Walk in the snow

It had been icy and snowy for days! I had made it to work on bike on Wednesday, but with difficulty. And on the Thursday I hitched a ride with Susan. And on Friday I worked from home. I wasn't keen on the slippery roads and paths. But all that snow and ice did mean that the mountains looked absolutely stunning. And I want to enjoy that! So I figured I should take the opportunity over the weekend seek out the snow. And I went for the Sunday, because on Saturday I first wanted to visit a shop that wouldn't be open on Sunday, and I was going to have a cup of tea with Charlotte. So the mountains would have to wait!

On Sunday I made packed lunch, and got my bag ready. I didn't expect to need them, but just to be on the safe side I did pack my crampons in the bottom of the bag. And I took my walking pole with me. And then I set off. I decided to bike to near where Charlotte lives, and then walk the rest. I always like being able to do the last kilometre or so in the village rapidly and effortlessly!

The snow had already retreated a bit of the hill. But after too much time I was in it anyway. And I seemed to be the only one! There was no one else in sight.

Sheep on melting snow

Snowy selfie

I had already been hungry when I set off, but I wanted to sit down for coffee and cake at a beautiful place. So I walked for a fair bit before I stopped. I chose Gyrn Wigau; it's a rocky outcrop on an otherwise very smooth and vegetated slope. The views were great! And I had my coffee and cake.

On Gyrn Wigau, looking away from town

Looking back toward town

Suddenly I jumped a bit. I heard heavy breathing! And then a runner appeared. It turned out that I knew him; he runs Thursday Night Hill sessions. He was doing a nice loop with a mate.

I figured I needed to put on my sunglasses because that sun was getting higher and the snow thicker. But when I tried to do that, I noticed the leg of my sunglasses had fallen off. And I didn't manage to put it back. And that meant I didn't really want to linger too long in the snow. A pity! The hills don't look like this very often.

Given that the sun still wasn't particularly high I did go on for a bit. I didn't think I was going to be snow blind too soon. I went to the path underneath the summit of y Drosgl, and even a bit beyond that. But then I turned around.

I also decided to not retrace my steps; I figured I could find my own way off the ridge into the valley, and walk back that way. That would avoid some slippery bits on the steep part of the ridge, and get me too low altitude, with less snow, a bit quicker. Nicer on the eyes! So that's what I did. And by now more people were enjoying the hill; I bumped into some six people before I left the path.

Given I wasn't on a path, and the wind seemed to have gathered the snow in places, I sank into it a bit deeper than I hoped quite a few times. I did get snow in my socks as I wasn't wearing gaiters. But I also wasn't far from home! So it was fine.

Where I reached the path I bumped into Huw, who also attends all the sustainability events in the area. I bump into him a lot! But from there I didn't meet anyone anymore. I did sit down for lunch before I got back. I like mountains as the backdrop for my meals!

Back down in the valley 

When I got home I immediately fixed my sunglasses. It had been a beautiful walk, but next time I want to have these with me again, in working order!