Adloniant awyr agored yn Eryri Outdoor recreation in Snowdonia
Gwanwyn 2012 Spring
AM DDIM FREE
I’w ddarllen â theclyn darllen côd bar For use with a smartphone bar code scanner
Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR ffôn / telephone: 01286 685498 e-bost / email: info@snowdonia-society. org.uk
Sefydlwyd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 1967 a’i nod yw sicrhau fod harddwch ac amrywiaeth tirwedd, bywyd gwyllt ac etifeddiaeth ddiwylliannol y Parc Cenedlaethol yn parhau er mwynhad cenedlaethau’r presennol a’r dyfodol. ~ The Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, works to ensure the beauty and diversity of the National Park’s landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage remain for present and future generations to enjoy.
Spread the word!
Rhowch y gair ar led Beth fyddwch chi’n wneud â’ch hen gylchgronau ar ôl eu darllen? Beth am ein cynorthwyo i roi’r gair ar led am Gymdeithas Eryri trwy adael eich hen gylchgronau yn eich meddygfa leol neu mewn ystafell aros arall?
Gaeaf
What do you do with your old magazines when you have finished with them? Why not help us spread the word about the Snowdonia Society by taking take them to your local doctor’s surgery or other waiting room?
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B Ado ioamry lygia w d y iaeth a Flw ydd c Eryri yn 2 ~ 010 Biodiv /11 e ~ Re rsity a view nd S of th nowd o e Ye ar 2 nia 010 /11
Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society Magazine
www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk www.snowdonia-society.org.uk elusen gof. rhif / reg. charity no.: 253231 Swyddogion ac Ymddiriedolwyr Officers and Trustees Llywydd / President: Dr John Disley CBE Is-Lywyddion / Vice-Presidents: Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, Sir Simon Jenkins FSA, John Lloyd Jones OBE, David Firth, Morag McGrath. Cadeirydd / Chair: Dr David Lewis Is-gadeirydd / Vice-Chair: David Archer Trysorydd anrh. / Hon. Treasurer: Helen Dale Ysgrifennydd Anrh. / Hon. Secretary: Marc Thomas Swyddog Datblygu / Development Officer: Ar agor / Vacant Aelodau’r pwyllgor / Committee members: Netti Collister, Katherine Himsworth, Bob Lowe, Bernard Owen, Gareth Roberts, Ned Schärer, Margaret Thomas, Elwyn Thomas, Rhian Thomas, Peter Weston, Richard Williams-Ellis. Os hoffech gysylltu ag unrhyw aelod o’r pwyllgor ffoniwch y swyddfa. If you would like to contact any of the committee members please phone the office. Staff Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol / Acting Director: Sarah Medcalf Gweinyddwraig Swyddfa / Office Administrator: Frances Smith Rheolwr Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri / Conservation Snowdonia Project Manager: Bea Kelsall Swyddogion Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri / Conservation Snowdonia Project Officers: Jenny Whitmore & Mike Klymko Cyfieithu / Translation: Gareth Jones Clawr / Cover: Extreme kayaking / Caiacio eithafol - Rhaeadr Pont Gyfyng Falls, Capel Curig © Plas y Brenin Image Library
Helpwch ni a’r amgylchedd! Am resymau amgylcheddol - ac ariannol! - dymunwn gynnig fersiwn electroneg o’n cylchgrawn i chi. Os hoffech gael e-rifynnau yn hytrach na’r fersiwn papur, cysylltwch â ni.
Help us and help the environment! In an effort to reduce our environmental impact - and our costs! - we encourage members to opt to receive an electronic version of our magazine and events information. If you would be happy to do so, let us know!
Cynnwys • Contents Golygyddol Y Padlwr Dŵr Gwyn Beicio Mynydd Draw Dros y Bryniau Dringo Creigiau Pysgota yn Eryri Y 3000 Cymru Beicwraig ar ei Phen ei Hun Dod i Adnabod Adar Mynydd Adfywio Beth? Does Dim a’m Rhwystra… Taith Gerdded Wahanol Eryri Tanddaearol Y Sector Awyr Agored Llwybrau at Waith yn yr Awyr Agored Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri - Adroddiad Polisi ac Ymgyrchoedd Llythyrau
3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22 23 23-24 24-25 24-25 26-27 28-29 30
Editorial The Whitewater Paddler Mountain Biking Over the Hills and Far Away The Rock Climber Fishing in Snowdonia The Fourteen Peaks The Solitary Cyclist Getting to Grips with Mountain Birds Recreating What? Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me… A Ramble with a Difference Snowdonia Underground The Outdoor Sector Pathways to Employment Outdoors Conservation Snowdonia Project Report Policy and Campaigns Letters
Dyma gylchgrawn swyddogol Cymdeithas Eryri. Caiff ei gyhoeddi bob chwe mis a’i ddosbarthu i aelodau’r gymdeithas yn rhad ac am ddim. Gofynnwch os hoffech chi gael unrhyw erthyglau mewn fformat print bras. This is the official magazine of the Snowdonia Society, distributed free to its members twice a year. Please ask if you would like the text of any articles in a larger print format.
