Saturday 30 March 2013

Miners track walk feb 25 th 2013

Well!  after last weeks superb climb up Y-Garn HERE  in which the weather was really nice, today it is not looking good!  in fact not really sure why i am going as getting good images today will probably not be possible.  but Mollster needs a walk so...............

arriving at the "Rip off"  Pen-y-pass car park  we start walking along the miners track, and the light is dreadful :(



this just shows that i don't always get good images when i go out, but its a good walk non the less.


arriving at Llyn Llydaw the ice is interesting as a focal point but with this flat light the image is just no good.


taking a short detour up to see a frozen waterfall i have noticed,  might be worth a pic .  Come on Mol, think she looks a bit bored today also  hehe


                                          reaching the waterfall , it is completely frozen!


i think i feel same as Mollster , not really enjoying today already. i just know its a waste of time, heading back to the lake i take a nice shot of a dirty wet looking Mol.  she just doesn't look happy today, i know the feeling !


Snowdon looks really dreary today, not much snow and the paths are clear of ice mainly so making good progress up the path.

 
a bit of sunshine over in the distance for a few mins.



                                                                 more frozen waterfalls

 
heading up towards Glaslyn, Molly is asking WHY are we here today i think
 
 
the outfall at Glaslyn is partly frozen , pity the light is rubbish today as blue sky and sun would make all the difference.
 
 
 
Mollster looking bored at Glaslyn , o dear not a good sign , doesn't even want to "pose" today.   obviously knows she wont look her best!   hehe
 
 
cant believe it!  a bit of blue sky.  but it lasted only a few moments, bummer! 
 
 
 
one last view of Snowdon , fed up going back down now.
 
 
 
making my way back down i have spotted a few of the mountain goats , so stop to get a few images, i haven't seen any in ages.
 
 
 
 
that was the end of a disappointing walk, never mind plenty more to come!
 

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Mollsters First Summit feb 18th Y-Garn

Well, after last weeks failure to reach the summit of Y-Garn in the snow and ice !  Molly TOLD me i had to take her back as the weather was looking glorious.  who was i to ignore her, i didn't want an upset Mollster now did i?
so off we drove arriving at the Ogwen cottages at about 11.20 ish, the blue sky was great to see and most of the snow and ice had disappeared so it should not be a problem getting up to the top.
walking up the Idwal path it was quite warm in the sun and we made good progress up the main path, which is a good lead in for this image.  the snow on the mountain summit of Y-Garn is our destination.


its an easy walk up this good path , which winds itself up to Cym Idwal and the Devils Kitchen.
                       Arriving at the lake, Molly does her thing :)    posing nicely, bless her !    



the path goes up the far right hand side of the image above,  a fast walk and we are soon up high with superb views down the valley, Molly has heard something and is looking.......



There it is she barks!     its the welsh version of "fix the fells"  the helicopter is dropping bag loads of rocks and boulders for repairing/maintaining the paths.



                                         Still watching :)      Llyn Ogwen in the background.



Continuing upwards we soon get high enough to view the entire valley, Pen-yr-ole-wen taking centre stage , an imposing mountain!  Molly takes a rest and i take the opportunity of a "Tanya stop"   to take a few images:)



            Looking down to Cym Idwal over to the right with Tryfan in the centre in background.


after climbing the next steeper section we are now up to the level plateau, giving a superb view across to Pen-yr-ole-wen on the left and Tryfan to the right.



                                   she just had to get in the way again!!!  Arghhhhhh





    the summit is ahead , a scramble to negotiate first which looks like is covered in snow!   come on, hurry up she barks :D


I get up to where she is and take this wonderful image, one of the best of the day , and we have reached the snow at last.


                                           we going up there now?????????????




                               this is slippery as hell, strewth!    i need four paw drive  lol


"what a view, come on its not difficult"  she must be thinking , i just had to clamber in other peoples foot holes to get up this steep section, the snow is very solid! 



                                                            the summit is ahead  yay!





                                                          Look at my shadow!   hehe




    We have reached Mollys first summit , Y-Garn at 3,107 ft   Yay, i am so proud of her, she is having a great time and there will be loads more to come :)



                                                                    Me & the Mollster :)


                 This is the view towards Anglesey along the ridge we have just come along.



                                         Play time in the snow , and a bit of posing!     hehe  
       she runs down the steep snow and comes flying back towards me!    it is quite steep in places and i have trouble keeping upright.


       its a bit steep here she must be thinking ,  Snowdon summit is just visible over to the left.
       




                                                                                Amazing!


Photos all done , its time to make our way down now, its getting windy and temperature is dropping fast even though its still sunny. 

                looking back to the summit , a line of people just leaving the summit heading this way


 Back down below the snow line and having a rest in the sun, a bit warmer down here and sheltered :)           Rest time , its been a big climb  haha                            



                                         WOW!   the wind is strong now, poor Mol !


we have now reached the bottom and come to Cym Idwal ,The low setting sun is producing the best light of the day, love seeing the rays stretching across the landscape .




             A final pose , its been a superb day, reaching her first summit , 3000 ft ,so proud of her:D


The end of another superb day up in the snowdonia mountains , cant wait for the next one :)

                                            all images taken with Canon 5dmk2 & 17-40L