Moel Siabod
GW/NW-010
872m
2861ft
SH 705546
8 SOTA points
MAP
FWIW I also think Moel Siabod is a nice
hill. Like lots of not very high hills surrounded by taller ones, it is a
wonderful viewpoint for those higher neighbours. Tryfan has a similar
grandstand status further over and for the alpinists, I rate the Pigne
d'Arolla as a supreme vantage point for views of many of the classic 4000m
peaks.
Moel Siabod also has the merit of several very varied routes of
ascent. The quick and easy way is from the Victoria Bridge at the back of
Plas y Brenin - when I worked there we used to go for an evening run up that
way.
Better is the East Ridge from the Capel side - to me reminiscent in
character of the 'voie normale' up Schiehallion. Better still is the
Dolwyddelan Ridge (not difficult - what the guide books describe as an
'entertaining' scramble) which can be done from the Dolwyddelan side, but is
more often done after starting from the Capel side as though going for the
East Ridge, but turning left and past Llyn y Foel for a much more
entertaining day. Sometimes from P y B we used to start up the tourist route,
then traverse the E Ridge and round this way to the Dolwyddelan Ridge, ascend
this and then come back down the tourist route to the bridge.
The route
which does not really fit with any of these, is a traverse starting from P y B
or (more logically) Capel and going over the summit, travelling west down the
long gentle descent to the Roman Camp and the Pen y
Gwryd. If you do
this in reverse, the ascent seems to go on for ever and a day. Either way,
you either need two cars or a taxi driver.
For those who like those
things, there is a wonderful 'wild' campsite on the delta by Llyn Diwaunedd
- just a shame that so many people have used the adjacent forest fringe as
a (very) public dumpenplatz.
73 de Peter - G0FIM / AA3JN
Following the A5 from Betws y Coed heading towards Capel Curig,
just before Pont Cyfyng there is a car park.
Taking a left into Pont Cyfyng, a footpath is marked to your
right. This leads past a dissused quarry towards the
mountain.
The ascent can be made via the north but more enjoyable is the
route which leads to a longer ascent around from the south, past
the old mine works and lakes.
This path is quite straight forward until just below the summit
where a scramble over bolders is required to reach the
summit.
On a clear day the view is excellent, immediately below,
Dolwyddelan Castle can be seen and beyond is Trawsfynydd
reservoir.
A simple descent can be made down the gradual north flank of Moel
Siabod. picking up the path back to Pont
Cyfyng.
Large summit with little antenna
support.
73
Roger MW0IDX K3IDX
