Snowdonia/Eryri
Overview
| Overview |
Getting ThereConveniently, Tryfan is located very close to the A5 meaning that there isn't a long approach to the bottom of the mountain making it probably the most accessible mountain in Snowdonia. If approaching from the north or west, e.g. from Liverpool or Hollyhead, turn off the A55 and onto the A5 at the large junction (SH 593 694) that sign posts for Bethesda and follow the road until Llyn Ogwen where parking is available. If coming from the east, take the A5 through Bettws y Coed (SH798 599) and Capel Curig (SH 719 580) which will take you directly to the base of the mountain. If driving from the south, take the A470 through Blaenau Ffestiniog (SH 700 458) to Bettws y Coed, and turn off onto the A5 towards Bethesda which will take you the same way as if coming from the east. There is plenty of parking along the A5 near Tryfan, some of which you have to pay for, some of which you don't. My advice is to never bother with the official car parks and just park along the roadside. There is a wide 'pavement' type verge on the southern side of the road that can easily accommodate the width of a car or minibus, and is completely free and never full (even on bank holidays). It also allows you to park even closer to the base of the mountain and the start of the path. Route DescriptionThe Milestone Buttress (a prominent feature on the lower west side of the ridge) can be seen from the road, and the route heads towards it slightly to its left (east) where it gains the shoulder of the ridge. It then ascends though a boulder-strewn slope and breaks through a short a barrier at its top. The route then continues slightly to the left side of the ridge to a quartz platform. Slightly to its right The Cannon can be found, a famous rock feature that protrudes from the ridge. Make sure you get a photo of yourself on it and then crop it so it looks like your standing over an enormous precipice, a shot that will definitely impress your non-mountaineering mates down the pub! The Cannon The route carries on slightly to the left of The Cannon up a high crag and continues to another platform just before a prominent nose of rock. Its best to carefully inspect this barrier for the best line and then follow it over polished rock to Tryfan's North Summit, the route then descends the far side of the summit to The Notch. The route then heads right, out of the Notch, and ascends a gully to the north of the summit, continuing easily over scattered boulders to Tryfans true summit and Adam and Eve. Descent is usually made via the South Ridge (a grade 1 scramble itself) and then down to Llyn Bochlwyd and the A5. The ridge is part of the longer route of the Bochlwyd Horseshoe which incorporates an ascent of Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge and descends via Gribin Ridge to the A5. Essential GearDuring the summer you will need all the equipment you would normally use on a Grade 1 scramble i.e. a good pair of boots and full waterproofs. A rope and helmet may be required for the inexperienced or those without a head for heights.If your lucky enough to climb the mountain in winter conditions then an ice axe (or ice axes on the harder routes), crampons, a helmet, a rope and a descent winter rack (if going for a more serious route) are all essential. MapsGuidebooksSnowdonia (Official National Park Guide) by Merfyn WilliamsThe 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 guidebook for Wales: Ogwen and the Carneddau Rock Climbing in Snowdonia The Long Routes: Mountaineering Rock Climbs in Snowdonia and the Lake District Welsh Winter Climbs (Cicerone Guide) by Malcolm Campbell and Andy Newton External Links Climbing the North Ridge General Snowdonia National Park Authority Gwynedd County Council Local Information from Gwynedd.com Local Information from Snowdonia Wales Net North Wales Index Countryside Council for Wales The National Trust CADW Royal Commission on Ancient & Historical Monuments in Wales Gwynedd Archeological Trust British Mountaineering Council The Climbers Club Weather Mountain Weather Wales Weather from the Met Office Weather Channel UK Travel Welsh Public Transport Information Uk Train Timetable Welsh Highland Railway Accomodation Youth Hostel Association in Wales Idwal Cottage Pyn y Pass YHA Capel Curig YHA Plas y Brenin Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite and bunkhouse Garth Farm Campsite Dolgam Campsite and B&B Capel Curig Maps and Guidebooks Ordnance Survey Harvey Map Services Cicerone Guidebooks Climbers Club Guidebooks Images |
