{"id":45661,"date":"2025-05-12T15:14:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/?p=45661"},"modified":"2026-03-08T08:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T08:19:47","slug":"welsh-nuttalls-bagging-the-big-ones-crib-goch-crib-y-ddysgl-and-yr-wyddfa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/05\/welsh-nuttalls-bagging-the-big-ones-crib-goch-crib-y-ddysgl-and-yr-wyddfa\/","title":{"rendered":"Welsh Nuttalls – Bagging the Big Ones \u2013 Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl and Yr Wyddfa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With my sights set on summiting all of the Nuttalls in Wales<\/a>, there were a few that I knew I\u2019d definitely climbed in the past\u2014but quite a long time ago. That meant that although I\u2019d done them, I hadn\u2019t used a GPS device at the time, so I had no \u2018digital evidence\u2019 to confirm it. One of these was the mighty Crib Goch, along with Crib y Ddysgl between Crib Goch and Yr Wyddfa.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Crib<\/a>
Crib Goch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Not only are these Nuttalls and therefore on my list, but they\u2019re also Welsh 3000s\u2014and of course, Crib Goch has a serious reputation as one of the premier ridge scrambles in the UK. Some friends from work wanted to do Crib Goch too but were sensible enough to want a \u2018guide\u2019, so Rhys and I agreed to take them up on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a day it turned out to be! The conditions couldn\u2019t have been better: clear blue skies, perfect temperatures, and barely a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Walk In<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I drove Laura and Nia up to the Pen y Pass car park, where we\u2019d pre-booked a space. We met Lizzie and Gary there, then Rhys and Sarah joined us, and we were ready to set off around 8:30 a.m. We didn\u2019t really need much kit as the forecast was spot on, but me being me, I took a few spares and emergency bits \u2018just in case\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk up to the base of Crib Goch via the Pyg Track didn\u2019t seem to take long. Temperatures were just nudging into double figures but climbing steadily, so we appreciated the shade on the way up. We soon found ourselves at the base of the scramble. I didn\u2019t know Nia, Lizzie, or Gary before today, so we chatted as we walked and got to know each other. Everyone seemed really nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ready<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Off<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Grade<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"At<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about a mile to the start of the scramble, which at a gentle pace took us about half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-Scrambling We Go<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There were plenty of others on the route, but it wasn\u2019t too busy, and we didn\u2019t have to wait much at all as we started to put hands to rock and began the scramble up Crib Goch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few people in our group were a little uncertain at first, but they soon found their rhythm once they got a feel for the rock and realised what they were capable of. It\u2019s actually a lovely scramble up to the ridge\u2014no real exposure, just solid rock with good handholds and footholds. Nothing scary, nothing technical, but definitely not a \u2018walk\u2019 either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rhys<\/figure><\/div>
\"Nia<\/figure><\/div>
\"Lizzie<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Scrambling<\/figure><\/div>
\"Towards<\/figure><\/div>
\"A<\/figure><\/div>
\"Scrambling<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We stopped now and then to take in the views. The triangular peak of Yr Wyddfa looks impressive from this angle, and the lakes soon felt a long way below us. With such perfect weather, the views out across Snowdonia were absolutely stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Amazing<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Showdon<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Ridge Traverse<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Half an hour later, we reached the ridge proper. This is where Crib Goch starts to feel a little more serious, with a sheer drop to the north (right-hand side) and a pretty steep slope to the south. It is possible to stride confidently along the top, but it\u2019s not recommended\u2014and certainly not the safest option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best approach is to move carefully and stay concentrated, keeping to the left-hand side, using the very top for handholds and picking careful footholds. I don\u2019t have the strongest head for heights these days, so I kept my centre of gravity low and took it steady.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without meaning to, we split into two groups here: me, Gary, and Lizzie at the front; followed by Nia, Rhys, Sarah, and Laura. There were lots of other people around, and some safer spots where we could regroup for a breather and a chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Along<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Stopped<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The summit of Crib Goch (923 m) is partway along the ridge. After the main ar\u00eate, we descended to Bwlch Goch and stopped for a while. Everyone had made it across\u2014some were relieved it was over, but everyone was smiling, proud, and glad they\u2019d done it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Nia,<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Descent<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On to Crib y Ddysgl<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Bwlch Goch, there\u2019s more relatively easy scrambling, then a choice: either head up to Crib y Ddysgl (1065 m) or take the lower path that rejoins the Pyg Track. I wanted to bag Crib y Ddysgl properly with a GPS, so Rhys and Gary joined me while the others took the lower route. The girls were a bit put off by what looked like a sheer rock face\u2014but we soon found a manageable way up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gary got stuck briefly at one point\u2014until he remembered he had a right leg as well as a left one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, we enjoyed more great scrambling and ridge walking until we reached the relatively flat top and trig point of Crib y Ddysgl (also known as Carnedd Ugain). The views from here were some of the best I\u2019ve ever seen: Yr Wyddfa and the whole Snowdon Horseshoe to one side, Porthmadog and the coast to the south, the Lleyn Peninsula stretching out, and Llanberis and North Wales to the north. What a day to be up there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"View<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Yr Wyddfa and the Way Down<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We made our way down to Bwlch Glas, where the Llanberis Path, Pyg Track, and Snowdon Ranger Path all meet. We expected to find the girls there, but they weren\u2019t, so Rhys and I scanned the slopes and eventually spotted them just about to rejoin the Pyg Track\u2014about ten minutes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we waited, Gary disappeared. When I looked around, I spotted him striding off toward the summit of Yr Wyddfa! I told Rhys to wait for the others and ran after Gary, catching up with him just below the summit. He was on a mission\u2014heading to the caf\u00e9 for a cider!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I waited at the summit while he popped in, and then we headed back down to rejoin the others. After that, we all descended via the Pyg Track. It felt like a long way down, and again we naturally split into two groups, with me, Lizzie, and Gary moving a little quicker and chatting as we went.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a>
View from Yr Wyddfa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Three Nuttalls, Great Company, and a Perfect Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All in all, it was a perfect day in the mountains\u2014great company, loads of laughs, and three Nuttalls ticked off<\/a>. They weren\u2019t new to me, but at least I\u2019ve bagged them digitally now. The weather was unbeatable, and the whole route was a joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>