Yesterday I was out in Snowdonia with two clients, Mike and Hayden. Both are pretty experienced in the hills and are on the ML trail, having completed their training. They were after a day on steep ground including some easy (grade 1) scrambling on classic routes to gain further experience - and they don't come any more classic than the Tryfan N Ridge - Bristly Ridge - Y Gribin round !
We met at the lay-by right under Tryfan just after 9.30 am and after the usual faffing set off at almost 10 am in pretty reasonable weather, cloudy but dry and warm with good visibility, though we knew the forecast was for significant deterioration in the afternoon.
A plague(?) of Scouts ... Almost immediately upon starting the route, we were amongst a large group (20-30) of young scouts aged we thought, around 13-15 with some leaders dotted here and there. Now I don't know the level of competency of these kids, or the qualifications of the leaders, so I don't want to cast too many aspersions but I thought the level of supervision looked suspect and I was glad I didn't have the responsibility - however, my two clients who are both teachers and CCF leaders were aghast at what they saw !
Tryfan Rescue ... With a little thought on route choice, we largely managed to avoid the main crowd apart from at the usual bottlenecks, though some of them seemed to follow our route once they had seen us ! Otherwise, it was a very pleasant ascent of scrambling and rough walking until we encountered a father / son pair who asked for help. They had become cragfast after venturing too far round to the west on one of the steeper sections. The father was able to retreat to safe ground but his teenage son had got into a position where he couldn't go forward and didn't want to go back over some wet slabs. After a quick recce, I decided the quickest and safest approach was to drop a rope to provide him some security to climb up to me. He was able to climb easily onto a ledge more directly below me, I put a sling round a huge block, dropped a rope loop down to him and asked him to step into it and tighten it. I then set up an Italian hitch and belayed him up to me. The poor lad was shaking like a leaf and struggling for footholds, but with the security of the rope and some gentle coaxing made it to the security of our position, still shaking. His Dad joined us shortly after and with a mumbled thank-you and something about having done the route ok previously, set off with his son up the next section - nice to know our help was appreciated and that the father had his son's well being at the top of his agenda !! My guys were impressed with the simplicity of my solution and we debated the fact that use of this system is not within the ML Summer remit.
The rest of the ascent happened without incident and on reaching Adam & Eve, we scuttled straight off to the south summit for a bite and drink to ensure a bit of peace and to be well away from potential 'Scouts fall while jumping Adam & Eve' incidents.
There is a message here, which is ... Tryfan is a serious proposition and is often underestimated by walkers beguiled by its roadside location. In poor visibility, it is especially difficult with no clear track and many false trails. Make sure you are properly equipped and have the experience to deal with it in poor conditions, or seek the services of a qualified mountain professional.
Bristly Ridge in the wet ... After a bit of ML ropework practice on our way down, we reached Bwlch Tryfan and started up towards Bristly just as the cloud came in and a light rain started - the forecast was going to be pretty accurate it seemed. Bristly Ridge, though shorter, is a tougher proposition than the standard Tryfan route (though Tryfan can be made harder) and in the wet requires a lot more care as some of the rock is quite smooth. My two guys certainly found it more of stretch and towards the limit of their comfort zones, though no rope use (planned or unplanned !) was required. Surmounting the headwall at the top of the gully got the award from both of them as least comfortable moment, even though we took the old style 'thrutching' option through the hole. The pinnacle also lived up to its 'intimidating' description as we approached it, but once the guys saw the fairly easy descent to the gap, they relaxed. Once through and round the pinnacle back to the ridge, the scramble peters out onto the plateau of Glyder Fach and we passed the cantilever, climbed onto the summit - made much more delicate by the greasy rock - and found a spot for a second bit of lunch and hot drink in now dry and clearer weather.
Back down via Y Gribin ... Sadly the respite form the rain and cloud was brief and by the time we set off, the cloud was closing in, wind rising and rain starting again. After a brief detour towards Glyder Fawr (I initially missed the route onto Y Gribin in the murk - doh !) we headed back round the lip of Cwm Cneiffion and found the top of Y Gribin. We had just started the descent when we bumped into a party coming up - a group of teachers out with an instructor for some ML steep ground work and a wild camp. They were most impressed with my scrambling gloves - in reality a cheap pair of gardening gloves with rubberised fingers - and in the weather conditions they were certainly going to get their wish for a wild camp ! A slow, careful descent of the steep upper section in heavy rain and low viz got us to the football field and then down to Llyn Bochlwyd where a bit more 'naving' was required to get us onto the path back to the car park and the car at about 7.30 pm. All in all a great 9.5 hour day out, which the guys seemed to enjoy, good company and a little added rescue drama- now that's what I call a Quality Mountain Day !
Cheers to both Mike and Hayden for making it such an enjoyable day, I think they got quite a lot out of it and MIke has a further two days booked with me soon.
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