Tryfan

Tryfan
Highest point
Elevation 917.5 m (3,010 ft) [1]
Prominence 191 m (627 ft)
Parent peak Glyder Fawr
Listing Marilyn Hewitt, Welsh 3000, Nuttall
Naming
Translation three peaks / tops [2] (Welsh)
Geography
Location Conwy, Wales
Parent range Snowdonia
OS grid SH664593
Topo map OS Landranger 115 / Explorer OL17

Tryfan (/ˈtrʌvæn/) is a mountain in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, Wales. It forms part of the Glyderau group, and is one of the most famous and recognisable peaks in Britain, having a classic pointed shape with rugged crags. At 917.5 metres (3,010 feet) above sea level it is the fifteenth-highest mountain in Wales. The name "Tryfan" is derived from its historical Welsh name of "Tri-faen". "Tri" meaning three and "faen" meaning rocks which makes reference to the 3 rocky humps seen on the mountain's summit.[3] Tryfan was voted Britain’s favourite mountain by Trail magazine.[4]

Between the mid-1980s and June 2010, its accepted height was 915 metres (3,002 ft). However, it was resurveyed using accurate GPS measurements and found to be 2.4 metres (eight feet) higher.[1] Until the 1980s, Ordnance Survey maps gave its height as 917.5 m (3,010 ft), and so the new measurement confirms that the earlier survey was correct.

Tryfan is said to be the final resting-place of Sir Bedivere (Bedwyr) of Arthurian legend.[5]

Routes of ascent

There are many routes of ascent, ranging from easy ridge scrambling, to long mountaineering rock climbs on the east face.

Jumping from Adam to Eve at the summit of Tryfan

A popular ascent route is its north ridge, which starts close to the A5 road, about 1.5 km east of Idwal Cottage (a youth hostel) or Ogwen Cottage (an outdoor pursuits centre). From here a route leads directly up the ridge, a Grade 1 scramble by the easiest line. The difficulty can be increased considerably if the most direct line is followed throughout; particularly in the upper sections of the ridge. About a third of the way up there is a distinctive rock known as "The Cannon" which points upwards at 45 degrees and is visible from the valley. The North Tower is located three quarters of the way up, which can be avoided to the right or climbed directly at a difficulty of Grade 2[6].

Tryfan may also be climbed by the south ridge, which links the mountain (via Bristly Ridge) to Glyder Fach. The route begins at Bwlch Tryfan, the col between Tryfan and Bristly Ridge. The col is reached by a path leading up from Idwal Cottage to the west, passing through Cwm Bochlwyd. This cwm contains Llyn Bochlwyd.

Tryfan seen from Ogwen Cottage on the A5 road

The summit of Tryfan is famous for the twin monoliths of Adam and Eve (Siôn a Siân in Welsh), a pair of rocks some three metres high and separated by 1.2 metres. The rocks are visible from the Ogwen valley. Those who tackle the "step" between the two rocks are said to gain the "Freedom of Tryfan".[7][8] However, the exposure on one side is quite great, and mountain writer Frank Showell Styles said: "In calm dry weather it is not too hard a step but the penalties of failure are unpleasant in the extreme."[7]

Two prominent pillar-like boulders are visible on the skyline midway through the approach to the summit via the South ridge. As these can be mistaken for Adam and Eve from a distance, they have become known as Cain and Abel, continuing the biblical theme.

Milestone Buttress

Milestone Buttress at the base of Tryfan is a popular location for climbing. The Buttress is about 10 minutes' walk from roadside laybys. The most popular route is known as the direct route: there are often queues of people waiting to climb it. It is 75 metres (246 ft) long, and graded Very Difficult. The route was first climbed by G. Barlow and H. Priestly-Smith in 1910.

There is also a popular Grade 3 scramble incorporating the Milestone Buttress. This route is commonly used as an alternative approach to the North Ridge, as is the nearby slabby wedge of Tryfan Bach, on the other side of the mountain.

Milestone Buttress, eastern side. The direct route is highlighted.
Tryfan and neighbouring parts of the Glyderau are home to feral goats .

References

  1. 1 2 "Survey adds 8ft to Tryfan mountain's height". BBC News. June 24, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  2. ↑ Terry Batt (1994). Place-names in the 3000ft Mountains of Wales. Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. ISBN 978-0-86381-282-8.
  3. ↑ "Tryfan". National Trust. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  4. ↑ "Tryfan". Guardian. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  5. ↑ Topham, Simon. "Llyn Ogwen". Mysterious Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Tryfan North Ridge Scramble". UK Scrambles. UK Scrambles. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  7. 1 2 Goodwin, Stephen. "Leap before you look". The Independent. Retrieved 2017-02-10.
  8. ↑ Walking in Britain. Lonely Planet. 2007. p. 317. ISBN 174104202X.

Bibliography

  • Williams, Paul (1990). Rock climbing in Snowdonia. Constable. ISBN 0-09-468410-3.
  • Ashton, Steve (1992). Scrambles in Snowdonia. Cicerone. ISBN 1-85284-088-9.

Coordinates: 53°06′54″N 3°59′51″W / 53.11494°N 3.99753°W / 53.11494; -3.99753

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