Biffa's XC Guide 4: Elidir/Quarries into the Carneddi

Introduction
This short straightish line XC can just creep up on you. You find yourself saying “I’ll just fly to there and then see what happens”.  Before you know it you’re into new country.  The nice thing is that there are good escape routes all the way in case you’ve had enough and the air is almost guaranteed to be clean and sweet.  Beautiful views greet you at every stage and you can hone your hitching skills back to Llanberis.

When, Where, etc
The journey begins on Elidir Fach looking out over Llanberis and Llyn Padarn.  It is possible to do in a westerly or south westerly breeze and really needs some thermicos to get you a little bit high. It is also possible to do this run on a light wind thermic day setting off when some air flow has started up the Ogwen Valley.  The route can take further up the Ogwen valley or over the tops of the Carneddi towards Llanwrst.  Do watch out for fast jets when  flying mid week …… sitting in the middle of valleys might not be good for your health!

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 is either from the normal Garret take off or walk up onto Elidir Fach.  It may seem a lot easier to fly from this lower point but the walk up to a safer and gentler point will often make sense.  Garret can be turbulent to say the least in thermic conditions and the almost right angled edge can challenge your ground handling skills and abrade lines and fabric. Continue walking up through the quarries until you come to the steep grassy slope above the large quarry hole called Australia.  Take off here or on light days continue over the tarmac road and onto the top of Elidir Fach. Bomb out points here are either at Bus Stop Quarry (the grassy area below Garret) or if you are sensible and have left a vehicle in Llanberis … down onto the football pitches).(view map).

2) From  any of these takeoff points work your way up the side of Elidir.  Whilst you are still low enough to glide into Australia  …… don’t!  Use the hillside and slag heaps to the North of it to get you high.  Being low and in the main quarry complex on thermic days can be extremely challenging.  Once you get to the height where the tarmac road stops you should have no problems getting to the top Of Elidir Fach and climb several hundred feet above it.  From here there is plenty of opportunity to buzz up and down the ridge towards Marchlyn, drop back onto Elidir Fawr or cruise out over the quarries and Llanberis.  But that is another story, today we are not landing by the car! If you find yourself out of cycle up here try to stay out from the hill and fly in zeros or whatever until the next thermal comes through.  At this height they have nearly always broken away from the hill and so hugging the ground does no good.  If you do go down then landings are the same as in 1) above.(view map).

3) Having gained maximum height above the Elidir Fach ridge run down its length until it suddenly drops down to the Marchlyn Reservoir dam face.  From here you are going to glide over onto the next mountain called Carnedd Filiast which has a lower and a higher peak.  If there is some do the glide at cloud base under the drifting blanket.  Failing that you will find yourself loosing an alarming amount of height on the short glide.  As you glide towards Filiast either congratulate yourself on staying high and head for the higher peak or console yourself that it will make life more interesting anyway and glide onto the lower peak (which overlooks Penrhyn Quarry).  If the going gets very negative here then swing out towards the coast and either run back to the Elidir ridge for an altitude top up or if that fails then fly down to land close to the tarmac road that winds down from Marchlyn.  Landing out in  the central moorland area is not recommended – no paths and often quite damp …… yes I have tried it! (view map).

4) Carnedd Filiast is a beautiful rounded block of rock that will get you soaring and thermalling easily to its top.  I tend not to soar over the face that drops into the water when lowish for obvious reasons – it always looks deep, damp and cold (which it is). Once above the top you should continue climbing to get the maximum height before going on the next glide.  The backside of Filiast has been cut away by the glacial action through the Ogwen Valley and crossing low will get you into some interesting rotor.  If the lift won’t get you into your own perceived safety zone then still do the crossing but fly out towards Bethesda for a few hundred yards before turning back into the valley. If you do go down here turn back into wind and land as in 3 or fly out at right angles to a likely field on the outskirts of Mynedd Llandegai. (view map).

5) As you go for the crossing look carefully up the valley, fast jets come through here regularly and may not see you in time! In front of you is the sun drenched south face side of the Ogwen Valley. Point your toes, add a little speed bar if you are feeling good and glide to the point where the valley side becomes vertical and a little rocky. There is an obvious promontory with a small conifer plantation below it. That little jutting out piece always works to give you lift. As you glide over it will be a long way below you but believe me your vario will be growling at you, expect to lose 1000’ on that crossing. Going down somewhat here is an inevitability, landing is not. If you do get a lot lower than the saviour ridge then just be careful landing in the valley, turbulence, power lines etc. (view map).

6) Hang out over this mini cliff, you can see now that a miniscule gully runs up to it and keeps the air flowing even out of thermal cycles. As you gain height start to work your way along the top of the grassy/rocky cliff towards Penyrole-Wen. You may have to beat up and down here a bit but ensure that you stay above the edge if you can. The temptation is to continue working along even as the mountain climbs suddenly after all there is plenty of nice rock heating up. But don’t. Try it by all means but 9/10 the valley wind is flushing this face and you will find little or no climbs. Instead continue to patrol the ridge sensing where you think the thermals will break away. If you are in sink for a while shoot back to the point as in 6 above.(view map).

7) All of a sudden you will get picked up and pulled skywards (I kid ye not). The combination of that sunny deep valley, the smooth sides and the sudden arrive of a flat plain catapults the air just where you want to go. Work the initial tight thermal until it and you widen out. Saviour point will rapidly disappear as you climb out over the plain below. Stay with the thermal and do not be tempted to jump back onto the steep stony ridge that links Penyrole-Wen to Carnedd Dafydd. It looks like a lovely ridge top soar but is hard work and will often leave you crapping around at its base. Far far better to continue turning as the tops come up to greet you If you do land at the bottom, best bet is to walk back to saviour point and take off again somewhat the wiser. (view map).

8) Once at the top of the ridge there is an obvious choice which will depend on the airflow that day. You can continue your bowl crossing to Carnedd Llywellyn. Again make sure that you have plenty of height before crossing. Yr Elen the slightly lower but steeper peak to your left often looks a best bet. However air flow by now will be up the steep sided cwm and so Yr Elen tends not to be into wind or firing off thermals. Better to go into the back of the bowl where lifting air is guaranteed as is lots of height. Once here it up to you, fall back into the Conwy valley and Llanwrst, track out over Yr Elen and try to make it to Moel Wnion to impress the school students or just fly down the ridge to land just above Bethesda. (view map).

9) The other choice is to go over the back of the ridge that you have been soaring as in 7). Only do this with lots and lots of height as there is a wonderful whirlpool of air just behind it. Perhaps make for Tryfan which will have air flowing up it as the sea breeze sets in or try the long glide to Pen Yr Helig Ddu that long ridge which sticks out into the valley half way to Capel Curig. (view map).

Safety
As I have said keep an eye out for fast jets – staying at the back of the cwms, and crossing valleys quickly and high is your best bet. The jets always come from the Capel Curig end of the Ogwen Valley which makes things a little easier.

Enjoy.....

Biffa 2001.