---
url: 'https://dri.es/scrambling-in-snowdonia'
title: 'Scrambling in Snowdonia'
author:
  name: 'Dries Buytaert'
  url: 'https://dri.es/about'
date: '2019-06-25T03:59:51-04:00'
license: 'https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'
type: blog
summary: 'A multi-day Tryfan trip mixed steep scrambling, a surprise steak dinner, sheep, and sweeping Ogwen Valley hikes.'
tags:
  - Photography
  - Travel
  - 'United Kingdom'
image: hiking-in-wales-2019/camping-on-tryfan
published: true
featured: true
id: 4881
---

# Scrambling in Snowdonia

At the end of last week, Klaas (one of my best friends) and I drove from Belgium to Wales dead-set on *scrambling* up [Tryfan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryfan)'s North Ridge and hiking the [Ogwen Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyffryn_Ogwen) in [Snowdonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdonia).

Scrambling means hiking up steep, rocky terrain using your hands, without the need for ropes or any other kind of protection. It's something between hiking and rock climbing.

[image hiking-in-wales-2019/tryfan-north-ridge]

17 people died on Tryfan the past 30 years, and 516 parties had to be rescued. While the scrambling on Tryfan is rarely technically challenging, it can be [dangerous and difficult at times](https://youtu.be/OBGFUEEnqZo) (video of Klaas scrambling), especially when carrying heavy backpacks. Tryfan shouldn't be taken lightly.

It took us five hours to make it to the top – and it's taking me four days to recover so far. After we reached the top, we descended a few hundred meters and found a patch of grass where we could set up our tent.

<div class="large">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/camping-on-tryfan]
</div>

Carrying those heavy backpacks paid off not only because we were able to bring our camping supplies but also because Klaas carried up a steak dinner with cocktails – a late birthday surprise for [my 40th birthday](https://dri.es/forty). Yes, you read that correctly: a steak dinner with cocktails on top of a mountain! It was a real treat!

<div class="side-by-side">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/birthday-dinner-on-tryfan-ridge-1]
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/birthday-dinner-on-tryfan-ridge-2]
</div>

During dinner, the weather started to turn; dark clouds came in and it started to rain. By night time the temperature had dropped to 2 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, we were prepared and had hauled not only a tent and a steak dinner up the mountain, but also warm clothing.

<div class="large">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/klaas-getting-cold-on-tryfan]
</div>

What didn't go so well was that my brand new sleeping pad had a leak and I didn't bring a repair kit. Although, sleeping on the ground wasn't so bad. The next morning, when we opened our tent, we were greeted not only by an amazing view, but also by friendly sheep.

<div class="side-by-side">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/the-morning-after-tryfan-1]
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/the-morning-after-tryfan-2]
</div>

The next two days, we hiked through the Ogwen Valley. Its wide glacial valley is surrounded by soaring mountains and is incredibly beautiful.

<div class="large">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/hiking-ogwen-valley-in-snowdonia-1]
</div>

<div class="side-by-side">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/hiking-ogwen-valley-in-snowdonia-3]
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/resting-up-after-scrambling-tryfan-1]
</div>

<div class="large">
  [image hiking-in-wales-2019/hiking-ogwen-valley-in-snowdonia-2]
</div>

After three days of hiking we made it back to the base of Tryfan where it all started. We felt a big sense of accomplishment.

[image hiking-in-wales-2019/selfie-at-the-end-of-our-trip]

We hadn't taken a shower in four days, so we definitely started to become aware of each other's smell. As soon as we got to Klaas' [Volkswagen California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_California) (campervan), we showered in the parking lot, behind the car. I ended up washing my armpits four times, once for each day I didn't shower.

[image hiking-in-wales-2019/first-shower-after-four-days]

For more photos, check out [my photo album](https://dri.es/album/hiking-in-wales-2019/).
