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Crib Goch
Crib Goch
Crib Goch
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Part of the Crib Goch ridge. An easy section of the path runs over the grassy saddle

Key Information

Crib Goch is a knife-edged arête in the Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, Wales. The name means "red ridge" in Welsh.

The highest point on the arête is 923 metres (3,028 ft) above sea level. All routes which tackle Crib Goch are considered mountaineering routes in winter or scrambles in summer—meaning that they must cross "graded territory" as defined in Steve Ashton's Scrambles in Snowdonia.[2] The easiest of these lines (the ‘bad step’ part of the route) is given a scrambling grade of Grade 1 (the most difficult being Grade 3—routes more difficult than Grade 3 are considered rock climbs).

Route

[edit]
Sketch map of the Snowdon massif
Legend
·grey: ridges
·red lines: paths
·orange lines: roads
·dotted grey line: Snowdon Mountain Railway
The ‘knife-edge’ arête of Crib Goch (foreground) and the pyramidal peak of Snowdon (background) are both the result of glaciation.

The classic traverse of Crib Goch from East to West leads up from the Pyg track to a ‘bad step’, where hands and feet are both needed briefly. It is followed by ascent to the arête, before tackling three rock-pinnacles to a grassy col at Bwlch Coch. This first part of the ridge is exposed with precipices below, having resulted in several fatalities, even of experienced mountaineers;[3][4] the Snowdonia National Park Authority describes it as ‘not a mountain for the inexperienced’.[5] It is also possible to ascend Crib Goch's North Ridge, which adjoins the main ridge. The route is far more difficult in high winds or frozen ground, and so it is recommended that walkers check the weather forecast beforehand.[6]

It is possible to ascend Crib Goch from Bwlch y Moch SH663552 or from Nant Peris, an ascent via Cwm Beudu Mawr.

From the col the ridge rises again, joining the main Snowdon ridge via the sister peak Garnedd Ugain in the west. Here the path meets the Pyg Track (which descends to Pen-y-Pass) at Bwlch Glas (marked by a large standing stone), before the final climb to Snowdon summit. To the south of the arête lie the lakes of Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw. To the north is the Llanberis Pass. Crib Goch is classed as a Welsh 3000er and is also often climbed as the first part of the Snowdon Horseshoe, which goes on over Garnedd Ugain, Snowdon and Y Lliwedd, before returning to Pen-y-Pass.

Crib Goch is one of the wettest spots in the United Kingdom, with an average of 4,473 millimetres (176.1 in) rainfall a year over the past 30 years.[7]

References

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Crib Goch

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Crib Goch is a knife-edged in the Eryri National Park, , forming the northern section of the Snowdon Horseshoe on the of Yr Wyddfa (). Rising to an elevation of 923 metres (3,028 feet), its name translates from Welsh as "red ridge," referring to the ruddy colour of its . This iconic feature, approximately 500 metres long, consists of a narrow, exposed crest with sheer drops exceeding 300 metres on both sides, punctuated by a series of steep pinnacles that demand hands-and-feet scrambling. Classified as a Grade 1 scramble, it combines elements of and , accessible primarily via the Pyg Track from Pen y Pass car park at the eastern end of the ridge. Geologically, Crib Goch originated from volcanic activity around 450 million years ago, with its sharp profile sharpened by Pleistocene glaciation that carved adjacent corries and U-shaped valleys. Renowned among mountaineers for its thrilling exposure—often compared to but more committing than England's Striding Edge—Crib Goch attracts experienced scramblers seeking an adventurous approach to Yr Wyddfa's summit, though it is not a standard walking route. However, its lack of escape routes and vulnerability to weather amplify risks, with annual incidents including falls, strandings, and fatalities reported by local mountain rescue teams; it is unsuitable for novices, dogs, or poor conditions.

Geography

Location and prominence

Crib Goch is situated in , , within the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Its precise coordinates are 53°04′34″N 4°03′18″W. The peak reaches an elevation of 923 metres (3,028 ft), with a of 65 metres (213 ft). Crib y Ddysgl serves as its parent peak. Crib Goch is classified as a Hewitt, Nuttall, member of the , and a Furth. As an eastern outlier of the (Yr Wyddfa) massif, it lies near the to the north and overlooks the lakes Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw to the south.

