12-01-10, Cwm Silyn, Snowdonia

We went back to Cwm Silyn today, and wanted to try the route next to Mask of Death (yesterday) which was a nice looking ice route called Bedrock Gully IV,4. However after walking to view the base of the crag, in the 70mph gusts we decided against it. A lot of snow has been blown about all night and probably much of today. Picture of banked up snow behind the wall. There is definitely layers in the snow and most probably some wind slab being formed on North Westerly aspects. So be cautious tomorrow.

11-01-10, Cwm Silyn, Snowdonia - Winter Climbing

After working at the weekend in Southern Snowdonia, I can report that Maesglase Falls IV,4, near Dollgellau is in great condition, 200m of fat ice.

Very cold, a fair amount of the Mawdach Estuary is frozen. Penmeanpool, looked like Antarctica, with massive blocks of ice floating. Snow down to sea level but was definitely thawing out by Sunday.

Today I was out climbing with Kathryn and Dave, we sort out this classic climb - Mask of Death V,5 (5,4,2). The ice accepted screws and axes very well, the first pitch was steep grade V,5 and the second shorter and stepped IV,4. Overall excellent *** route.