…but this time I didn't even open Scrambles in Snowdonia! This was another MPS jaunt, and on Saturday I planned to have a look at a Grade 3 scramble on Atlantic Slab, Carnedd y Filiast. As it was, the rain was blowing sideways down the Nant Ffrancon, so we walked around the side and then along the ridge from Carnedd y Filiast to Y Garn, and continued over the Glyderau. The entire route was incredibly windy, but some other groups managed to stay sheltered (for example on the east face of Tryfan).
Sunday dawned with a forecast of 75mph gusts and wintry showers, but we went to have a look at Ordinary Route (Diff) on Idwal Slabs. Coming up the Nant Ffrancon the tops were all clear, and the first pitch was lots of fun, but pretty uneventful weather-wise.
First pitch of Ordinary Route (Copyright Chris Burn 2008)
Meteorologically speaking, the crux of the route was the start of the second pitch. It was at this point that the driving hail came down, and the route simultaenously turned into a waterfall.
What a difference a pitch makes! (Copyright Chris Burn 2008)
What with discretion being the better part of valour, we decided to back off, and retreated back to Idwal Cottage where I shamelessly tucked into a massive currant slice to get over the trauma. All in all, still a very enjoyable day.
