Winter Walk Sunday 30th Dec 2012 - Moel Siabod via Daear Dhu & Royal Forest

 

Pretty crappy weather all over Christmas and New Year. So we picked a lesser of the crappy days for the annual Winter Walk. This isn’t actually supposed to be a challenge, just a meet during the festering period, specifically to reduce the compulsion to pick at the Xmas Turkey with a nod to some optional exercise. Ok if we can squeeze in a good hearty breakfast then all the better. Previous winter walks have had elements of sticky situations, Force 10 Gales on Caradoc in Shropshire (because Wales was too windy), 8ft snow drifts coming off the Nantle ridge, nearly putting a crampon through Sparky the rasta ice dog (his fault for being a White dog covered in Ice in a White out). Slightly over burdened with full racks and wet ropes (don’t ask) for a Tryfan North Ridge & Bristly Glyder traverse.



We suggested a 7am start so Damian was woken up at 7am by Toms horn (ooooh no that sounds wrong), wer
e assuming he went to sleep fully dressed. After topical conversations including Vultures in the UK, and a cracking breakfast at the Moel Siabod Cafe (nice sausages) http://www.moelsiabodcafe.co.uk/ we opted for the namesake Siabod via the Daear Dhu ridge, a good Grade I/II in full winter garb if you keep to the edge. I doubted the estimated 60mph winds, anyway if it got really bad we could always descend. I always carry a spare pair of everything, no not for me but for ‘those who forget to pack’. The loaning of gear also helps me test out my theories on radical waterproofing for old Gore-Tex kit without me actually getting wet, a mixture from some old bottles of Silicon Tent sealant and Scotch guard worked for a bit, then Len got wet.

Ahh… good to be out in the fresh air after the Christmas cabin fever. Taking a less boggy route round the Llyn Foel swamps we got to the ridge, times I’ve been tentatively crossing here on a slightly snow crusted plug of moss and gone through to the waist.. ohh the private smugness of local knowledge. Another party were now mostly a dirty brown from taking the lower path by the lake.

 

After a brief discussion i.e Helen saying “well if your all going up the bloody ridge I’ll go to” With wind not to bad and plenty of time we head up Daear Dhu rather than go round. Most of the bad stuff was due around 4pm. Some good little spots of scrambling, Deejay’s a limpit for any bit of rock he could find, we have to prize him off, ahhh but then has been hibernating with his beautiful new baby Daisy, and he is desperate to blood his new Mantas. Not much in the way of the White stuff on the way up, strange as Damian’s new altimeter/chronograph/spongebob watch says we are at 8,720m (exaggeration), so would have expected the odd flurry. Methinks slight pre calibration error. Anyway were nearly at the top so we grabed a quick re fuel.

The absence of the sun left us only one alternative, to use Tom’s new Orange handknitted hat, brighter than his slice of Pizza.

We prepare to zip up all zippy things and tuck in all flappy straps as we poke our heads towards the summit. Mmmm a tad breezy with a nice layer of snow. Not the best conditions to linger long. Deej takes an entertaining comedy slip on the ice, and Matt’s knees are now playing up a cockerney spoons tune, so we steadily head down toward the saddle and then hit the path back towards the Royal Bridge, Deej is reminded that he carries a valuable cargo of Jim Beam Honey Bourbon, wibbly wobbly tired we take a small draft each and say goodbye to 2012.

Len sits in the car and swears the inexpensive baggy waterproof trousers he borrowed off Mussolini have kept him perfectly dry all day, Matt advises him he is actually soaking wet.  

On a clear day from the top of the Siabod, it is reputedly possible to see 13 of the 14 highest peaks in Wales without turning one's head..err, what’s the missing one then Elidir Fawr?

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=175997