Two nights under my Trailstar in Snowdonia national park..July 2020

So a ping on my phone,showed a message from Darron Linney asking if i wanted to join him on a trip too Snowdonia..i had asked him about a trip down here as im collecting the Welsh Furth peaks (15 peaks over 3000 ft)

A very early start , 3-30 am saw me and Frank fiesta turn "South!) a strange event for me..a steady run down and a huge big climb at the end saw a tired Frank deliver me to the carpark just below Llyn Eigiau Reservoir

My guide the excellent photographer Darron was waiting and we were away by 7-45 am , it was misty and warm as we started off,but already it looked like it would burn through 

Darron pointed out the Dulyn bothy and we could see some DOE tents pitched below, no doupt being eaten by the midge, that bothered us even as we stopped for a quick slurp, up here

Our first stop was the 735m spot hieght on some nice rock formations,we were treated to some great swirling mist (Seen better on the video)

There was also 4 fighter jets playing around the valleys and above us,at one stage all 4 coming together and roaring upwards,a tremedous sound 

As the cloud broke up we got stunning views across to Pen yr Helgi Du,which by chance became our 2nd nites camp spot

The shelter on Foel Grach summit,looked like a grand place to sit and have a brew on a big winters day 

On Carnedd Gwenllian with superb views across Yr Elen a summit for the next day

On Foel-fras we got nice views out across the sea and Puffin island out in the bay

We got to see alot of the fell horses too as we retraced our steps back,past the shelter,dropping to collect our camp water as we did so 

Darron and his monster 20 kilo pack 😟

The wind was blowing 20's gusting 30's as we summited our last peak of the day Carnedd Llewelyn.  Darron already had a spot in mind to take the wind off and soon enough we were both pitched up at a 1000m with a lovely view out over the sea 

Tryfan looked majestic as the mist and cloud were blown all around its ragged edges 

But sadly not long after our first brews the mist came in,followed later,and through the night, by heavy rain and gusty winds up at 45 mph at times 

The next morning was not nice,we stalled for a while,but by 8 am we agreed and set of to do battle.....it was raining hard with heavier squals all driven in by gusty winds 

We walked out and back to Yr Even,sadly i could only guess how superb this ridge must be.Then we followed the long ridge out too Carnedd Dafydd and onto Pen yr Ole Wen,giving me 7 new 3000ft peaks 

It cleared just before we reached the end of the ridge and the rain stopped around 11 iso  it was nice with the cloud showing glimpses of the valleys as we retuned along the ridge 

Having dropped and collected water we headed along and choose a spot close too Penywaun wen,on the map to camp for the 2nd night 

It stayed mainly dry till sunset,which sadly wasnt much of a show and the wind continued to blow,but we still got some nice light at times

A night of rain and again gusty winds 40 mph gave way to a nice day for our last day here 

LEAVE NO TRACE camping was completed as it always is 

The next hour or so took us along a superb ridge all the way to the last hill,Pen Llithrig y Wrach. I will have to return again to do it under snow and blue skies 😉

The wind continued to blow as we continued on a long slow descent back down towards the cars 

Heather and the Thistels were in good colour 

House near the dam wall ... Hafod-y-rhiw ?

A superb trip for my first ever backpack in Wales and my first Welsh hills since the mid 80's 

 There was a terrible failure of the dam many years ago,a short link here 

dolgarrog-dam-flood-disaster

Below is a video i took of the trip,as most videos are...best viewed in HD and on a larger screen than your phone 

Thanks for looking,Safe travels Peter

P.S Many thanks to Darron for taking me along on this trip