Hi Merrian, let us know if you plan to come up to Arans, favourite training ground of mine and loads of routes over there, can give you some ideas. Great range of hills. Matt.

Merrian - well, I was wrong - higher temperatures on the Aran ridge these past two nights have softened the snow, so it was doable without axes and crampons, if something of a trudge. We had the axes out, but mostly for form. However, the clag was well down and you wouldn't have had any views, so possibly not worth driving a long way for anyway; we're only 40 miles away. Tomorrow will be the same, I think. I hope you manage to get up here and enjoy the Arans on a clear day.
For info, we did a circuit up from Blaen Pennant (905216), up to Foel Hafod-fynydd, then up the Ddafad-ddu (black sheep) ramp to gain the main ridge. Over Fawddwy, then past the memorial, over the Drysgol ridge, and down via Cwm Dyniewyd, past a rather magnificent and little-known waterfall. Good luck.

Thanks John, that confirms our decision to postpone our trip for another time.

Merrian - I'm likely to be going to the Arans this weekend, and will certainly be carrying, and probably using, ice axe and crampons. As you'll know, Aran Fawddwy is just a gnat's whisker under 3000 ft; there's been lots of snow and it freezes hard every night - the summit ridge will have ice and neve. We needed crampons on the Berwyns last week, which are a couple of hundred feet lower. You'll probably live if you go without gear and are careful with the route, but it would be irresponsible. Janet Pitt-Lewis will confirm that we were up in Snowdonia last Saturday, and everyone we saw was properly equipped.

We?re hoping to tackle some Arans this weekend. Can any locals tell me what the underfoot conditions are like at the moment please? I?m a southern softie, so can cope with heavy mud and icy puddles, but don?t have crampons or ice axe.