Winter hangs on in Snowdonia

After a mostly very wet, mild winter in North Wales, the best winter conditions on the hills have been in the last few weeks. Fresh snow over the last few days has provided winter conditions above about 500m on the hills. The pictures below were taken just below Bwlch Glas on the Snowdon Ranger path last Thursday. We tried a winter ascent of Moelwyn Bach on Friday, but contrary to the Met Office mountain forecast for light westerly winds, we were battered by gale force northerlies from about 400m and stinging, horizontal sleet showers, so we beat a hasty retreat !