and features

Crib Goch is characterized by its dramatic knife-edged , a narrow that rises sharply to a height of 923 metres, featuring a series of rocky pinnacles that create significant exposure on both flanks. The 's structure demands careful navigation, with steep drops descending into adjacent cwms, making it a prominent feature of the massif's rugged skyline. To the north, the ridge overlooks Cwm Beudy Mawr, a remote corrie with steep slopes and crags, while to the south lies Cwm Uchaf, a smaller, enclosed basin bounded by imposing cliffs. These cwms contribute to the isolated, wild character of the area, shaped by glacial erosion into U-shaped valleys that enhance the arête's dramatic profile. The eastern end of the connects via a col to Crib y Ddysgl, facilitating the Snowdon Horseshoe traverse, while offering sweeping views southward over Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw, two glacial lakes nestled in the valley below. The region's is typified by the wet, changeable weather patterns of , with Crib Goch recording an average annual rainfall of 4,475 mm, contributing to frequent mist, high winds, and rapid condition shifts that amplify the challenges of the terrain. This high supports a harsh upland environment, where exposure to elements is intensified by the arête's elevated position. Vegetation on Crib Goch is sparse and adapted to alpine conditions, dominated by low-growing heather , grasslands, and occasional outcrops of rare arctic-alpine flora such as the Snowdon lily (Lloydia serotina), thriving in the rocky, wind-swept soils despite the elevation and exposure. The limited plant cover underscores the area's ecological sensitivity, with protected habitats emphasizing conservation amid heavy visitor use.

Geology

Formation and age

Crib Goch forms part of the Volcanic Group within the broader massif, a sequence of volcanic rocks deposited during the Caradoc stage of the period, approximately 450 million years ago. This group represents the second major eruptive cycle in the region, characterized by bimodal volcanism that produced rhyolitic tuffs, lavas, and basaltic flows in a shallow- to offshore-marine environment. The volcanic activity was concentrated in systems, such as those at and Llwyd Mawr, with the Bedded Pyroclastic Formation—prominent on Crib Goch—comprising up to 450 meters of basaltic tuffs, hyaloclastites, and pillow lavas interbedded with marine sediments. The tectonic setting of the Volcanic Group involved a marginal basin within the Welsh Basin, developed as a back-arc extension behind a during the closure of the . Subduction of the oceanic lithosphere southward beneath the Avalonian margin drove north-south plate convergence and east-west extension, leading to the formation of northeast-southwest-trending s like the Snowdon , bounded by major faults such as the Bala and Menai Straits systems. This extensional regime facilitated repeated channeling and subsidence, transitioning the region from arc volcanism to basin development as part of the early . Subsequent evolution of the Snowdonia massif involved significant uplift and faulting during the main phase of the Caledonian orogeny in the Silurian period, which folded and elevated the Ordovician sequences. Later Neogene tectonic reactivation along inherited faults, including the Beddgelert Fault Zone, contributed to additional differential uplift of the massif. The sharp arête of Crib Goch was primarily sculpted during the Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period, when multiple glaciations eroded broader volcanic ridges into narrow crests through cirque headward erosion and valley overdeepening by the Welsh Ice Cap and local alpine glaciers. Intense abrasion persisted until approximately 16,000 years ago, with post-glacial weathering further refining the feature.

Rock composition and color

Crib Goch is primarily composed of rhyolitic volcanics belonging to the Snowdon Volcanic Group, an sequence of acidic igneous rocks that includes ash-flow tuffs and intrusive rhyolites. These form the high ridges and summit, with underlying layers of bedded pyroclastic formations that incorporate sedimentary such as mudstones and tuffs. The rock composition is dominantly , characterized by high silica content with major minerals including and alkali feldspars, alongside minor iron-rich phases such as , , and stilpnomelane. These iron minerals occur in seams, nodules, and pressure shadows within the rhyolites, contributing to the overall mineralogical makeup. The distinctive red coloration of Crib Goch arises from the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals, particularly iron oxides and originally abundant crystals, which weather to produce rusty red hues in the rhyolites and associated ruddy deposits. This iron oxidation imparts the characteristic appearance that scientifically underpins the feature's name, "red ridge." Glacial erosion has further enhanced the exposure of these oxidized surfaces. The rhyolitic rocks exhibit strong weather resistance due to their silica-rich, compact nature, which has preserved sharp pinnacles and along the . However, processes generate loose in lower slopes and gullies, where fragmented material accumulates.

