Phew. Feeling a bit tired now after a full day of North Wales mountain appreciation. When the alarm went off, I almost rolled over and went back to sleep, but knowing that this could be the last chance I get to climb a winter gully this season, I pulled myself out of bed and got going. On the walk up Y Garn, half an hour later, it was already worth it as the colours began to fill the horizon.

I’ve climbed Banana Gully almost every year since we moved here and although most of the snow has now gone, I’d seen the other day that the line of Banana Gully was complete. A frosty morning meant that it should be nice and hard first thing while it remains frozen. There was a line of big footprints, but I was able to front point up the fresh snow to the side!

I was almost at the top of the climb, when the sun crested the horizon.

The sunlight on my face was lovely and the snow glowed pink. Absolutely brilliant!

The final cornice was rock hard and although it had slumped yesterday, it was held firm in the cool of the morning.

The summit view from the top of Banana Gully – note the snow hanging on to the hillside – just…

I walked up and over the summit of Y Garn, then decided to descend ‘A Gully’ which is not quite as steep, but still complete all the way back to the cwm.

I had to face in to begin with, then as the steep part was passed, I could move a bit faster.

Banana Gully on the right of the peak, and A Gully is the line to the left.

I was back home at 10:40, and by the time I’d had a shower and a coffee, Clare had finished her coaching call. I made a change of boots and kit, then Clare and I headed off to Moel Elio, above Llanberis.

The wind was bitingly cold, but the views were fantastic. Far out to sea, some big clouds were forming, but we had full blue sky above us.

Moel Elio summit cairn.

We could see almost every peak in the National Park…

And all across Anglesey…

It still looked pretty wintery up on Snowdon…

In the wind we had to stay well wrapped up. Got back to The Cottage Cafe around 16:30 for a pancake feast and a second shower of the day! Time to get the fire lit now and have a relaxing evening!

Y Garn Winter Climbs:

• Banana Gully, I**
• A Gully, I*