Traverse of the Rhinogs

Another one of those days spent hidden in clouds, as the photography testifies. We left Pont y Grible at about 10 O’clock, with a long trek in to the forest on the East of the range. We followed a very boggy path through the forest towards the Roman Steps, then we took a Southern path up towards Llyn Du. We proceed due South from the Eastern flank of the lake, straight up the northern flank of Rhinog Fawr, and continued directly over it, descending steeply into the valley below.

After crossing a small stream we proceeded South again, past the West bank of Llyn Cwmhosan, attacking Rhinog Fach from the steepest side (West), The weather was so crappy, and the climbing so intense that I put the camera away at this point. By the time we’d summited I’d had enough, but was committed to the route, as the nearest escape point was after the final summit.

The route from here simply followed a wall directly over Y Llethr and Diffwys, which fortunately were far less challenging. On the top of Diffwys we caught the led walk up, and I aborted the drop down into Barmouth there to enjoy a shorter, and more leisurely stroll into Bontddu.

Its two days on, and my legs still feel like crap, but next time…