and Barmouth; as well as in some smaller villages along the coast e.g. Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr and Coed Ystymgwern.
MapsGuidebooksSnowdonia (Official National Park Guide) by Merfyn Williams
The Mountains of England and Wales: Volume 1 Wales (Cicerone Guide) by John and Anne Nuttall
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 1 (Cicerone Guide) by Peter Hermon
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 2(Cicerone Guide) by Peter Hermon
Hillwalking in Snowdonia (Cicerone Guide) by Steve Ashton
Ridges of Snowdonia (Cicerone Guide) by Steve Ashton
Scrambles in Snowdonia (Cicerone Guide) by Steve Ashton
Climbers Club Guide Wales: Meirionnydd
Welsh Winter Climbs (Cicerone Guide) by Malcolm Campbell and Andy NewtonExternal LinksGeneral
Snowdonia National Park Authority
Gwynedd County Council
Local Information from Gwynedd.com
Local Information from Snowdonia Wales Net
Countryside Council for Wales
The National Trust
CADW
Rhinog SAC
Weather
Mountain Weather Wales
Weather from the Met Office
Weather Channel UK
Travel
Welsh Public Transport Information
Uk Train Timetable
Accomodation
Youth Hostel Association in Wales
Maps and Guidebooks
Ordnance Survey
Harvey Map Services
Cicerone Guidebooks Images
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