Crib Goch Traverse in Winter

Winter traverse of Crib Goch! Every once in a while you get the chance to have a perfect mountain day...this was one of those days! Crib Goch is an iconic mountain ridge on Snowdon in North Wales. This route is fantastic in any season but at its best when caked in snow and lit with bright sunshine under blue skies.
My aim in this video is to give you a real feel for what the route is like in these conditions and to offer some simple tips on safety and how to approach this route in the Winter. Please remember that these conditions are rare and you should carefully assess weather forecasts, conditions and your level of skill before attempting Grib Goch at any time of the year.
I hope you enjoy the video as much I have done in making it.

[@barrywebber100]

Wonderful, perfect, winter conditions with absolutely beautiful scenery and views. A great very enjoyable short film. Thanks for posting.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@barrywebber100 really glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@edsloan]

Such an amazing day. I would love to see a montage with epic music in the background of your hike. It's stunning!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

It was beautiful 👍

[@philipburke1708]

Watched many a video about the Crib Goch traverse. Most are ok and some are pretty awful. This is exceptional. Well made, very informative, good advice re: gear, prep and decision making. So pleased to see someone carrying and using a walker's ice axe correctly. At the risk of sounding pompous or pious; so many folks who make these videos seem to lack the most basic mountaineering skills. Thanks for a great video. Phil

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Phil. That is really kind of you and encourages me that these videos are worth making for others to enjoy. Massive thanks 👍

[@john.hughes]

This is beautifully presented. It could be on a BBC nature documentary.

[@RetLt116]

Beautifully Done!! Mad respect. All the best from the States!!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey, thanks for that. Glad you enjoyed it. Greetings from Wales!

[@lukemagee462]

This is a challenging route at the best of times for most, but throw in the cinematography as well is top draw. Fantastic video, would definitely like to do this next year.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks Luke. I was lucky with the conditions which made filming so much easier. Perfect day and actually easier in good snow and crampons than the rock.

[@TheBushcraftPadawan]

It's dropped at last! Thank you for taking the time to not only take us along on this journey but also for the editing graft that you've clearly put in. Nice work on hiding the drone remote from view as well! 🎉

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi! Glad you enjoyed it. Taking people with me through the video is my biggest aim with the videos, so thank you for that.

[@AlexMckillmore]

That's cinched it. Im buying an ice axe and crampons. Been scrambling a lot recently in North Wales and am anxious to experience the winter conditions there.

[@peterclarke3619]

Great video, very proffesional. I love Snowdonia (from a safe distance) and enjoyed joining you on your walk across Crib Goch. A couple of years ago I was talking to a member of the Llanberis mountain rescue team who told me in great detail about the dangers involved and the consequencies of getting it wrong along that knife edge, I personally would only venture up there by helicopter, or hover trousers perhaps. Thanks for the video.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Peter! Thank you so much for letting me know what you enjoyed it. One of the main reasons I enjoy doing these videos is the hope that it takes people with me. Great to hear that it did for you. Cheers.

[@richardfromcornwall5492]

What a fantastic, gorgeous video! I remember doing the route on a number of occasions in my earlier years including a couple of times in winter conditions but none as good as these. Unfortunately, my health and mobility are such that I can only dream of doing the route but I’ll put this video at the top of my playlist to watch time and time again. Thank you.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Richard, that is so good for me to read. One of the reasons I make these videos is to share these moments with others who may not experience these moments in person. Great that you have been there and have excellent memories to look back on! Take care.

[@Treefrogging]

Well done very narrated , you made it look easy. I have seen one video on you tube which showed the total opposite of how dangerous this ridge can be to the ill prepared.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks very much 👍 I am actually considering making a video which shows the ridge at it's worst. That could be very valuable.

[@MrSychnant]

Great video to watch while i was curled up warm in bed 🙂 Thanks..

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Brilliant 😅

[@user-kt5tv7le8j]

Wow, amazing footage! And perfect weather conditions 👌

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi. Thanks for that. Yes, it was a gorgeous day.

[@Forgotten.Compass]

Beautiful conditions and some stunning footage. Really enjoyed watching it.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

It was absolutely perfect. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@joelparryweddingvideographer]

Cracking video Paul. Stunning footage and a great edit. Thanks for a great watch 🙌

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks Joel, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@JamesWiddowson-li2kd]

Echo all comments about GREAT video quality! I was jelly legs enough to crawl along this ridge in two successive summers, a winter crossing like yours is unimaginable! Great demonstration that proper kit is required. I’ve used an ice axe only once - for a tarp descent of Mt St Helens in WA. USA!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks, James. Glad you've been up as is brilliant. Certainly seen many people crawling or even bum sliding across! Cheers.

[@shrkmn39]

Wow incredible

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@oliverterry7778]

Absolutely love the editing in this!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Oliver! Really glad you like it. Great to hear from you.

[@pearso1c]

The most amazing weather to do that video in. Loved it.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Yep, I was really lucky! Especially as the light was the same throughout the filming. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@jonnyostrowski22]

Paul, what an absolutely rare day that was out on the hill, great to see your video, brilliant!!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Great to have had someone to share it with, briefly. Cheers.

[@davejones7132]

Great video Paul with some spectacular views of the horseshoe. Brings back some great memories 👍

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks Dave 👊 The Horseshoe is a BIG day out.

[@ifinalsunset7804]

We need this man to post more vidoes! This is awesome. I’ve done crib in the summer and planning to tackle it and CMD in the winter next season.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Man, that made my day. I'll do what I can!

