Tryfan – 2Ps scale the heights

Everyone knows Tryfan don’t they. Ask anyone who has experience of the hills and mountains of Wales has either climbed it or have it on their list to climb. And yes, there is some climbing to do. It may not be very high, but it is more of a challenge than many of the higher peaks in Wales. The name Tryfan is derived from Tri Faen – Three Rocks. Referring to the three humps on the ridge of this iconic mountain. With the sunshining and Cader Idris already ticked of our summit list for the week, the 2 Pauls hit the rocks.

Tryfan soars over the Ogwen valley, and forms part of the Gyderau, Glydyr Fact and Glydyr Fawr, though both are taller than Tryfan itself. At 3010 feet (or for the more modern – 917 meters) above sea level, it is the 15th highest peak in Wales. And what a peak!

The approach is relatively easy from Llyn Ogwen top to Llyn Bochlwyd. Then there is another easy section around the lake before you are confronted with the seemingly impregnable jagged rock field towering above.

The challenge of scrambling over the sharp rocks was worth the effort for the views alone down the Ogwen Valley taking in Llyn Bochlwyd, Llyn Idwal and Llyn Ogwen down towards Angelsey in the distance.

At the top are two pillars named Adam and Eve. The tradition is to jump from one to the other. After the fight through the boulder fields and the climb to the top either of us fancied this at all. I did try to persuade Paul S – ‘Man of Action’ to attempt it, but he wasn’t having anything of it.

It took up 4 hours to go up and down. The map said we had only covered 3.8 miles, but that didn’t take into account the grunt needed for a couple of middle aged men to get tot eh top. It seemed so much harder and more difficult than it was 17 years ago the last time I climbed to the top. Maybe I’ll leave Everest for a few more years!