Some pics from a walk on Dec 24th.

Saw four or five people on top and another four on descent who were the only ones other than the two of us to have ascended the Ranger today (unless they set off after 2pm). There was even a mountain biker on the summit.

Virgin Snow

Snowdonia definately got its first proper dump of snow of the season today, with more to come tonight and into sunday night. First thing this morning, the snow level was around 300m, and with significant falls on the summits. Some drifts were waist deep on top of Foel Fras, which because of the wall across the summit, always sees deep drifts.

Walking up Yr Aryg, I'd hoped to get to Llewelyn, but the snow was neither deep enough to cover the rocks or shallow enough to see where all the holes were. So it was a tentative, long bimble to get to the ridge in thick mist. I was soon on Garnedd Uchaf, and yes - I'm aware some people have changed it, but Garnedd Uchaf it will remain. What other hills shall be renamed after dead historical figures who are only significant by their birthline? As you may gather, I'm not much of a royalist... Anyway, back to the snow - here's some images.

Healthy dusting of snow towards the Arenig and Aran ranges.

Foel Fras Skyscape

Foel Fras

This was after it 'cleared'!

Carnedd Dafydd and Yr Elen from GARNEDD UCHAF

OH YES!

Castell y Geifr.

It's almost a cert that we'll see some of the white stuff falling on the highest peaks this weekend. It may even be falling as low as 300m - though unlikely to stick.

Saturday - There should be snow overnight and into the morning, over about 500m. The afternoon looks to start clearing, so it might well be a corker of a day if the cloud keeps off.

Sunday - Again, forecast to start cool, with the chance of overnight snow. Will be a little breezy, and windchill is likely to be a factor! It looks like it might even be a fine day, but while the synoptics suggest it will be, a quick look at all the different forecasts makes you realise that anything from rain to sun and everything in between is possible.

Best bet? Saturday - as who knows what might happen! Pretty much certain snow on the Carneddau, though it may well start melting as soon as it's fallen.

Outlook - Next week remains cool, with probable further snowfalls in the first half. But looks to warm up later in the week, so chances of snow remaining is slim.

We wish....

It may be my birthday in the next few days, but even if I have got my new Inov8 Roclite 320 trail shoes, I'm not going to get any lovely snow this weekend.

Unlikely scene this weekend.

It looks like wind and rain will dominate on Saturday, with plenty of the former to lash the latter. Sunday sees the weather improving, but still no snow, and while remaining windy its looking much more benign than Saturday.

Long term forecasts don't show anything promising for the next few weeks either so don't bother cleaning the cobwebs off them ice axes just yet...

The recent weather, in its transition from winter to spring, saw some pretty abrupt changes. From camping in a snow drift, within two weeks i was walking with a 35litre pack, trail shoes, shorts and camping in the sun!
A few weeks back on High Street...

Bring on the Sun. Overnight at Glaslyn.