Rhyd Ddu 25/11/12

Hike 1 (Snowdon descent tia Allt Maenderyn)
Approx: 16km 900m of ascent (9.6miles/2950ft)

Start: Rangers Path

Finish: Rhyd Ddu

Ascent Snowdon via the Rangers Path, head back via Bwlch Main ridge across Allt Maenderyn and finally west towards Rhyd Ddu.

Alternate: Descend via the Rhyd Ddu Path

Hike 1 (Scramble Nanttle Ridge)
Report: this hike did not go ahead due to the icy wet conditions which would have been dangerous on the rock along Nanttle Ridge (Y Garn, Mynydd Drws-y-Coed, Trum y Ddysgl , Mynydd Tal-y-Mignedd,Craig Cwm Silyn , Garnedd Goch, Mynydd Graig Goch.)

Approx: 15 km 800m of ascent (12.7 miles/ 2600ft)

Start and Finish: Rhyd Ddu

The scramble begins at the ridge of Mynydd Drws-y-Coed, try and stay on the crest, the sides are very exposed and more difficult. The full ridge is 20 km which I think is too much work for a winter day in the snow! You can make it about 15 km by cutting off path BEFORE you get onto the ridge of Craig Cwm (nice valley there, follows a creek). Be aware - it is steep. Did that in the dry and it was perfectly fine, however snow could be a different story! Leader should decide on most sensible looking way down. :) Journey afterwards will also involve off path snow trekking, but also a nice flat walk through the forest.

Hike 2 Snowdon via Allt Maenderyn
Approx: 11 km, 900 m of ascent (6 miles/2950ft)

Start: Rangers Path

Finish: Rhyd Ddu

Head east out of Rhyd Ddu, ascent Snowdon via the Rhyd Ddu Path, then head south across Allt Maenderyn and descend west back to Rhyd Ddu.

Report: although shorter than a normal hike 2, it was the perfect length and ascent for the winter months where it is icy and snowy on the summit of Snowdon and the daylight hours are shortened

Alternate: If Bwlch Main is dangerous for a large group, (snow, strong winds etc) begin at Rhyd Ddu, head east towards Allt Maenderyn then south to Yr Aran and descend west to Cae Gors then head north back to Rhyd Ddu approx: 10km (600m of ascent)

Hike 3 Moel Hebog
Approx: 10 km, 700 m of ascent (6 miles/2240ft)

Start: Beddgelert

Finish: Rhyd Ddu

Head northwest out of Beddgelert to the summit of Moel Hebog, then descent via the north-westerly path, north through Beddgelert forest and back to Rhyd Ddu.

''Report: a good hike 3- appropriate degree of difficulty for a hike 3. lovely walk through the forest at the end, although there is a 30min slog on the road at the end.''

Alternate: Head east through Beddgelert forest and get picked up along the A4085.

Hike 4 Mynydd Mawr
Approx: 10 km, 600 m ascent (6 miles/2000ft)

Start: Betws Garmon

Finish: Rhyd Ddu

Head west through the forest and then south towards Mynydd Mawr. From Mynydd Mawr summit head south and then west towards the path leading to Rhyd Du. Go for bearings to get you on the right path in poor visibility, because there's a cliff face if you go too far south!