This route climbs the ghyll next to the North Ridge Gully Route. It is in no guidebook and sees hardly any traffic. As with any ghyll expect slimy, mossy holds and suspect rock in places. The ascent described here was in Summer; the route will be a very different proposition in Winter or after heavy rain.
The route can be used as an approach to Crib Goch North Ridge, or better to get to Clogwyn y Person Arete.
Begin at the Blaen y Nant campsite in the Llanberis Pass. Take the path that heads to Cwm Glas Mawr. At a fork in the stream leave the path and follow the left branch. This offers some easy grade 1 scrambling and boulder-hopping if you are so inclined.
Follow the stream to below the steep and wet Craig y Rhaeadr ("Waterfall Crag"). Here the stream issues from a gully on the left. The North Ridge Gully route scales the rock to the right of the stream but this route climbs it direct.
The first major fall that is reached is probably too difficult, and is best avoided to the right. Above this the stream flows through a short level trough. This can be avoided but in the spirit of ghyll scrambling a traverse can be made along the left wall.
Higher up the walls close in and a steep mossy step is ascended. A short way up again is the biggest waterfall yet. Forget it! From the base of the waterfall scramble left to leave the stream. Turn left again and walk down beside the ravine until you can about turn and scramble back up to above the fall.
Back in the stream there are a few tricky and vegetated steps to overcome. Here there is a vague fork in the ghyll. Take the right-hand branch which is drier than that previously climbed. This section gives delightful, easy scrambling and deposits you on a bouldery area where the gradient relents.
Above this is a few metres of mini-ravine, topped by a small pool. Climb the small step beyond the pool to finish the route.
The best plan from here is to head SW to lovely Llyn Glas with it's island of trees. From here the Clogwyn y Person Arete makes a worthy challenge, or a path can be followed back to the Llanberis Pass.
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