OK lets get into the Rhinogs whatever the weather does!

Ever optimistic that it would clear up we drove up the minor road into the depths of Cwmnantcol into low cloud and rain and parked near a cattle grid about 1km east of the church.

We donned a full set of waterproofs and gaiters expecting to get soaked. We set off  on a path/bridleway across the moorland between Moelfre and Moelblithcwm. The path on the ground does not follow the right of way marked on the OS map; it heads straight for the col at its lowest point. We joined the track at a long retangular wall boundry then across wet ground to the outflow of the resorvoir; Llyn Bodlyn.

On compass bearings we headed for the bend in the path that heads SW from Pont Scethin  to a cairn on the long shoulder that leads down from Diffwys. From here the navigation is ealy as the wall acts as a handrail all the way to Diffwys at 750m.

Llyn Hywel

Still rainin, howling a gale and visibility down to 50m.

We kept our heads down following that faithful wall over Crib-y-rhiw  and Y Llethr at 756m. The cols between do not drop much otherwise we would have lost heart. We encountered a lone fell runner heading south into the wind and rain who had found a map. I hope the owner found their way off the hills in that cloud?

The descent into the col between Y Llethr and Rhinog Fach was rocky and steep and the rain had made the rock very slippery.
But, we dropped out of the cloud for a brief glimpse of Llyn Hywel, so here it is!

Toffee in the Afon Cwmnantcol

The ascent to Rhinog Fach ws the most enjoyable part of the walk, on interesting rock with little scrambles to maintain the interest.

The top of Rhinog Fach 712m was not a place to linger on such a windy and wet day but the rain had at last stopped!

The descent north, is initially on a good path that peters out amongst the crags, boulders and heather that would have been easier to negotiate could we see where we were heading, but the low cloud persisted.

We ended up on a path west of Llyn Cwmhosen that met the path through Bwlch Drws-Ardudwy.

Bwlch Drws-Ardudwy

We found the descent tiring on the slippery rock and the dogs didn't like the craggy drops and boulders. The walk back to the car after a long day seemed to go on for ever, but we have sworn to return in descent weather when we can see what we are walking amongst.