Well, I thought I would put a post up for anyone thinking of coming to Snowdonia this weekend to enjoy the snow and ice conditions. I have to say that it has been very alpine recently and the conditions are fantastic. However you really can’t leave the car park without an Ice Axe and Crampons, as well as an idea of how to use them.
If you want to climb a route that is any good an alpine start will be essential as there were hundreds of people out today in Cwm Idwal, and I expect even more all over Snowdonia this weekend. I spent most of today queuing, which is very British, with teams who arrived late being about 8th or 9th in line for a route.
My advice is to have a few i back up ideas up your sleeves, and worst case scenario just go for a walk. On Snowdon there has been an awful lot of snow, to the extent that you might need your wits about you with regards avalanches, I heard reports of someone setting off a small windslab avalanche this week, so be careful on the (S to SW) lee slopes (wind seems to have been N to NE this week) and shelter gullies.
We don’t have a dedicated avalanche information service, so I would be cautious, as whilst you might have driven all the way up from London or further to do that classic gully. You won’t half feel a twat dead at the bottom of it!
Above all, get out there and have a great time, the Winter conditions are great at the moment.