Tryfan & The Glyders Solo Scramble

Rewind the clocks by one week and I hadn’t even scrambled before, nor really understood what it involved. I was then taken away and experienced my first bit of scrambling with my partner and their dog. I was absolutely hooked, so I decided to go on my own scrambling adventure.

The Morning Before

I was anxious, nervous, and unsure if this was a great idea, but the weather looked good and I was keen to try more scrambling. I packed up my van and ensured I had all my camping equipment, clothes, and food (not that I would need too much). Once packed, I decided to wait until my new approach shoes and book arrived which I would be relying on. So, I decided to wait until around 2 pm to leave, giving plenty of time for my parcels to arrive. While waiting I sat with my kitties as they were about to be on their own for a few days with just friends popping in to make sure they were okay.

It’s Go Time

2 pm arrives, no book, but we have the shoes. So I set off for Ogwen Valley. I decided I would do Tryfan North Ridge again as this was the scramble I was taken on the week before, so it felt like a good idea to do something I was already familiar with first. The only difference was that I would add Bristly Ridge. This scramble takes you up the top of Glyder Fach and I would then walk to Glyder Fawr and head down to Idwal Lake to descend.

Driving to the North is one of my favourite drives, I just switch off turn the music up and enjoy the scenic roads. Although, there almost always are some scary moments every time you drive up there. For me, this time it was a broken-down Greggs van on a blind corner. It certainly wasn’t fun to overtake.

The Perfect Car Park

I headed down the A5 and pulled into the layby car park where a few other vans were also parked. I turned my van around to ensure the bed would be on the lakeside and not the roadside, and parked up in one of the spaces parallel to the lake. The bed now had the most gorgeous view to wake up and go to sleep to, but also it was safer from any vehicles that might have decided to drive into me.

I got dressed in comfortable clothes, got my book out, and decided to read with the view for a little bit to decompress from the drive.

Idwal Lake & F'icken Curry

It was around 7 pm and it was still light. I was absolutely itching to get out for a little walk or run, but after a reminder from my partner about my dodgy shins, running was removed from my brain. I decided I would actually go and complete the Idwal Lake walk that I didn’t get to complete with my lil’ brother. I packed my bag with a Jet Boil, Pot Noodle, and Quorn chicken slices. I had only brought my new approach shoes, so I also put them on, in the hopes that the reviews were true and they would have no break-in period.

The park was quiet, and the sky was darkening which gave Cwm Idwal a moody, but beautiful look. I walked along the path, stopping to take photos as I went enjoying the cooler breeze.

As I approached the end of the lake loop, I found a rock and set up my jet boil to make my dinner of a Pot Noodle F’icken Curry. Basically, a curry Pot Noodle with Quorn chicken slices torn and thrown into it. Banging meal, I might add.

I then sat a while until I decided to head back to my van where I would retire for the night, with cake.

Sadly, what I had learned that night was that my approach shoes definitely did need breaking in and were very uncomfortable. I would now have to wear them for the humongous walk I had planned the next day.

Blisters & Constipation Porridge

I woke up bright and early got myself dressed, washed, and boiled some water for my breakfast coffee and porridge. Little did I know the oats I bought were not milk-free, just gluten-free. Whoops! I am lactose intolerant, so I eat a plant-based diet. But, in this scenario, as I had no other alternative, I just sucked it up. I made the porridge and added some squirty peanut butter and seeds. If anything I was only gonna get some mild constipation.

Breakfast filled, I packed my bag with the peanut butter & jam sandwiches I made the night before and snacks for my journey. There were Thunderstorms & heavy rain forecasted for the afternoon and I had made family arrangements, so I decided to see how far I got rather than trying to do the entire walk in one go.

Help, I’m Stuck in a Hole…

I set off to Tryfan, trying to remember the route, but it wasn’t long until I got completely and utterly lost. I found I was avoiding up and walking around which wasn’t really the aim when you want to get to the top of a mountain. At one point I’d managed to squeeze myself into a tiny gap, only to realise this was not climbable and I would have to downclimb. I decided it was time to get the route up from last time, luckily I had some signal. Map up, I started making headway, still getting lost at times, although it all became obvious when I reached the cannon stone - which with it being empty I, of course, had to climb it.

Getting down was scary though, it's much steeper than it looks.

I finally ascended to the top and was feeling rather proud that I had managed to do this on my own, Another lady also ascended from another side and we both had a little chat. At this point, I could see thick dark clouds in the distance and atop the Glyders. I decided it would be best to descend Tryfan and make the call when I get closer to the start of the Bristly Ridge.

It's Raining Cats & Dogs

As I was close to the start of the ascent for Bristly Ridge the rain started to pour down, huge raindrops soaking the path in sight. As I needed to be back for 2 pm and it was half 10, I made the call to come back the following day to do Bristly. I walked back to my van, descending Tryfan as quickly as I could in the heavy rain. I got absolutely drenched as I left my main raincoat behind and only had my windbreaker. Typical Dani move here.

A few slips to my bum later and I was back at the van, I cleaned off and got changed into comfortable clothes & said goodbye to the mountains for now, as I would be back the next day to conquer the Glyders.

