The North Ridge is a classic due to its closeness to the road as well as its impressive steep immediate rise towards the clouds,” says Andy Jones, a mountain instructor with Seren Ventures and a member of the Ogwen Valley mountain rescue team. “It just screams out ‘climb me’”. For accommodation, YHA Idwal Cottage is an excellent eco-friendly hostel with dorms, private rooms, a hut and camping at the western end of Llyn Ogwen. To the east, Gwern Gof Isaf offers camping, a bunkhouse and other accommodation. This area also provides access to the Carneddau range to the north. Despite being better known for its trad routes, Tryfan’s bouldering is very much focused around the boulders that lie at the foot of the Milestone Buttress, although there are also quality problems to be found further up the mountain side. the terrace, but take care not to turn off too soon (it is very easy to do!) If you do you will run into difficulties and will need to cut down further The ridge down Y Gribin is a scramble but may offer a more enjoyable route off Glyder Fawr. The descent to Llyn Cwn and the Devils Kitchen is initially slippy on loose shale. Later descending the Devil’s Kitchen is hard on tired legs but quite rapid. Navigation Tips on Tryfan and the Glyders

Whilst you may think going down is easier than climbing up a mountain, in reality it can be just as challenging. Sitting alongside Tryfan is a miniature version of the main mountain itself, known appropriately as Tryfan Bach, which literally means Little Tryfan. It’s a well know feature of the valley, located just a short walk up the hill from Gwern Gof Uchaf Farm (where there is parking and camping). The majority of the routes can be found on its expansive slabby West Slab, where lines from Moderate to Severe can be found. It’s a great venue for beginners or those looking for an easy day, the only thing preventing it from being perfect is the fact that the routes are all at least two pitches long, making it less than ideal for groups. Tryfan may also be climbed by the south ridge, which links the mountain (via Bristly Ridge) to Glyder Fach. The route begins at Bwlch Tryfan, the col between Tryfan and Bristly Ridge. The col is reached by a path leading up from Idwal Cottage to the west, passing through Cwm Bochlwyd. This cwm contains Llyn Bochlwyd.

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He warns, however, that attempting to circumnavigate the Tower is a mistake. “Often people won’t like the look of the North Tower and will try to go around it. This may result in them either heading along the eastern traverse - also know as the ‘climbers’ traverse’ - and ending up in more serious ground like North Gully.

Follow an obvious path uphill beside a stone wall, keeping L of the steep Milestone Buttress. Ascend a bouldery shelf beneath steeper ground to reach a shoulder. Many lines are possible on the lower, broader section of the North Ridge.

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In the event of serious injury, or certainly if there are children involved, we will request the assistance of the helicopter, but generally we don’t need them.” The South Ridge continues straight from the North Ridge approach at the summit and takes you around and down via a small lake called Llyn Bochlwyd. I didn’t take this route so I can’t comment on how hard it is! Tryfan Summit Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team are responsible for rescues on the mountain and risk life and limb to rescue people from this and nearby mountains. Don’t become another of their statistics, so here are a few tips before you set off. Simple tips for safely ascending Tryfan I hardly spoke to anybody during that whole month. I did not even know the names of the routes I took because I had no guidebooks or maps during the whole month. Recommended Tryfan Maps: OS Explorer OL17 Snowdon & Conwy Valley, Snowdonia BMC (British Mountain Map), Snowdonia North XT25, Landranger 115 Snowdon & Caernarfon