As the clouds started to clear, I set off from Ogwen Cottage and up to Bwlch Tryfan to strech the legs. I’ve got a fait bit of hill walking and mountaineering work on the way in November, so wanted to check fitness levels. Happily, my legs seemed happy to oblige…

Mist was clearing from the top of Tryfan, so I decided to journey up the classic ‘Bristly Ridge’ scramble. Not ideal conditions as the rock was still wet and slippery in places but a cautious approach soon had me at the top.

As the cloud blew through….

Up on the glyders plateau, I made my way across the rocks in a full white out of thick fog. The Canterlever stone loomed into view as expected, so I knew I was heading in the right direction still. I tried to navigate from memory rather than using the map and was pleased to still be able to remember the major features and how to get over or around them, including the Castell y Gwent, from where I texted a note to Anuty Jenny.

With Glyder Fach and Fawr (little and large), I continued over to Y Garn as the clouds were lifting higher.

This made for a good circuit and a nice place to stop for a cheese sandwich.

It didn’t take long to descend to Cwm Idwal, where the grasses were a striking autumnal colour – especially with the dark bulk of Tryfan as the back drop.

Just over the 10km loop, 1000m of ascent and all done in 2.5hours. Fitness check complete. Later that evening, the colours from The Cottage were superb. Firstly over the trees….

Then up in the sky!….