Snowdon - Rangers Path

Picture	Details
	The Rangers Path runs from the ranger station next to Llyn Cwellyn to the summit of Snowdon. The first time (Saturday June 4th 2005) I climbed up alone, but I didn't come down alone. The clouds were at around 600 metres so the top of the mountain was wrapped in clouds resulting in "white-out" conditions. I met a group of men on the way down who had accidentally followed the wrong path, which is pretty easily done in those condition. I drove them back to their cars in Llanberis. The second time (Wednesday June 22nd 2005) I climbed up with a friend. This time the summit was above the clouds, a bit like flying in a plane. I got a few pictures through gaps in the clouds. The third expedition (Wednesday May 3rd 2006) I climbed with a large group of friends. Visibility was the best so far and it didn't rain on us which was a blessing. It was difficult to hold the camera steady as it was rather blustery. The fourth expedition (Dec 26th - Dec 27th 2007) involved an overnight stay by llyn ffynnon y gwas. It was wet, cold and overnight the wind was gale force.
	In May 2005 I climbed Snowdon by the Rangers path for the first time. I started from the car park opposite the rangers station next to Llyn Cwellyn and started walking up the side of a valley over the railway line.
	As I climbed the side of the valley I looked back (west) and saw the Welsh Highland Railway in front of the trees where I parked my car.
	From further up the valley side I looked along llyn Cwellyn (north) and I saw the rocky outcropping known as Mynydd Mawr. Looking closely at the picture the summit is hidden in the clouds putting the cloud height at around 700 metres.
	Looking south is Llyn y Gader.
	On a later expedition (May 2006) I looked back from to high up the side of the valley back to Llyn Cwellyn. The car park is in the wooded area beside the lake behind the station and the white rangers youth hostel.
	Walking towards Snowdon I could see the summit was concealed in the clouds (June 2005).
	On one expedition we had a bird watcher with us and he pointed out numerous birds. We also spotted what appeared to be several apatchi helicopters (May 2006).
	The path zig-zagged up the side of Clogwyn Dur Arddu into the clouds (June 2005).
	From Clogwyn Dur Arddu I looked down and saw llyn ffynnon y gwas. I looked up and all I could see was clouds (June 2005). We camped next to llyn ffynnon y gwas in December 2007.
	Part way up the ridge there is a viewing point. In the distance I could just see Llanberis (May 2006).
	It is difficult following a path in whiteout conditions, but when I saw the tracks for the mountain railway train I knew I was nearly at the summit (June 2005).
	The ridge narrows as it nears the summit. I looked back the way I came. To the left of the railway there is a steep slope and on the right of the path is an almost vertical drop. Some of the other ridges are much narrower (May 2006).
	Despite the weather conditions there were lots of people at the summit. There was an event called the Welsh 1000 taking place between Llanberis and the summit (June 2005).
	I took this picture from the summit of Snowdon. At the left of the picture is Llyn Cwellyn where the rangers path starts from (June 2005).
	On the way down we could see why we hadn't seen any trains on the Snowdon mountain railway at the summit. The track had been dug up (May 2006).
	I noticed that each time anyone sat down sea gulls arrived shortly after. I guess they were looking for something to eat. It reminded me of the Hitchcock film "The Birds" (May 2006).
	By the time we had walked more than half way back the summit was clear of the clouds (May 2006).
	As I neared the car park I saw one of the Welsh Highland Railway steam trains going past the Snowdon Ranger Station (June 2005).