Crib Goch

The hills and mountains of Wales provide a constant source of delight to both the dedicated and the casual hilll walker. Whilst hills can always be dangerous and it is important to take all the usual precautions when walking in Wales, it is still true to say that you are seldom more than 4 miles from the nearest road and normally not more than 5 or 6 miles from the nearest pub.

By far the most invaluable guide to Welsh hill walking is the volume in the Cicerone Guides series by John and Anne Nuttall (full details at the bottom of this page). The following paragraphs appear on the back Cover:-

"There are over 400 mountain summits in England and Wales which reach the height of 2,000 feet and it is the ambition of many walkers to climb them all. This book describes how to ascend the 181 mountain summits of Wales, all in a series of forty-nine walks."

It was always my ambition, when I lived in Wales to complete this series of walks. Regrettably I only succeeded in covering about 40% of them before I emigrated but I hope to do more on future vacations. The directions in the "Nuttall" guide are always excellent but it is still important to take a map for more detailed route finding. The weather in Wales is very changeable and visibility is not always all that it might be. Having said that, the hills and mountains of Wales should not prove dangerous to the well prepared and moderately experienced hiker. There is only one summit which cannot be reached without recourse to scrambling. The Crib Goch arete is a special case. It should not be attempted by anyone who has a fear of heights. It is a very dangerous place and deaths are not uncommon. If you do decide to tackle it make sure that the weather conditions and visibility are perfect and likely to remain so throughout the course of your traverse. I did this route on a spectacularly beautiful day in July with near perfect visibility. Nevertheless I experienced fear of a kind and intensity that was quite new to me and I was extremely relieved to get off there alive. 

Here are some photographs of Crib Goch and here is the Wikipedia entry. The John and Anne Nuttall guide can be found here.