Sunday 14th Sept, Snowdon Horse by Crib Goch Ridge

On Sunday I took two clients, Colin and Steve, over Crib Goch, a lovely exposed grade 1 scramble on Snowdonia. We set off in near perfect conditions with the remains of an inversion in the valleys. Our plan was to start early and avoid the crowds enjoying the nice weather. There are many lose rocks on the route and avoiding other groups above you is very adviseable.

The ridge crossing was quite and Colin and Steve were able to "enjoy it" without any pressures from other groups. Part way across they were fortunate to see their first brocken spectres in coire below.

No walker will ever forget their first experience of seeing a Spectre. I know a number of people who have yet to see one in many years of walking the hills, but Spectres are surprisingly common if you know the conditions in which they occur and can make your own luck.
Brocken Spectres often appear from mountain ridges when the ridge is clear and the corrie below you is filled with mist, or when the sun suddenly breaks through the mist. Your shadow is cast onto the mist, always around the anti-solar point, exactly opposite the sun. Narrow ridges with deep corries like Crib Goch offer great opportunities on autumn and winter days with bright sunlight and lingering clouds.

After completing the ridge without meeting many others we made our way up to the summit of Snowdon which by now was busy with walkers heading up the main paths. After a quick photo stop we headed down the east ridge towards our next hill, Y Lliwedd. It also has a rocky ridge and we enjoyed some easy scrambles to reach its summit. Our return route brought us down the ridge to join up with the miners track and a easy walk back to the cars.