We left snowy Newcastle for the even more snowy hills of Snowdonia (Eryri) in high spirits and after a stop off at Morley Asda where we proceeded to get lost as it was so big. We arrived at Tyddyn Bychan bunkhouse late enjoying the clear sky to look at the stars.

Waking to a beautiful sunrise with views of the snowy peaks we eagerly set off to explore the snow on Saturday morning. Dropping one group at Pen Y Pas, despite Matthew initially going to the wrong carpark, to climb Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) then to descend through the ice to Llanberis Meanwhile the rest of the group travelled to Llyn Ogwen and climbed the wonderful Tryfan, one of the best mountains in the country. Setting off from the lay-by near Gwern Goch Uchaf farm we then ascended past Little Tryfan where some friendly climbers wished us well on our way from half way up the slab. Before continuing over the grass and ice up to the gully that gives access to the main path up the North side of the mountain. After encountering some goats which Jake insisted were sheep we continued higher enjoying the scrambles with Jacob finding a couple of oprional fun routes up the rock which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. It then started to snow and after a brief stop near the cannon rock to put on microspikes we continued up towards the summit before contouring round to the east enjoying some nice icy and snowy scrambles up towards the false summit at the North end of the summit ridge where we had a quick bite to eat in the lee of the rock to stay out of the wind before scrambling over the boulderfield up to the summit of Tryfan (914m). The descent was just as fun with lots of nice snow and scrambling as well as a large amount of snowball fights. After reaching Bwlch Tryfan we descended north past Llyn Bochlwyd and then down past some beautiful waterfalls where we enjoyed rock handholds to prevent slipping on the glistening ice. After we had dropped below the snowline it was plain sailing back to the vans in Llyn Ogwen, apart from Isaac stepping in an icy bog, and then a nice drive up over a snowy Pen Y Pas to have a hot drink and collect the rest of the group from Llanberis. On returning to the bunkhouse for warming showers a lovely, although rather late sausage casserole and mash wash cooked by committee and then some tired souls got an early night whilst others played games and sang songs into the early hours.

Rising on Sunday to another nice sunrise after tidying the bunkhouse we set off for Arening and another amazing day in the snow. Parking in a lay-by just west of the small hamlet of Arenig we set off to climb Arenig Fawr and Moel Llyfnant. After marvelling at it costing £1.50 a minute to use the public phone box we turned up the track to Llyn Arenig Fawr and its small bothy enjoying the view before we would later ascend into the clouds once more. After climbing into the snow and cloud we made good progress up the steep ad snowy hillside breaking the deep snow tracks up the hill, which the 2 men that met us at the summit were rather grateful for, we made it to the rather chilly summit of Arenig Fawr (854m) where we saw a memorial to the flying fortress which crashed on the mountain in 1943. Before getting inside out storm shelters for some lunch.

We then continued along the ridge and enjoyed sliding down the snow to the pass before the steep ascend of Moel Llyfnant. Many different techniques were used to ascend the steep snow covered grass the most effective being the monkey crawl. After getting some stunning views of the Rhinnogydd range and Trwasfyndd reservoir through the cloud we reached the summit before quickly descending north east in the fading light before gaining the track and using our headtorches to navigate the icy stream it had become before returning to the vans after another wonderful day out, meeting the other group which had also summited Arening Fawr and then retraced their steps back to the van. A lovely return trip complete with a stop at Burger King concluded a very nice and snowy trip. – Josh

Above: Moel Llyfnant summit

Below: Goat on Tryfan

Above: Scrambling on Tryfan

Below: Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) summit