They are very rugged and very good to visit.

Very amusing.

I've yet to be convinced that the Rhinogs are as bad as Trail et al make out though. Even the northern badlands weren't quite as nasty as I was expecting.

Yes - the northern section seems to be over-rated as being really bad - i found them much easier than finding your way up (or down) Rhinog Fawr from anywhere but Llyn Du.

We drew these rules up on Saturday Night, in a tent in Bwlch Drws Ardudwy after a particularly arduous day when we ONLY managed Rhinog Fawr. They were further honed after we missed the path up Rhinog Fach and ended up clambering up slopes similar to point 7 above.

One day, I swear I'll get there in fine weather. Fourth time lucky up Rhinog Fawr and this time the clouds cleared sufficiently for me to see the clouds that were obscured a few minutes previously.

One good thing about the reputation though is that it certainly keeps the area quiet. Despite the swearing and cursing on Sunday morning, somewhere on Rhinog Fach, I will be back. And you can cancel the request to get my mother...

Sounds like a fun day!

I still haven't been up Rhinog Fawr - it's high on my list. My usual way up Rhinog Fach from the bwlch is via Llyn Cwmhosan then up a scree gully at SH 662272 which isn't too bad. Or a good alternative is to go to Llyn Hywel then do an out and back summit-bag without rucksacks.

As for the northern peaks, I had a great misty half-day traversing from Moel y Gyrafolen to Moel Ysgyfarnogod. Great terrain to cover - various canyons to negotiate, plus Foel Penolau is a great little peak.

The bothy in the Coed y Brenin makes quite a useful base, and there are a few other huts in the Rhinogs themselves I mean to investigate.

We should have gone up that way! I looked at Google maps and you can see where most of the paths are - the Cwmhosan one's particularly clear. Llyn Hywel's a straightforward one - once past all those greasy boulders on the lakeside.