Overview
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Getting There Y Cribyn Topo To reach the base of the ridge one must take the Miners Track from Pen y Pass to Llyn Glaslyn. The starting point for the Miners Track is the Pen y Pass car park (SH 647 555) at the zenith of Llanberis Pass, which can be reached easily by road on the A4086 that runs between Llanberis (SH 582 598) and Capel Curig (SH 719 580). Owing to the popularity and sheer number of routes that start here the Pen y Pass car park often fills up quickly so if you want to park there a very early start is recommended. Luckily there are other options, the first of these is an excellent park and ride which runs regularly all day (including weekends and bank holidays) from Nant Perris (SH 607 582). The second option is the Snowdon Sherpa bus service which has various stops around the mountain and runs from Llanberis, Bettws y Coed, Caernarfon, Beddgelert, Bethesda, and Porthmadog. Be sure to check timetables first as you don't want to end up missing the last bus and find yourself stuck, of course in these situations hitching is always an option. Route Description The view back down the ridge towards the starting point at the outflow of Llyn Glaslyn The Approach As was mentioned earlier the start of the route can be reached via the Miners Track. The Miners Track begins at Pen y Pass and starts by contouring around the southeastern slope of The Horns. It follows the contours westward to meet the northern shore of Llyn Teyrn where it continues in a south-westerly direction around a small ridge. About half a mile after Llyn Teyrn the approach route reaches Llyn Llydaw, and it is here that one of the most majestic views of Snowdon can be seen, together with a full view of the mighty cliffs of Y Lliwedd on the left, and the brilliantly red Crib Goch on the right. From here the track crosses Llyn Llydaw via its famous causeway, built in the 19th century to aid the transference of men to and from the mines on the far side of the lake and at Glaslyn. The path then follows the lakes shoreline for half a mile passing a number of derelict mine buildings along the way. The most prominent of these is the old crushing mill of the Britannia Copper Mine which in its day was one of the most advanced mills in the country and was worked by a water-wheel fed from Llyn Glaslyn high above. At the last complex of ruins the path bears right and becomes steeper, roughly following the main stream that flows out of Glaslyn. The base of Y Cribyn ridge and the start of the route is located at the outflow of Llyn Glaslyn, where the stream is shallow and there are enough rocks to allow for a dry crossing. The Route The route begins at the outflow of Llyn Glaslyn, here the stream is shallow and can be easily crossed by hopping from one rock to the other, to the grassy terminating hump of the ridge. Head for the slabs of rock slightly to the right of the ridges crest and ascend them onto the broad and relatively flat precursor to the ridge proper. From here the route rapidly steepens; roughly follow the crest of the ridge, detouring where necessary in order to find the best line. The scrambling should be easy and secure throughout, but if you find yourself in difficulty, a quick descent is safe enough and you should be able to find a suitable line with relatively little trouble. The ridge terminates at a small but prominent cairn towards the middle section of Bwlch y Saethau, just below the East Ridge of Snowdon. Ascend this ridge via a rather broken and scrappy scramble to reach Snowdon’s summit. From here take your pick of descents, my recommendation is to do a traverse of Crib y Ddysgl and Crib Goch back to Pen y Pass. 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 this route in winter conditions then an ice axe, crampons, and a helmet are all essential. You also might want to take along a rope and a winter rack if there are nervous members among your party. 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 External Links Y Cribyn from Garnedd Ugain Snowdonia National Park Authority Gwynedd County Council Local Information from Gwynedd.com Local Information from Snowdonia Wales Net North Wales Index Snowdonia-Active.com 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 Snowdon Summit Blog Hightreck Snowdonia Weather Mountain Weather Wales Weather from the Met Office Weather Channel UK Travel Welsh Public Transport Information Uk Train Timetable Welsh Highland Railway Snowdon Sherpa Accommodation Youth Hostel Association in Wales Beddgelert Forest Campsite Cae Du campsite near Beddgelert Maps and Guide Books Ordnance Survey Harvey Map Services Cicerone Guide Books Climbers Club Guide Books Images
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