Rock Climbing during a hike

It was back to northern Wales this past weekend. 
It is impossible to see too much of this place. 
The Costain Climbers and Hillwalkers Club were at
the NW tip of Snowdonia National Park to bag some
3000 footers.  This area reminds me a lot of Colorado.
The mountains are not as high, but the elevation
changes are just as dramatic.

We started off our hike in the Nant Ffrancon valley
by making a 2500 foot ascent up Pen-yr Ole Wen
 (3210 feet).  About 1/3 of the "walk up" was on all
fours; however, this time I was expecting it. 
It was fascinating, as the youngest member on this trip,
to watch these 60 to 70 year olds wedging themselves
into chutes with minimal toe and hand holds to get
to the top of a mountain.  It is not exaggerating to
say that death was a single slip away at many points
on the way up and 9 hours later on the way down to
Abergwyngregyn.

The views from the top were worth the climb. 
These broad bottomed, steep sided glacial valleys
have numerous water courses that plunge from the rim
to the valley floor in a series of pools and falls. 
The region had rain the day and night before, which
made the water action even more dramatic.

Once on top, we had some minor ascents and descents,
but none very challenging.  We were following a broad,
high ridgeline with straight drops on either side. 
While this area is green enough to support grazing
flocks of sheep and a small herd of wild ponies,
it is primarily a land of rock.  Many times on the
way up, while up, and on the way down, were were on
scree fields.

Once on top, we had views of Mount Snowdon to the
south, from which the park got its name, the mountains
of Snowdonia to the east, the Irish Sea to the north west,
and Anglesey and Puffin Islands to the west.  These
mountains help make their own weather, and during our
visit, we were alternately in bright sunshine and
enveloped in the clouds.

Our climb down from the ridge line took us along
a river's edge and eventually brought us to the feet
of two waterfalls formed by the same river.  We took
the time to walk to the base of the nearest of these
falls.  It is probably in the 300 foot range and very
popular among the locals.  From there, it was an easy
2 mile walk out to our vehicle.  I took photographs,
but like the paragraphs above, they do not capture
the beauty of this region.

I hope this finds all well where you are.

DWR