Comments on: The Carneddau via Llech Ddu Spur

By: Don Smith

Don Smith — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 09:48:40 +0000

Hello Al,

Just realised that your email is a ‘do not reply’ so you may not have received it. I’ve repeated it here just in case.

Having looked at your website, it seems to me you’d be capable of doing almost anything. You appear to have a wide range of pastimes.

I’ve attached the report I wrote to everyone I’d asked for sponsorship, for your interest. Your offer of support is very kind and I really appreciate it. The best way to do it is via the JustGiving site, which is “Donald Smith is fundraising for RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution (justgiving.com)” or to use the QR code attached.

This escapade has certainly been one of the most difficult climbs I’ve ever done but I’d like to come back and do it again but to go up Llech Ddu rather than Crib Lem. Surely I could pick a better day for the climb than last time. Maybe you could show me the best way to tackle it?

Best wishes.
Don

By: Alan Cole

Alan Cole — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 06:43:04 +0000

In reply to Don Smith.

Well done Don – sounds like a good day in the hills. Is there anywhere online where we can contribute to your fundraising? I’ve since joined the ranks of the ‘old and infirm’ so I think I’d have trouble doing it myself at the moment!!

Al.

By: Don Smith

Don Smith — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 22:27:32 +0000

Hello Alan,
I said I’d give you an update on my plan to do what you’d done in your article, above.
I set the ball rolling just after our last exchange in mid May. I contacted RNLI with the proposal, which they approved as a fundraising effort and sent out loads of sponsorship forms to anyone I could think of. I didn’t specify a date for the event but said it would be sometime this summer. I eventually picked the week of 8th – 14th July. Unfortunately, as the time went on the weather forecast deteriorated but I’d already booked a campsite so decided to go ahead. The forecast on the day I arrived suggested that Friday 9th would be the best as the weather would worsen over the following days and wouldn’t improve till after I’d left.
I set off from Gerlan just before 10:00 to give the rock time to dry out a bit, as it was due to rain overnight. Cloud shrouded the top of the horseshoe but I carried on as some sunshine was forecast. However, by the time I got to the first shoulder on Llech Ddu I was already in cloud and it had started raining (not heavily but continually). I decided to carry on. The climb was reasonably straightforward if a little slippy on the rock, but I got to the top. However, I was amazed to see the small boulder field between there and the summit of C. Dafydd. It seemed to take an eternity to get over it. First evidential photo taken for RNLI.
I headed off around the cwm but the cloud was so dense I could neither see where I was going or get a compass bearing. I decided to make a wide swing to avoid getting too close to the edge. It was obviously too wide and as the cloud cleared to windward I saw the A5 and what I think was Tryfan. I still couldn’t see C. Llewelen so plotted a rough route using Google Maps, which eventually got me there (again over a boulder strewn summit). Second photo taken. Where’s Yr Elen? Maps wasn’t as helpful this time and I went too far to the left meaning I dropped too far into the valley before I eventually saw the peak in the distance. This was definitely the easiest climb of the lot and photo number 3 was taken. Job done and all I needed to do was get back to Gerlan. Fortunately, I was able to keep in contact with my wife by mobile. I’d told her the bogey time for the round trip was 5.5 hrs and I added a further 2.5 hrs (for age and infirmity). It eventually got back after 10.5 hours. If it hadn’t been for the mobile phone, she’d have had the Mountain Rescue out after me! I was truly shattered after the day, but it was well worth it as I raised almost £3,000 plus gift aid for the RNLI
I’d like to thank you for your previous positive comments as I’m sure the original plan of straight up and down C. Dafydd wouldn’t have seemed as challenging and I doubt I’d have raised as much for the RNLI.
Best wishes. Don

By: Don Smith

Don Smith — Wed, 05 May 2021 10:19:04 +0000

Hello Alan,
Many thanks for your mail. I’m now convinced to go for it. I feel quite confident about scrambling, but it’s the unknowns like taking a wrong pitch that concern me. Perhaps, I’m being too cautious? My main concern is the long hike to the bottom of the scramble as my knees are not as good as they were (too many years of pivot jumps playing basketball) so I may need a few rest points on the way. Hence asking how long it took you. With a relatively early start in one of the summer months, I should have no problem getting back for a celebratory fizzy drink in the evening. I’ll let you know how I get on and, more importantly, how much I raise for the RNLI. Best wishes. Don

By: Alan Cole

Alan Cole — Wed, 05 May 2021 07:58:24 +0000

In reply to Don Smith.

Hi Don,
Thanks for the comment / question – before I answer and more for others than you hopefully, the usual disclaimer applies: The mountains, whichever route you take, can be killers so this isn’t a recommendation or a suggestion and safety always comes first. Your capabilities, your experience, the weather and the route you plan to take all have an impact on this and must be taken into consideration.

So, our day on Llech Ddu was indeed a good one. The scramble itself was really enjoyable. There was nothing too technical and only a couple of short sections with any exposure to speak of. We did however have a lovely dry day for it with very little wind. It might be very different in the wind and rain or of course in winter. If you have done Tryfan then you should have no problems on Llech Ddu. Route finding on the scramble was easy and there were a number of options. The more technical bits generally had easier choices if you wanted to take them so you can pick and choose a little in that respect. It will be a lot quieter than Tryfan though so you may be the only person on it – if you are doing it solo then take that into consideration and make sure someone knows where you are.

The entire route we took can be seen on the Strava embed within the post, but here’s a direct link: https://www.strava.com/activities/%E2%9B%85morning-hike-2616101999.

We did indeed take in Carneddau Llewelyn and Yr Elen. The entire circular route was around 10.5 miles and took just short of 5.5 hours at a leisurely pace taking in the scenery and enjoying a sunny day in the hills.

I might not be 74, but I’m no Spring chicken either and do have various aches and pains as well!

I’m sure if you pick a decent day you’ll love it. Have fun, stay safe and let us know how you get on.

Al.

By: Don Smith

Don Smith — Tue, 04 May 2021 20:34:37 +0000

Hello Alan, It sounds like you had a great day. I’m hoping you can give me a little help and advice, please. I’m intending to do a scramble to raise money for charity and looking for something not too difficult. From your description Llech Ddu sounds quite straightforward, but did you have any difficulties on route. I see you also did the horseshoe taking in C. LLewelyn. How long did it take you and what time did you set off? I’ve managed Tryfan (with the Adam and Eve leap), Y Gribbin and Stac Pollaidh in recent years but this will be my first ‘solo’ scramble and I don’t want to trouble the Mountain Rescue guys as I’m 74, with a stiff back and arthritic knees. Best wishes.