Mountain Scrambling, Tryfan and Bristly Ridge

Route: Tryfan North Ridge, Tryfan South Ridge, Bristly Ridge, Y Gribin Ridge

Meet at: Tryfan car park on the A5 just West of Tryfan and Milestone Buttress and on the same side of the road. OS map reference SH663603. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield, Manchester and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time. Please also see section on parking below.

This one needs no introduction. The classic Cwm Bochlwyd Horseshoe, undoubtedly the most popular mountain scrambling outing in the UK and justifiably so. The route throws up two 900+ metre summits, four ridges and more scrambling than you can shake a stick at. Taking in the iconic shark fin profile of Tryfan and the spectacular jagged pinnacles of Bristly Ridge as well as many other interesting rock features, this is the most enjoyable day of easy ridge scrambling to be had anywhere south of Torridon.

The full day will include a delightfully short walk in from the car park, a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Tryfan via the North Ridge, a Grade 1 scrambling descent of the South Ridge to the col at Bwlch Tryfan before a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge followed by a visit to the gravity defying Cantilever Stone and further interesting scrambling to the mountain’s main summit and the dramatic outcrop of Castell Y Gwynt then a Grade 1 scrambling descent of Y Gribin Ridge to take us back to the car park.

Photos from our previous outings to Tryfan and Bristly Ridge can be seen here:

https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/35266780/

Difficulty: Grade 1 scrambling with a couple of moves on Bristly Ridge at the top end of that grade. Suitable for adventurous beginners. For more information on scrambling grades see:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades

Experience Required: Some previous scrambling or mountain walking experience is strongly recommended.

Duration: Approx. 8 km with height gain of approx. 900 metres, mostly scrambling! Estimated time 6 hours.

Ordnance Survey Map: OS 115 Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa 1:50,000 scale.

Guidebook: Scrambles in Snowdonia 2017 edition published by Cicerone Press.

Parking: Demand outweighs supply in the Ogwen Valley these days. The car park where we are meeting and all other parking places in the area all full up very quickly. We therefore highly recommend getting there as early as possible, ideally the night before. There are two campsites within walking distance of the meeting place (details below). Another option is to park up and sleep in your vehicle-there are very decent public toilets at Idwal Cottage. The aforementioned campsites are:

Gwern Gof Isaf https://gwerngofisaf.co.uk

Gwern Gof Uchaf https://www.tryfanwales.co.uk

I plan on staying at Isaf on the Friday and Saturday nights.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.