Another absolute belter of a mountain day, but nowhere near as warm as the blue skies might suggest. With our Norwegian Ski Tour only a month away, we’ve been getting some ‘uphill training’ in over the past few weeks. Neither of us had been up the South Ridge of Snowdon in years, so we travelled around to Rydd Ddu to make sure we were on the sunny aspects and with some protection from the bitterly cold easterlies.

The views were superb right from the outset and very far reaching.

As we reached the ridge proper (having ascended to Bwlch Cwm Llan from Rydd Ddu), we encountered a lot of ‘Needle Ice’ on the path and surrounding edges. So delicate, yet so strong to lift up the soil!

The ground was well frozen and there was a smattering of remaining snow, but not enough to need any crampons or micro spikes. Any exposed flesh really felt the wind chill, which was forecast to feel like minus ten, and certainly did.

Navigation was easy with such clear skies and the summit station was soon in view as we followed the ridge up the final section.

The photo below, looking out at the crest of Crib Goch, from the summit looks fairly benign, so it’s hard to convey how windy it was us there! I had to lean against the trig point to steady myself, while I tried to keep the camera level! With my glove off, I only had a few seconds to take a photo before my hand started to freeze.

Holding my arm out to take a selfie was a real effort and I was slightly worried I’d let go of the camera as the wind buffeted us.

It was marginally more sheltered on the station platform…

We snapped a few pics and took in the 360 panorama.

Then left the platform to find shelter on the far side, where we could eat a sandwich without fear of either freezing to getting blown over.

Descent from the top was rapid. The wind stayed with us this time but at least was at our backs.

Back at the van, we managed to position ourselves with sun coming in and the wind going overhead. it had been four hours van to van. Down in the valley there wasn’t much of a breeze, but what there was, was still very cold. Sheltered, it was soon t-shirt temperatures and eventually it got so hot that I had to take my t-shirt off!

After a van brew, we drove around to Llanberis, to pick up some kit for the ski tour and drop in on Matt (for another cuppa). It was good to see Snowdon summit from the High Street and know that we’d just been up there!