You never get snow like this in North Wales. Snow had fallen in different areas from Tuesday night onwards, and last night had seen the heaviest overnight snowfall so far. Unfortunately, this left me stuck in the town, while all the fun was happening miles away! Fortunately, it melted before lunch and I was able to find my way to Llanberis.
Distance, Ascent and Time 11km, 710m, 4 hours
OS Map Required Explorer 017, BMC Map, Landranger 115
Difficulties none – usually – some nav in mist.
Start / End Llanberis.
Facilities Most facilities in the village.
Public Transport Sherpa Buses and local buses from Caernarfon and Bangor.
The Route starts from near the Snowdon Railway station, pass it towards the Victoria Hotel, and turn right at a mini roundabout. Follow this road (with a terrace to your left) until there is a right turn that takes you under the Railway Viaduct. Continue, keeping to the left where the road forks and you will see a cattle grid to your left with a sign for the “Waterfall”. Follow this road, and then there is a path at the end of the road (before a farmhouse) where the path continues quite clearly across a couple of fields.
Cross the fields and you will arrive on a muddy road, turn right along this until you come to another farmhouse and a tarmac road going right (and into the village). There is also a stile, across which we go and head for the ridge of Braich y Foel. You can head straight for it, or veer left around the side of the ridge, and gain it by less steep ground. That’s the way i should have gone today, but instead i took the direct line.
I’d left the crampons in Llanberis, thinking the snow would be deep and no ice 
would be encountered. Well, I needed them on this ascent, which became almost vertical! After a few hairy moments, sliding back, and I finally reached the top and the gentle ridge lay ahead. It’s grassy, and steepens as you get higher. There is a fence to your right that you can follow as far as the summit. Though, before the summit, you reach a ninety degree turn in the fence where you follow the fence obviously left. Over a stile and you’re at the summit shelter.
Were it not so cold, i could have stayed here a while. Visibility was superb. I also had a timing problem, needing to be in Llanberis for half five (2 ½ hours away). I should have descended, but all the snow on the ridge meant I’d be a fool to miss out. So I set off down the rest of the ridge, knee deep in snow to make the most of such a rare day.
Obviously others were doing the same, and I have never seen so many people up here. That’s saying something as I’m sure I’ve been up more than twenty times. It 
included a party of 30 or so who I reckon had something to do with the Llanberis Film Festival, or the Ramblers. There were numerous other solo walkers, couples and groups; a few paragliders and a snowboarder to complete the cosmopolitan feel of the summit.
The rest of the ridge is pleasant, with views of the Nantlle Ridge being my pick of the bunch. I was glad to reach the final summit, Foel Goch (not to be confused with Y Foel Goch or Foel-goch on the Glyderau ridge) as there were storms closing in on the Nantlle Ridge and Glyderau. It was a steep descent on snow to Maesgwm, fortunately remaining on my feet for the entire descent, and retaining my dignity.
So I was quite proud with myself when i got to the bottom, where i promptly lost a leg down a snow filled drainage ditch. With the surprise i tried to balance myself and instead managed to fall head first into the corresponding drainage ditch on the opposite side of the path. All there was to seen was a leg, part of an elbow and most of my head. So much for a dignified descent.
Nothing hurt, and nobody there to see me, so I got away with it. So I packed my ice axe and headed down to Llanberis, along the well used path. The problem with well used, compacted snow that now lay ahead is that it resembles a toboggan run. So it was a slow descent, made worse by the fact that I would not be in Llanberis until about six (and my lift would have to wait for me).
Next time, I’ll take my crampons.
