Читать книгу Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia. 40 classic routes exploring Snowdonia онлайн

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The Pyg Track, contrary to a once-popular belief that it took its name from the initials of the nearby Pen y Gwryd Hotel, the haunt of Everest mountaineers in the 1950s, is actually named from the high-level pass, Bwlch y Moch, the Pass of the Pigs, immediately below the steep ascent to Crib Goch.

The track gains height in a series of stepped sections that lie to the north of the long ridge leading to an unnamed summit (perhaps we could be daring and call it Pen Bwlch y Moch, The Peak of the Pass of the Pigs, albeit with no justification).

ROUTE INFORMATION

Distance11½km/7 milesHeight gain840m/2755ftTime4–5 hoursGradestrenuousStart pointPen y Pass SH647555Getting therePen y Pass car park, but note that this fills up early. Consider making use of the hourly Snowdon Sherpa shuttle bus from Llanberis or Nant Peris.Maps(Harvey Superwalker) Snowdonia and the Moelwynion; (Ordnance Survey) OL17 Snowdon/Yr WyddfaAfter-walk refreshmentPen y Pass; Pen y Gwryd; Nant Peris; Llanberis

At Bwlch y Moch the path forks. Go left, descending for a short while, to continue along the Pyg Track, and so begin a superb traverse of Crib Goch’s lower slopes, yet sufficiently elevated to have a fine view of Llyn Llydaw and the towering vertical cliffs of Y Lliwedd, which were among the first crags in Wales to be explored by rock climbers. This traverse is to be appreciated; there is nothing quite like it in Wales, and every opportunity should be taken to embrace the scenery. When Snowdon bursts into view, hopefully it will be with a clarity that draws you on.