Biffa's XC Guide 1: The Snowdon Horseshoe

Introduction
This is the first of several articles of a how to nature. Why bother? Some would say that half the fun of flying XC from home sites is to get away from a takeoff fly a certain distance until a mistake is made. Then land out somewhere, be elated but learn that next time not to do that move that caused you to bomb out and still be happy. If you are that sort of flyer then read no further. If however you would like some tips that should get you going XC sooner then carry on.

The flying area within SSS can appear (and at times is) daunting. I can remember my first steps at leaving beloved safe hills and wandering relatively aimlessly through the air hoping to achieve the task I had set myself. What became clear after a while was that the same method of achieving the journey could be used again and again. The bonus here was that early parts of a flight (the familiar parts) could be flown through relatively easily. With previous knowledge, that rock face or that bowl was no longer the angry demon that would eat me up and spit me out.

So that's the idea - share that knowledge.

The first one is a method for flying the Snowdon Horseshoe, taking off from Moel Berfedd, dramatic as it gets in UK flying, big bowls, cliff faces, spine back ridges where a combination of soaring and thermalling will get you from takeoff and back with a few thousand foot of climb in between.

When, Where, etc
This circuit can be flown when conditions are right for flying on the main face of Moel Berfedd, so when the wind is not too strong coming down the valley from Capel Curig, and there is some thermal activity go for it. The most pleasant time to do this circuit is when you have to work a little to get above Berfedd using thermals. This will mean that when you climb higher there will be a low risk of being blown backwards. Any time from 11.00 onwards and up until the evening is possible until there is no more sun in the horse shoe bowl.

Step by Step
Points on the diagram relate to the numbers below
* copy in italics explain bomb out points on the way

1) Take off from Moel Berfedd, assess conditions and climb above the summit. There is no need to get more than 100 ft or so above the top, though the more the merrier. (view map).

2) From a point where you are flying right above the highest point on the front face of Berfedd, go for a glide towards the lump of rock opposite Berfedd guarding the entrance to Pen Y Pass. As you come in above it there is often lift, work it to gain as much height as possible. If there is no lift fly towards the next lump of rock and repeat. The next little pimple which sits half way along the pipe line ridge (it has a pump storage pipe running down it!) is the one to really work on. In many conditions it is very thermic as the wind flows from Capel over and down, heats up in the dip and bubbles up off this little bump. As you climb and drift start heading into the big upper bowl just below the main ridge of Gallt Y Wenallt. (view map).

If you find yourself sinking out on the way over do not be tempted to stay on the first lump and get too low. As you get lower it sits in the lee of a mini ridge with a vertical face in front of you. Better to glide onto the pipeline ridge and work that. If it appears to be failing it is easy to land on top of this ridge and wait for better times. Once you are below the ridge and going down make the decision quickly and glide down to the camp site at Llyn Gwynant, care the valley air can be quite frisky.

3) If all goes well you will be thermalling several hundred feet up and gradually drifting backwards into the main bowl. If not and the little pimple is not working then continue to fly across to the main lump of rock (Galt Y Wenallt) known as the pump (because it always works to give lift). Aim for the groove at the top and soar/thermal to keep above it. Be patient and gain height above the pump, it often pays to fly out in front of the pump where the thermal action is. Gradually you will find yourself climbing up a sharp ridge, stay on the windward (Berfedd) side and get as high as possible. Often the lift peters out here and you are left seemingly stranded. This is the time to take the plunge and glide into the big upper bowl to your left. (view map).

If you lose the lift on the way over, turn about and fly back towards the pipeline ridge. If you make it then go back to step 2 a little wiser. If you don't fly as near as you can land and walk to the pipeline ridge to take off again.

4) Whether you have gone via step 2 or step 3 you should be in the same place. It is now a matter of circling up or soaring the nearly vertical face until you pop out above the ridge. Use this ½ mile long ridge to gain the maximum height possible, whilst enjoying the view and the other gliders flying on that tiny bump called Berfedd. (view map).

Whilst flying this section going down should not be a problem. If it is, you will find yourself naturally edging back to the pipeline ridge, at which point use the advice above.

5) As you go about doing 4 you will notice a big black lump off to your left (if you are soaring) that appears to get in your way. This is the beginning of Y Lliwedd ridge. This juts out some what into the horse shoe and you become aware that if you were to just fly along it that eventually you will end up in the lee with potential rotor. So, don't do that! You have one of two choices. Either find those thermals and climb right above it or glide across its face straight onto the back of the Lliwedd Bowl. (view map).

6) The Lliwedd bowl can look a bit scary but if you think about it the air has no choice but to go up. Soar up the rock face and then as you come out above the ridge start to use the thermals to climb. You will find yourself next to Snowdon itself now (you can hardly miss it). I always find it better to climb a little way away from Snowdon's face until you have height. Then it is just a matter of deciding where to go. (view map).

Like all certainties it is still very possible to go down here. Early in the day this can be in shadow and not producing too much lift. If you find yourself going down, fly across to the steep but mainly grassy slope that holds Glaslyn lake in place. This often works and is in sun. From here you can climb up to Lliwedd again and if all else fails there is a grassy area at it base that you can land upon. From here walk back along the miners track.

7) If your objective still remains to fly the horse shoe then you can glide across to Crib Y Ddysgyl which in the afternoon is baking in the sun producing lots of lift, or you can fly straight onto Crib Goch and watch the ants crawling up the path. (view map).

No lift here simply means gliding back over to the pipeline ridge or if you do not make it land by Llyn Llidaw.

8) As long as you are pretty near the nose of Crib Goch (height wise) it is just a matter of flying out over Berfedd and back to takeoff. (view map).

9) Congratulate yourself!

Safety
- If you are flying after 1pm on Berfedd keep an eye out for the sea breeze. On nice warm days it will work it's way up the pass and eventually blow over the top of takeoff. However there is a period where the breeze is still blowing onto Berfedd but the sea breeze has crept over Pen Y Pass and down the valley that you are about to fly across. Keep an eye on cloud coming in from behind Berfedd to warn you. You will soon know if it is beginning to sea breeze as your gentle glide turns to rock ‘n roll!

- The lee side of Gallt Y Wenallt and Lliwedd can look very inviting as you fly along these ridges. The sun is on the lee side and it is tempting to follow them back into the bowl that the Watkin Pass descends through. My experiences there have not been good, either no lift and bomb out at Llyn Gwynant or a pasting. When jumping around the nose of Lliwedd that sticks out this option looks good, but be patient and go around the front.

- If you are into bird watching then the area above the pump has been a cruising ground for a pair a buzzards that do not take kindly to your invading their territory. They can be intimidating with their screeching and dive bombing but rarely go further.

- Once at Snowdon height or above it may seem like a good idea to just keep going and head for the Nantle Ridge. If this is you then either have a lot of height above Snowdon or better drift in the thermals towards Arran before pealing off. The rotor directly behind Snowdon is not pleasant.

Enjoy……

© Biffa 1999.