GW/NW-008 898m ASL
The car was parked at NantGwynant on the A498 at the beginning of the Watkin Path.
The river, Afon Cwm Llan runs alongside the path with picturesque waterfalls.
Left home QTH in mist, which magically cleared away as I drove down the A498 to a parking area (with a loo) at Nant Gwynant, GR SH628507. Nearby one can paddle in Afon Glaslyn, very pleasant to quench feet which have been encased in boots for some hours. From the car park (worth arriving early in the summer) a few yards south and across the main road is a tarmac track heading N. This is the start of the Watkin Path. About 500 metres on, the track turns right towards Hafod-y-llan, but the route goes through a gate to become an unpaved track.
Follow this track, ascending steadily, past a ruined cottage on the right and soon the Gladstone Rock on the left. The track swings W, but soon NNE through some long-abandoned workings to become a path, somewhat steeper heading N but then veering E and lastly NE to reach Bwlch Cilau. Here you have a choice. The Watkin Path follows the ridge NW towards Yr Wyddfa for 10 points and the cafe (perhaps someone else would like to comment on this part of the Watkin Path).
I went SE steeply up a path which, in places, was difficult to find except by worn rock. This kept enticing me to the left and several pitches of rather exposed scambling. Not quite tiger country (they play on Crib Goch at the other end of the Horseshoe), but certainly fun for big pussy-cats. Not easy I have all my equipment on an old rigid pack frame. An easier approach (I found on the way down) is to veer right, away from the steepest ascent, but even here a little scrambling is required.
Towards the summit, I was lucky enough to see some of the feral goats which live wild in this area. At the summit there is little ground flat to sit comfortably, and an assortment of pegs, bolts and wedges are required to guy a mast.
For refreshment, there is the Pen-y-Gwyid Hotel at the junction of the A4086 and the A498 (Photographs and mementoes of the training base for the 1953 Everest expedition) or the cafe at Capel Curig. It was here that I saw some rather alarming (or perhaps alarmist) suggestions as to the possible outcome of transport/parking proposals, which, it was alleged, could seriously affect the freedom of movement for Snowdonia tourists. The website mentioned, WWW.Snowdonia2002.fsnet.co.uk
may be worth your attention.
73s, Dave. M0DFA