History

Naming and cultural significance

The name "Crib Goch" derives from the , where "crib" means ridge and "goch" means red, directly reflecting the distinctive rusty-red hue of its rhyolitic rock formations visible from afar. This nomenclature underscores the mountain's integration into the Welsh , emphasizing natural features over abstract symbolism. As part of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Crib Goch contributes to a sacred terrain deeply embedded in and , where the region's dramatic peaks have long been associated with ancient druidic practices, giants, , and faeries. Eryri's lore portrays it as a mystical haunt of eagles—echoing the etymological link of "Eryri" to "eryr" (eagle)—and a site of spiritual significance, with isolated groves and sacred pools tied to pre-Christian rituals. Poetic traditions further elevate its cultural role, as Welsh bards have invoked Eryri's ridges in verses celebrating the sublime interplay of and . Crib Goch appears in Welsh poetry as a motif of raw beauty and challenge, notably in T. Rowland Hughes' 20th-century poem "Crib Goch," which evokes the slopes as a "waterfall of stone sheep" to capture the mountain's untamed essence. In 19th-century Romantic , it features amid broader paeans to 's peaks by English poets like and , who in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1818) extolled the area's majestic isolation, inspiring a cultural reverence for such landscapes. Contemporary anthologies, such as The Poetry of Snowdonia, continue this thread by including modern Welsh works that frame Crib Goch within environmental and identity themes. In modern Wales, Crib Goch symbolizes national pride as an emblem of Eryri's rugged allure, prominently featured in promotions that highlight its role in the Snowdon Horseshoe route as a "" scramble. Postcard imagery and mythic representations reinforce its place in Welsh identity, portraying the red ridge as an ethereal gateway to and outdoor adventure.

Exploration and notable ascents

Crib Goch, known as the "red ridge" in Welsh, has likely been traversed by local shepherds and farmers for centuries as part of traditional routes across the massif, though no formal records exist from this period due to its practical use rather than recreational exploration. Formal documentation of ascents began in the mid-19th century amid the rise of Victorian in , when British climbers started systematically exploring the region's peaks for sport. The first recorded traverse of the Horseshoe, which prominently features the Crib Goch ridge, occurred in 1847 by C. A. O. Baumgartner, marking an early milestone in organized hillwalking challenges on the massif. This event highlighted Crib Goch's role in emerging ridge traverses, though no singular "first ascent" is attributed to the peak itself, given its longstanding local usage. Crib Goch also featured in early iterations of the challenges, with the peaks first publicly recognized as a collective objective in 1919 by the Rucksack Club, incorporating the ridge into endurance tests of the Snowdon group. By the , Crib Goch served as a training ground for international expeditions, notably the ridges around at the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel, where Sir and the 1953 British Everest team honed rock and route-finding skills on exposed terrain similar to the arête.

Climbing and scrambling

Overview and difficulty grades

Crib Goch is classified as a Grade 1 in the UK grading system, representing the entry level for routes where hands are frequently used for balance and progression, but ropes are typically unnecessary due to the absence of sustained technical climbing. This classification emphasizes its suitability for those with basic hillwalking experience transitioning to more hands-on terrain, though the route demands careful foot placement along narrow, rocky sections. In winter conditions, the scramble upgrades to a Grade 1 winter climb, where snow and ice transform the ridge into a more demanding endeavor requiring proficiency with an for and crampons for traction on frozen surfaces. Such conditions amplify the inherent challenges, necessitating prior winter skills training to manage the altered friction and stability on the exposed crest. The physical demands of Crib Goch call for moderate fitness levels, sufficient to sustain 6 to 10 hours of effort encompassing steep ascents, descents, and prolonged , depending on pace and . Beyond , the route's significant exposure— with sheer drops on both sides—requires strong mental confidence and the ability to manage vertigo, as the psychological strain of the airy positions can intensify even for seasoned participants. Compared to other prominent UK scrambles, Crib Goch shares similarities with Striding Edge in the as a Grade 1 but stands out for its greater length, more pronounced pinnacles, and heightened commitment due to limited escape options.

Main routes and traverses

The East to West traverse of Crib Goch begins at Pen y Pass and follows the Pyg Track, ascending steadily before branching off onto the East , where scramblers encounter blocky slabs leading to the narrow knife-edge crest. This route, classified as a Grade 1 scramble, features the notable "bad step"—a short, exposed section requiring hands and feet for a brief down-climb to bypass a vertical drop, followed by a scramble up the other side with good holds but significant exposure on both flanks. The traverse continues along three pinnacles and the airy ridge proper, offering panoramic views before descending slightly to join the path toward Crib y Ddysgl. For a steeper and more direct approach, the North Ridge ascent starts from Bwlch y Moch, involving a rising path of rocky ledges and blocky slabs that demand careful footwork amid increasing exposure as it joins the main East Ridge near the . This variant provides a quieter alternative to the Pyg Track crowds, with the terrain transitioning from grassy slopes to more defined sections. Alternative ascents include routes from Nant Peris, such as via Cwm Beudu Mawr, which offers a longer, less technical approach through the valley before linking to the South Ridge variants for a gradual climb to the crest. These options allow access without relying on the popular Pen y Pass starting point, though they require navigation through broader terrain to reach the ridge. Crib Goch forms the easternmost section of the Horseshoe, a renowned circuit typically starting from Pen y Pass and traversing westward from Crib Goch via Crib y Ddysgl to and 's summit, before continuing eastward to Y Lliwedd for a full ridge loop. This integration highlights the ridge's role in a multi-summit adventure, with sustained Grade 1 linking the peaks. Descent options from Crib Goch or the Horseshoe typically follow the Miners' Track from near Llyn Llydaw, providing a straightforward path back to Pen y Pass, or the longer Llanberis Path from Snowdon's summit, which winds down through open slopes to the valley.

