Carnedd y Filiast

Having spent the first ten years of their respective climbing careers in Ogwen, you would have thought that Terry and Bernie would have already climbed everything they could.

However, believe it or not, there was a 600ft Very Difficult that neither of us had done. This was Left Edge on the massive, extensive slabs of Carnedd y Filiast on the Nant Ffrancton pass through Ogwen. So, with the Alps trip approaching, we opted for a ‘mini-alpine’ day. You can see from the picture that its a largely untrodden path up from Tai-newyddion farm, a one hour slog.

The slabs are easy angled and rough, seldom climbed upon. They appear vegetated but there is plenty of good, clean rock in between.

I did the first pitch, then it started to rain. Not a nice place to be in the rain – the climbing becomes much harder (in the dry you can step anywhere) and escape would have to be across wet vegetation. We waited a bit, it stopped and the sun came out. The rock dried before our eyes and Bernie came up.

Fantastic views of Tryfan and Glyder Fach, together with the occasional jet fighter passing below through the Ogwen Valley.

So it goes on, five nice long slabby pitches.

Looking across, you can see ‘The Waved Slab’, a 400ft Moderate – with no stances!

Terry looks happier than usual on top.

Then, the inevitable tea and scones at ‘Veronicas’ tea room in Betws-y-Coed. Check it out – its as cheap as Shepherd’s Caff.