We Climbed Grooved Arête in the Summer of 2000; located on the East side on Tryfan this proved to be fine days climbing in the warm summer sun.

Location - Tryfan, Ogwen Valley, North Wales

Camping Location/ Parking - Gwern Gof Uchaf (grid 673 603) Basic camping facilities, but     generally cheap.  Parking is also available in the car park at the start of the track with a small fee payable if you are not camping.  Alternatively park carefully on the road side.

OS Map, Grid Reference -  Outdoor Leisure 17, Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa, grid 664 595

Guide Book Used - Ogwen and Carneddau, page 58 (Ogwen Section)

Grade - Very Difficult        Height - 560 ft (170 m)        Number of Pitches -  9

Equipment Used - A general selection of nuts and friends (or Hex's) with extenders and slings.  Remember that this climb will take the good part of the day and involves a good steep walk in and a longer decent.  The approach and decent are not difficult so if the weather is fine a sturdy pair of approach shoes would do fine. 

Do not forget to take waterproof jacket, small first aid kit, lunch etc (usual walking kit) as the weather can change without much warning.

Approach - Starting from the campsite there is a well defined path starting to the left of the farm building/ cottage (pay here for camping and parking). This track will lead you towards Tryfan and take you under Little Tryfan (a good spot for some evening climbing). You then need to work your way up the hill side onto the Heather Terrace.  An alternative approach can be made via the millstone buttress but finding the right level to move onto the terrace can be tricky if you don't know the area.  Once on the Terrace the route starts at the foot of a rib and is marked with GA on the rock (I think!).

The Route - (Refer to the Guide book for details) The climbing is never that serious and starts out with clear lines up a number of open grooves between ledges.  The belay ledges allow you to move around freely.  The top 3 or 4 pitches really put the cream on the cake with the most exposed climbing on good clean rock and gear just where you need it.

Descent Routes - Continue heading across the ridge and down into the saddle, there you will find a dry stone wall with a style bridging it.  Either climb over the style and follow the path back to the farm (campsite) as we did or follow the main path right down to the large car park and cafe.