Safety and access

Hazards and fatalities

Crib Goch presents significant hazards primarily due to its extreme exposure, where the narrow ridge features steep drops on both sides, increasing the risk of fatal falls for those who slip or veer off the path. The terrain also includes loose on approaches and below the ridge, which can lead to uncontrolled slides, particularly on steeper sections. conditions exacerbate these dangers, with high winds amplifying instability on the exposed crest, rain rendering the polished rock surfaces slippery, and sudden drastically reducing visibility, often disorienting scramblers. Documented fatalities on Crib Goch average between 1 and 3 per year, contributing to the roughly 8 annual deaths across the broader range, according to statements from the Team. Using visitor data from 2007-2018, this equates to an estimated fatality rate of approximately 1 death per 30,000 passes, though total incidents encompass not only falls but also slips, cragfast situations (where individuals become immobilized by fear), and occasional heart attacks from exertion. The team reports around 12 cragfast incidents annually on the ridge alone, with over 200 callouts yearly related to activities. Most fatalities and serious incidents occur directly on the ridge or at challenging features like the "bad step"—a notorious rock obstacle requiring careful navigation—highlighting patterns of slips in windy or wet conditions. For instance, in August 2025, a 36-year-old man died after falling from the ridge while scrambling with his dog. These events affect a range of scramblers, from novices who underestimate the exposure and become cragfast to more experienced individuals who suffer fatal falls when attempting to bypass difficult sections or wandering into loose terrain below the crest. The Llanberis team emphasizes that falls from the ridge typically result in death due to the precipitous drops, underscoring the route's unforgiving nature even for prepared parties.

Preparation and access routes

Visiting Crib Goch demands thorough preparation, particularly in terms of and technical skills, as the route involves sustained exposure and demanding terrain. Participants should possess good overall fitness, including strong balance and endurance, and prior experience with easier scrambles such as Striding Edge in the or Sharp Edge in the to build confidence in exposed positions. A solid head for heights is essential due to the steep drops on either side of the ridge, and traveling in a group with at least one experienced member is strongly advised to enhance safety and provide mutual support during challenging sections. Essential equipment includes sturdy, grippy boots to handle rocky and potentially slippery surfaces, with a recommended to protect against loose stones dislodged by other users. In winter conditions, which can persist into spring, full winter kit such as crampons and an is necessary to manage snow and ice hazards. Additionally, a comprehensive kit should encompass waterproof and windproof clothing, gloves, a , sufficient and water, and sun protection. Weather must be checked in advance using the Met Office's specialist mountain forecast for , avoiding the route in high winds, heavy rain, or poor visibility, as these can render the scramble extremely dangerous. Access to the base of Crib Goch primarily begins at the Pen y Pass car park, situated at the start of the Pyg Track, which serves as the most common approach route. This fee-based facility requires pre-booking during peak seasons (April to November), with charges starting at £20 for up to eight hours, £30 for eight to twelve hours, and £40 for a full day; pay-and-display operates outside this period on a first-come, first-served basis. As an alternative to driving, the Sherpa'r Wyddfa bus service provides reliable transport from , with low-floor accessible vehicles running frequently during the season. Eryri regulations mandate adherence to parking rules to prevent congestion, including quick drop-offs and no vehicle sharing of spaces, while prohibiting littering to maintain the area's pristine environment—visitors must carry out all waste, as no bins are provided on the trails. Effective navigation is critical given the remote and rugged nature of the terrain; the (OS) OL17 map or the OS Maps app, which supports offline use and live tracking, is recommended and endorsed by for accurate route-finding. In emergencies, dial 999 and request , providing a precise grid reference from your map or app to expedite response— 999 is an option if voice calls are impossible due to signal issues. Environmental responsibility is paramount in Eryri (Snowdonia) , where visitors are required to follow principles to preserve the fragile ecosystem. This includes planning ahead to minimize impact, camping only in designated sites if overnighting, removing all and belongings (noting that park authorities collect hundreds of bags annually from trails), respecting by staying on paths, and being considerate of other users and local communities to ensure sustainable access for future generations.

References

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