[@mickeyhoward3851]

Really outstanding video. Love the combination of amazing scenery, running commentary & technical advice on equipment and skills throughout.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi, Mickey. Really grateful for your comments and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

So great to see the horseshoe in superb conditions which magnifies the scale of the range. Easy to see why Tenzing, when accompanying Hilary and Charles Evans on a similar day asked where the camps were going to be on the traverse. Also it is a refreshing change to see a capable and knowledgeable mountaineer who fully appreciates the requirements both in capabilities as well as gear for these conditions. Lastly, it is great to hear the correct pronunciations of Crib Goch, Crib yr Ddysgl, Garnedd Ugain and Yr Wyddfa . Fideo ardderchog

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Diolch am y galon. Although I'm not a Welshman, the Welsh language and the proper names of the mountains and places are important to me. Thank you for your kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Amazing to see that it inspired thoughts of our heroes 😁

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

@@BeyondTheTrail croeso 👍

[@joew245]

Great video Paul. Really well made. Inspiring as always. Keep them coming!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Joe, I'm glad you like it. I'll keep working on more this year 👊

[@bigfaffproductions]

Great channel with quality videos. Definitely inspiration to keep working on the quality of my videos :)

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Ah, cheers 👊 You've got some nice videos. King's Chimney looks awesome.

[@jonpage153]

This is class,well done

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey, thanks. Much appreciated. It was perfect conditions for filming. Cheers.

[@AaronRobinson67]

I love your videos, I wish you'd do more

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Man! That is so encouraging. I love doing this but life has been so busy recently! I intend to do more though. Thank you.

[@chrisanders92]

Nice one, Paul! Hope you’re well

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks Chris. Doing really well. Hope you are too.

[@willward952]

Thanks for being brave and showing me Snowdon's amazing scenery and views in the winter, but the slightly higher views I would not attempt never mind ever see. Heights are not my strong point and you did it in the winter!! wow😯

[@BeyondTheTrail]

I'm so glad I could share it with you, if you won't be going up there yourself. I hope you got some sense of what it is like. Thank you.

[@kyzersoze9002]

Absolutely loved this video. Great production quality. I've subbed! My first visit to CG I had to turn back just before the top of the ridge as rain and wind was brutal! Never seen weather turn so quickly. I've been itching to go back ever since but these videos will do for now :)

[@BeyondTheTrail]

That's awesome. Thanks. Yep, the weather can be nuts up there. Sometimes it is more satisfying to make a safe decision and call it a day than to risk a dangerous summit attempt. Good luck trying again 👍

[@geo2472]

What a beautiful day!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

It was stunning.

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

Fantastic mix of shots and chat......I only managed one winter climb/film this year. You really set the Bar!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi 👊 That's a massive compliment, thank you. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I'll check out your channel.

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

@@BeyondTheTrail appreciated. I try! But I meant it. You filmed awesome broll and gave great commentary 👍😜

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@MountainManJohnFilms 👊

[@bensgotabigbikeshaw5281]

best video of crib goch imo

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Great 👊 Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@kushkabin9077]

Damn, 2.7k subs, but quality of a 100,000+ subs. Inspiring dude, can't wait to get out into the Munros this winter, if I get aday half as good as this, I'll be happy! Great advice and presentation. Felt like a quality TV programme.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

That is a massive compliment, thank you. I should be working harder on the channel but so flipping busy 😁 Have an awesome Winter.

[@kushkabin9077]

@@BeyondTheTrail Hey man, build It and they will come. Looking forward to the next vid!

[@Jellyhygant]

Still aim to do this. Would need your expert guidance though, don't fancy attempting it otherwise.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Definitely possible, once it dries out 😁

[@carterexplores9198]

Nice to see a new video from you 👍

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks! It's long overdue.

[@davidmills5999]

Fantastic video P.T, but I still think you are very mad, I still haven't done it in the summer...nor likely

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@davidmills5999 Ha ha :) Great to hear from you!

[@Brioche_Boy]

Hey. I reconised you on the ogwen mountain rescue show! Thanks for documenring so many great routes

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Great to be involved in that program. It really shows the amazing work of so many organisations. I really hope I can get some new videos on here this year, but so busy! Thanks for saying hi.

[@Brioche_Boy]

@@BeyondTheTrail thanks! I look forward to them but no pressure!

[@alexanderjonas2418]

Fantastic made video and I would say it arguably ‘looks’ safer in this weather - but clearly it is not for the ill prepared any time of year

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi, thanks for your comment and I'm glad you enjoyed it. In these conditions it can be easier than when wet as the crampons are a game changer. Cheers.

[@reasonsvoice8554]

I've thought it looked easier in snow from a few videos I've seen too

[@hanzlahnisar1373]

Yup I thought it looks easier with the snow

[@Jayroch777]

Some video 👌

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Thanks 👊

[@jasonmcghee1266]

Can you say what type of gear you had on your feet? I am an American, but I have a son studying over in Ireland. He hikes a lot and I am a little worried he will contemplate going over to Wales to hike this, probably not in Winter, but still. I have watched many of your videos and wonder at how you have developed a mind that trusts your feet and hands in situations with a great deal of exposure. I look forward to your future videos.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi. Thanks for letting me know you've enjoyed the videos and I hope I can get some more out this year. On scrambling routes like this, in anything other than winter conditions, I wear 'approach shoes' which are sturdy but have soft, sticky soles. I wear La Sportiva Boulder X or Scarpa Crux. You can also wear a light walking boot but they can be a little too flexible in the sole. In the Winter I wear a B2 graded boot like the La Sportiva Trango Tower. Happy to advise any time. Cheers.

[@jasonmcghee1266]

@@BeyondTheTrail thank you!

[@ForkCandle123]

Risky enough in the dry. But in the wet or in the snow it's extremely risky.

[@willmcleanuk]

What’s the music?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi. I pay a subscription to Artlist for good quality library music.