Welcome to the Blog

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Welsh Winter Skills course at Plas y Brenin, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. From the moment I arrived on Friday, I knew I was in for something special. Heading towards Capel Curig, the snow-dusted peaks of Snowdonia in the distance, were absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t wait to get out into the mountains.

Friday Evening: Arrival and First Impressions

I arrived at Plas y Brenin with plenty of time to settle in, so I took the opportunity to explore the area around the centre. A short walk along the shore of Llynnau Mymbyr offered breathtaking views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and the surrounding peaks, perfectly framed by the crisp winter air.

The centre itself had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. After ordering a hearty meal from the servery and enjoying a couple of well-deserved beers in the bar (in the light, this is the best view in Snowdon), I started meeting the other attendees. It was a diverse group of people, all with different levels of experience, but we bonded quickly over our shared excitement for the weekend ahead.

My room was clean, warm, and very comfortable - exactly what I needed to recharge for the busy days ahead.

Day 1: Exploring Y Garn in (Unexpectedly) Perfect Winter Conditions

After a full English breakfast, we met our instructor, James, who kicked off the course with a classroom session. He introduced us to the kit we’d be using, including crampons, ice axes, and winter clothing, and gave us tips on how to pack effectively for a day in the mountains.

We then considered our route for the day, looking at OS maps and mountain weather forecasts, and discussed how to prepare for the perfect winter conditions awaiting us. After a quick visit to the stores to pick up mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes and any extra gear we needed, we hopped into the minibus and headed to Ogwen Valley.

Our target was Y Garn via the North East Ridge. The climb was absolutely breathtaking. With knee-deep snow, blue skies, and expansive views towards Ynys Môn (Anglesey), it felt like we were walking through the Alps. James took the time to teach us essential skills, like:

• Walking safely in crampons
• Using an ice axe for stability and learning how to self-arrest
• Assessing terrain for risks

We stopped to enjoy our packed lunches on the ridge, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Glyders. The group dynamics were fantastic - we all helped and encouraged each other, and it felt great to be part of such a supportive team.

The descent took us through Cwm Cywion, and we returned to Plas y Brenin after nearly 9km and 700m of elevation gain. Back at the centre, we had an engaging classroom session on avalanche awareness, where James walked us through case studies, videos, and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service. It was fascinating to learn how to assess avalanche risks and plan safer routes in winter conditions.

Dinner that evening was delicious and much-needed (double portion of Hunters chicken for me), our group all enjoyed a beer in the bar and I am certain that we all went to bed feeling both exhausted and exhilarated.

Day 2: A More Realistic Welsh Winter Day - Scrambling Up Moel Siabod’s Daear Ddu Ridge

Sunday started with another hearty breakfast - I loaded up on calories to fuel my tired muscles. Our morning classroom session focused on navigation in winter conditions, including reading maps, interpreting weather reports, and walking on a bearing.

With visibility lower than the day before and stronger winds forecast, we knew we had to be flexible with the route, but were all keen to attempt a more technical day with a scramble up Moel Siabod via the Daear Ddu Ridge if the conditions allowed it. This route offered a mix of technical terrain and the chance to fully utilise our crampons and ice axes.

We began by walking from Plas y Brenin to Pont Cyfyng, then made our way to the abandoned quarry buildings - a picturesque spot where we sheltered from the wind for a quick snack. The climb around Llyn y Foel was atmospheric, with fog creating an otherworldly backdrop, however no view of the lake! 

The scramble up the Daear Ddu Ridge was the highlight of my weekend. It was exhilarating to use my ice axe and crampons on steeper terrain, and as a climber, I loved moving to the front of the group to take on the trickier sections. James was fantastic, offering tips and encouragement throughout, and it felt empowering to lead parts of the climb.

Reaching the summit of Moel Siabod was a proud moment. Though the wind was relentless, we celebrated our achievement and hid in the shelter for a final quick snack before descending via a more straightforward route to Plas y Brenin! Poor visibility gave us the chance to practice walking on a bearing, which was a valuable skill to refine. In total, we covered just over 14.5km with 900m of elevation - an incredible achievement for the day.

Final Reflections

Back at Plas y Brenin, we rounded off the weekend with a cup of tea in the bar and shared photos and memories from the past two days. 

This course challenged me both physically and mentally, but the rewards were immense. I now feel confident in snowy conditions, equipped with the skills to stay safe and enjoy the experience. The weekend left me empowered to explore high-ground environments, and everyone was eager to continue learning, discussing future adventures like a Winter Scrambling Course or challenging winter mountaineering in Scotland. We all left knowing we'd stay in touch and reconnect when the snow falls.

The Welsh Winter Skills course taught me so much:

• How to safely navigate winter terrain with an ice axe and crampons
• How to assess avalanche risks and read winter weather reports
• The importance of teamwork and decision-making in the mountains

A huge thanks to James and the team at Plas y Brenin for their expertise and support throughout the weekend. If you’re considering your first steps into the world of winter mountaineering, I can’t recommend this course enough!