UKC

Have done crib goch several times from pen y pass and fancied doing it the other way down from summit for a change. Realise we would be going slightly against usual flow but has anyone else done it and found it OK/more difficult?

And what is more difficult going that way rather than the usual?

cheers

It'd be grim going down there in my view.  Obviously the ridge itself would be OK as it's near enough level but down scrambling I just don't find fun.  And you'd be massively against the flow.  Not something I'd do - go find something similar on a less busy mountain.  Or do it at 4am or something.

I think that the only real "difficulty" will be the pinnacles (the big step) but that's easily bypassed.

However, I agree with Neil Williams that you'd be travelling against the general flow and it can get pretty jammed up there during the day. An early start would be advisable.

Thereafter, the descent to Bwlch y Moch should be fine if you take it nice and steady. 

it would still be a grade 1 scramble in descent, which is reasonable ground to come down. As much of its a traverse there's not very much difference.

I find that the most difficult part of descending scrambles is route-finding, as looking down it's harder to see the line. As you already know the line this difficulty is negated.

Other scrambles to think about linkups are[climb (2195,"Eastern Terrace")] Y Gribin (Summer) (Grade-1) North Ridge of Crib Goch (D)

Good choices.

I'd also consider Daear Ddu on Siabod

It would be awkward if you came across parties going the other way at several points where it narrows, and there is a tricky bit of polished up-scrambling which would be shite to down climb.  

For a change, why not avoid the crowds and do the North Ridge instead?

Hello Nigel. Would suggest dropping off along the North Ridge and down via Lyn Glas into the Llanberis Pass ? 
Also you could consider starting from the pass and heading up the ridge to the right of the CC hut and joining the Llanberis path and rounding it from there.  You may be lucky with parking or sometimes the farmer lets the field just further down the pass for fiver - and it’s just a short walk back up.
It’s a nice round that way and quiet in and around Cwn Glas.

cheers Paul, good to see you're still alive .

I’ve only done it once that way. A long time ago, but I don’t remember any difficulties. As others have said, the problem might be people coming the other way. We had slept close to the summit and whilst we got delayed directing a cold group of Three Peakers to a safe route off the mountain, we were on the ridge before 6am.

It's fine, so long as it's not too busy. You can go down the 'normal' way to Pen-y-Pas via the start (end?)  of the Pyg, or you can head to the North and go down the ridge East of Cwm Glas. It's a bit gravely though, and you have to cut across off well-worn paths to get back to Pen-y-Pas (if that is your goal).

IMO the issue isn't the route itself, it's the traffic. 

If the ridge is busy it's a pain in either direction and I'd even argue it's more pleasant going east, as people in a queue are much less grumpy with passing than overtaking. It's straightforward grade 1 both ways.

I've had no problems decending it.

Going in this direction  is lovely in the late afternoon or early evening. The crowds have largely gone and looking across to Lliwedd, the lights very different to in the morning and can be really beautiful. A great combination is Main Wall on Cyrn Las, followed by anything on Cologwyn y Person, then Cologwyn y Ddysgul arête, reverse the horseshoe and descend via the North Ridge of Crib Goch.

Agree I descended North Ridge at lunchtime midweek last week (after Clogwyn Y Person Arete) after the early start crowd had passed. Park in the Pass or at the Park and Ride up Cyrn Las Ridge (Grade 1 - one easy step) and descend North Ridge to Cwm Glas Mawr and down to your car. Simply lovely low stress day.

I've done it the wrong way loads of times. Up and down Snowdon via Crib Goch makes a good day with lots of scrambling.

It's good experience to practise scrambling down. Especially if you ever go to the Alps, where downclimbing is often unavoidable.

Finding a way down through the steep rock band is the crux of the descent. Again, that's a useful skill to learn. 

There are no particular problems passing those coming up. The are plenty of passing places on the ridge. 

Descending Bristly Ridge and Tryfan North ridge is the next step up. The latter can be quite taxing actually.

The only bit of info you need is getting onto the ridge from the West as the climb up from the East is tricky to find in descent. I did a writeup up for ukscrambles and here's wot I wrote:

"From Bwlch Coch climb to the HIGHEST point of the first pinnacle.  Amongst the summit blocks the polish tan brown rock gives a clue to your way forwards; an angled break leads down North Eastwards between the vertical rock to a ledge that runs off to your right.  Bum shuffle down to the ledge and then wander rightwards to easier ground." [Photo on the website]

Its a great descent if you have done the Parson's Nose, dropping of the North Ridge rather than to Pen y Pass.  My full write up is here: https://www.ukscrambles.com/wales-scrambles/clogwyn-y-person-arete/

I got stuck at that crux for a while. I didn't like the look of the cracks round to the right.  I eventually got up on the other flank, via a steep move well to the left of the wall and an airy step round to the left.

Might try your way next time.

It’s an ace route and not particularly problematic in my view. Down the north ridge is good but slightly scrappy in the bowl down to Ynys Ettws. Agree enjoyment of the main ridge might depend how busy it is.