Seniors Gully and Seniors Ridge

by Alan Cole · Published Thursday, August 28th, 2025 · Updated Thursday, August 28th, 2025

After weeks of wall-to-wall sunshine and prolonged drought, Rhys and I had planned a day in the hills to tackle a couple of scrambles on the Idwal slabs. Typically, we somehow managed to pick the only day with rain forecast — not just the day, but the exact few hours! Still, it was in the calendar, I’d booked annual leave, and Rhys had a free window, so we carried on regardless.

We arrived at Llyn Ogwen around 8 am under grey skies, spitting rain, and cloud hanging low over the mountains. Our plan had been Idwal Staircase, then Seniors Ridge, and a couple of Glyder summits. But Idwal Staircase is essentially a waterfall when wet, and we wanted our first attempt in dry conditions. Instead, we turned to the slightly drier, less technical Seniors Gully, with Seniors Ridge to follow.

Idwal Slabs with Clouds hanging on the tops

At Llyn Idwal the weather was closing in, so Seniors Gully it was. It proved a straightforward scramble — not spectacular, but enjoyable, with a few interesting moves, and crucially, safe.

Rain picked up as we topped out, and the ridge was lost in cloud. We grabbed the last of the views and headed into the mist.

Last of the views - looking down on Llyn Idwal — Last of the views – looking down on Llyn Idwal

Soon it was raining hard, with gusts strong enough to knock us off balance. Higher up, the wind drove sharp rain into our faces. We cinched hoods, pulled on layers, and pressed on. The scrambling on Seniors Ridge was fine, though nothing too dramatic, and before long we topped out on the rock-strewn summit of Glyder Fawr (1,001 m). We didn’t linger — there was nothing to see but rain, and it hurt! Plans for extra summits were quickly abandoned in favour of a retreat down the Devil’s Kitchen. The scree slope isn’t our favourite descent, but once out of the worst of the wind it was at least more comfortable.

We stopped for lunch partway down, then continued to Llyn Idwal, dodging heavy showers. At the base of Idwal Staircase, now a raging torrent, we were amazed to see two people climbing it — one steady enough, the other clinging on miserably to the wet rock. They were basically climbing a waterfall; we were glad we’d saved it for a dry day (and now have the perfect excuse to come back).

Back at the car we changed into dry clothes, and — you’ve guessed it — as soon as we set off the sun broke through. By halfway home we were driving through glorious Welsh Countryside with leaves beginning to turn to autumnal hues under sunshine and clear skies.

Two new scrambles ticked off — in the only four hours of rain we’ve had for weeks!