Tryfan North Ridge And Beyond

OUTDOORSmagic Classic Route

North Ridge Tryfan (Grade 1 Scramble) - South Ridge Tryfan - Bristly Ridge (Grade 1 Scramble) -Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Cwm Cneifon - Devil's Kitchen path - Ogwen

Map: OS Landranger 115: 1:50,000 'Snowdon' / OS Outdoor Leisure 17: 1:25,000 Snowdonia (Snowdon)

Distance: 7 miles approx. Time: five to six hours

In the beginning: The hottest day of the year so far, over 30-degrees C so we go hunting for cool breezes high in Snowdonia. After all, it's always cool in Snowdonia. Not this time though, you could fry eggs on the North Ridge of Tryfan. Not that you'd guess that from the side view where it looks like a dinosaur crossbred with a serrated bread knife. Park on the A5 (664603) beneath the obvious mountain just beyond the camp site at Gwern Gof Uchaf (673603). Don't forget the eggs.

The North Ridge: What looks like a razor from the edge turns out to be a broad collection of jumbled blocks, spikes and chimneys from the base (665600). It's a grade one scramble, but most of it is avoidable if you're feeling wimpish. Somewhere on the ridge is a hideous, balancey exposed step-up, but I've never managed to find it again, which really sums it up. We traipse aimlessly up blocky slabs and easy chimneys till the vegetation dies out and, tails wagging like dogs, we tumble over a last block onto the summit (664594) with our tongues hanging out.

The Top: Notorious for the twin pillars of Adam and Eve, but jumping between them seems kind of vulgar - the result might put other off their lunch so we just sit there on Adam or maybe Eve and watch the world go by. The drop on the far side is less than you'd think by the way, but you wouldn't want to try the step in the wet.

The South Ridge: We amble on down taking in views of Bristly Ridge (it's the bristly one straight ahead) and lose the path three times, mainly because there is no path, before being saved by an ancient rambler who obviously empathises with stray dogs. Then it's down into the dip (663590) between Tryfan and Glyder Fach , Bwlch Tryfan if you must name it, before slogging through the heat towards Bristly Ridge.

Bristly Ridge: Another Grade One scramble starting (662587) with an easy chimney and a load of blocky stuff higher up. Strangely for a ridge there's hardly any sense of exposure except on one move when you step down into a gap. It's crowded though and with memories of a 30 minute queue at the bad section on a similar day we opt for torturing progress up the adjacent scree slope. Bad move as a torrent of sweat threatens to form a new stream down the loose debris.

The Glyders: Lollop past the classic sights of Glyders Fach and Fawr - the Cantilever (657584) the Castle of the Winds (655582) and an awesome view of Snowdon over to the left. Past the start of the Gribin ridge (651583) then down horribly eroded scree slopes to Cwm Cneifon and the top of the Devil's Kitchen path (639587). Poles are a good idea on the descent down to the Cwm unless you really want to erode your bottom as well as the path. the sky looks nice though.

The Devil's Kitchen Path: Paws aching in the heat, we pick our way down this once eroded, now conserved path towards glittering Llyn Idwal. Penyrole-Wen, our pick for the worst ascent in Snowdonia looms above the Ogwen tea shack, but the cliffs keep some of the sun off for a while. Finally we pick our way along the shores of Lyn Idwal (645595), past slowly frying climbers on the Idwal Slabs, and back to Ogwen for tea and cake North Welsh style. Hottest day of the year so far, ideal for mad dogs.

Variations: You can descend via the Gribin Ridge by dropping off to the right before you hit Glyder Fawr and get good views of the winter routes in the Nameless Cwm. Alternatively, if you've had your Boneo, head on up to Y Garn via a mindless slog, then drop off the steep but easy ridge back down to Cwm Idwal.

Kit: High mountain stuff. Poles are good on the descent into Cwm Cneifon which is steep and loose in a nasty, sliding sort of way. Ironically we were using the Craghoppers Dri Pac, but it at least confirmed that the wicking, breathing back system works really well even in the heat of summer.

Guidebooks: For the scrambles, Scrambles in Snowdonia by Steve Ashton (Cicerone)

And finally... this was the fantastic view of Snowdon from the top of Glyder Fach, you can make out Crib Goch, Lliwedd and the summit plus Llyn Llydaw nesttling in the horseshoe. Click here to see the full panoramic version in a new window, but be warned, it's a biggish file...