Home Sweet Home.

I spent the evening seeing family, we had a little BBQ and caught up because weirdly, the weather here was beautiful, the sun was shining and it was glorious. I stayed the night in my old bedroom, which is now a playroom and researched the ascent for Bristly Ridge because I was determined that this would be my next scramble.

The Quest to Conquer the Glyders

Fuled & ready, I set back off to Ogwen which is a short drive from my family home, and got myself parked back up at the base of Tryfan, in hindsight, I should have parked at Ogwen Valley Car Park.

I walk over to the path that leads up the south face of Tryfan where some men allow me in front of them because they believe I would be much quicker. Not long after, I stop for a quick bite of those peanut butter & jam sandwiches and they pass once again laughing. I then head back up and get to the start of Bristly Ridge. At this point, I was looking up the Glyders where rain clouds had congregated and it was spitting gently down upon us. Determined, I thought the weather should pass and decided it was go time.

Bristly Ridge, Oh My

At the start and little would you know, the same men were there also doing the exact same Scramble, we helped each other out for the first few sections which seemed simple enough. Until I reached a chimney that I was a little scared of climbing, these guys carried on ascending and I looked upon this chimney trying to figure out how to safely climb it. My confidence was knocked, I was nervous, I was scared.

I started to have doubt thoughts creeping in, What happens if I can’t get up? How will I get back down? Am I officially stuck? Is this actually the right way?

Some people were coming up behind me, which confirmed to me this was the correct way. They asked if I was okay, and I said “Yeah just trying to figure out the best way to climb this section”. The man said “You can watch me if you like” and headed on through showing me how to get up, I let the others in his group follow and then ascended past this section. This man was a mountain leader and he was guiding a 66-year-old up Bristly. I climbed up the section and from here the mountain leader took me under his wing and we all ascended up together, I was so grateful.

At every feature they would wait for me and ensure I was okay, and though I was absolutely panicking at this point due to the weather making all the rock wet and my loss of confidence this little group kept me going until we ascended to the top.

Bristly Ridge, Completed it mate.

Although with some help, I actually did it, I got to the top of Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge, this scramble although only a grade one is not for the faint-hearted. While scrambling up the rain had come in and there was minimal visibility at the top, you could only see a few yards in front of you and not much more. Using my map I headed to the Cantilever Stone and then to the Castell Y Gwynt. I decided from here I would carry on over to Glyder Fawr.

Mysterious Path

When you’re atop the Glyders, it seems the paths are fiction, they appear for a moment and then disappear, so you kind of just have to use your instinct and go in the direction you believe you’re heading in. While approaching Glyder Fawr, the weather starts to break and there are peaks of sunshine and no more rain. It was a lovely change as I could now see the view beneath me. I approached Glyder Fawr and decided to scram some Squashies while taking in the view. I texted my parents and partner to let them know I had ascended and was safe, ready to descend.

The Decent

Holy Sh*t Balls! Was my first thought when I reached the descent, the incline was not what I was expecting and it was all Skree.

Oh F*ck. I mean I am not great at walking down steep descents but I had no choice, I started to walk slowly, cursing with every footstep about how much of a mistake it was to do this mountain. Step by Slow Step I was getting down, I slipped at one point and a small sharp rock impaled my hand, it was tiny but I got even more nervous. Confidence absolutely shattered by this point but I made it to a stile and decided it was about time I had some food. From this point, the path looked steppy and I was a lot closer to Idwal Lake. I got out the Famous PBJ sandwich and reminded myself why I do this, The views are impeccable and the experience itself is incredible.

Bitten enough by midges and moment ruined, I carried on descending. As my anxious, nervous state shifted, I could feel the state of my feet. My toes were fuzzy and I was 5 hours into my hike. At this point, I just want to get back to my van. Although my pace was faster the path felt never ending from this point. I had done the hard bit is what I thought. But no, the ever-longing path to the van is what was the hard part. An hour later I made it to the Ogwen Car Park, where I saw the Mountain Leader and his guide enjoying a coffee, We had a quick catch-up and I thanked him many times for his help on Bristly Ridge.

A quick toilet break and I head to my van.

Goodbye Ogwen, I’ll be back

The last 0.7 miles to my van were the hardest, sore feet, tired legs, and smelly. Although passing this cute sheep helped cheer me up. I finally arrived and instantly stripped off into fresh clean clothes and comfortable shoes. It turns out one of my toes was that squashed it actually bruised. I scrammed more snacks and then decided to get back on the road home to South Wales.

Was it all worth it?

I know from my rather negative tone throughout you're probably all thinking, of course, it was not worth it. It absolutely was. In summary, this solo experience was terrifying at times and can absolutely shatter your confidence, but I came away brimming with joy. I couldn’t believe I had actually done it, many people had said ‘you’re brave’ and I just would laugh. It didn’t seem that brave, but I guess it is after doing it. Hiking & Scrambling can be a scary thing to do alone but I will definitely be doing more solos in the future. It gives you a sense of freedom that you don't get from many other sports and really shows how capable you are.

One thing I would say for sure though, is most certainly have some experience before doing these feats alone and if in doubt use a guide at first, there are many of them out there willing to help.