Devils Kitchen

No not a reality cooking program with a swearing cosmetically enhanced presenter but a sweating, cursing short of breath Pieman walking up a mountain, nearly . Mr & Mrs Pieman had a quick two day break into Snowdonia for some walking to clear the cobwebs away.

Starting at the Ogwen Valley car park we made our round Cwm Idwal with the intention of climbing Glyder Fawr (3,284 ft). This meant climbing up Devils Kitchen a steep and rocky route. At the top of which before we entered the clouds the view was stunning and well worth the huffing and puffing. 

After a short plateau it began to rise up quite steeply and it was at this point we encountered snow, ice and low visibility . Eventually, probably no more then 4-500ft from the summit, we turned back. Going up was not too bad but the return trip retracing our steps was not easy so we were glad we made the right decision.

We made our way back to the top of the Devils Kitchen and enjoyed the view with our lunch before heading back to Ogwen. As we walked back into the car park with the cold beginning to bite Mrs Piemans boots literally fell apart the snow was too much for them!! 

So then it was a mad dash via Capel Curig to get to the Y Warws  (Warehouse) in Beddgelert to purchase some new boots. It also gave us the opportunity to complain to the lady at customer services about Mrs Pieman boots which were purchased from this same emporium no more than 25 years previously!!!

From here it was short hop to our overnight stop in Rhyd-ddu. Al rooms at the Cwellyn Arms were taken so we stayed in one of their small but very cosy well equipped cottage just down the road. A reserved spot by the log fire was waiting for us when we returned to the Cwellyn Arms for a fabulous meal and some well needed libations (oh yes Leffe Blonde on draught).