Golygyddol • Editorial Ar adeg ysgrifennu hwn, mae Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri ar fin cyhoeddi drafft ymgynghorol o Strategaeth Hamdden ar gyfer y Parc Cenedlaethol. Mae’n addas felly fod y rhifyn hwn yn dathlu’r amrywiaeth o weithgareddau hamdden sydd ar gael yn Eryri. Yr oedd cliciau bychain o bysgotwyr a dringwyr creigiau yn bodoli pan sefydlwyd y Parc Cenedlaethol yn 1951, ond roedd beicio’n fwy o ddull teithio na gweithgaredd hamdden, ac yn gyffredinol, yr oedd hamdden awyr agored yn golygu cerdded mynyddoedd. Ers hynny, tyfodd y diddordeb mewn chwaraeon adrenalin megis caiacio dŵr gwyn, syrffio gwynt, paragleidio, beicio mynydd a dringo creigiau, ac mewn digwyddiadau cystadleuol egnïol megis rhedeg mynyddoedd, treiathlon a rasys antur. Ar yr un pryd, mae gwell rhwydwaith ffyrdd, yn enwedig traffordd yr A55, wedi arwain at gynnydd anferth yn nifer yr ymwelwyr dydd a ddaw i fwynhau’r golygfeydd, siopa neu gael picnic, a byddant yn ceisio teithiau cerdded lefel isel byr. Fodd bynnag, cerdded mynydd yw’r gweithgaredd sy’n denu’r nifer fwyaf o ymwelwyr, a’r Wyddfa sy’n cael y rhan fwyaf ohonynt. Mae’r cynnydd hwn mewn gweithgarwch hamdden ymwelwyr a phreswylwyr wedi dod â swyddi a masnach i bentrefi o fewn y Parc ac ar ei gyrion, ond y pris i’w dalu am hyn yw problemau parcio, erydu llwybrau troed ac ysbwriel. Serch hynny, o ystyried y lefelau cynyddol o ordewdra, mae mwynhau’r awyr agored yn rhywbeth llesol yn sicr.
At the time of writing, the Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) is due to publish a consultation draft of the Recreation Strategy for the National Park. It is therefore appropriate that this issue is devoted to celebrating the variety of recreational opportunities in Snowdonia. When the Park was created in 1951 there were small coteries of fishermen and rock climbers, but cycling was as much a means of transport as a sport and, in general, outdoor recreation implied hill walking. There has since been an explosion of interest in adrenalin sports including whitewater kayaking, wind surfing, paragliding and mountain biking as well as rock climbing, and in strenuous competitive events such as fell running, triathlons and adventure races. At the same time, an improved road network, especially the A55 expressway, has led to a huge increase in day visitors coming simply to sightsee, shop or picnic and looking for short low level walks. However, hill walking is still the activity that attracts the greatest number of visitors, with Snowdon bearing the brunt. This increase in recreational activity by both residents and visitors has brought jobs and trade to villages within and on the fringes of the Park, but these come at a price, including parking problems, footpath erosion and litter. Nonetheless, amidst soaring levels of obesity and depression, enjoyment of the outdoors can only be a good thing.
Cynhyrchwyd y cylchgrawn hwn gan dîm golygyddol yn cynnwys Rob Collister, Frances Smith a Sarah Medcalf. Rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar i’r holl awduron a ffotograffwyr sydd wedi cyfrannu at y rhifyn hwn. Cofiwch mai safbwyntiau personol yr awduron sy’n cael mynegi ganddynt, ac nid ydynt o reidrwydd yn adlewyrchu polisi Cymdeithas Eryri.
The magazine is produced by an editorial panel of Rob Collister, Frances Smith and Sarah Medcalf. We are extremely grateful to all the authors and photographers who have contributed to this issue. The views expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect Snowdonia Society policy.
The outdoor activity boom has not occurred without conflict, Nid yw’r cynnydd hwn mewn usually with landowners but gweithgareddau awyr agored wedi sometimes between user digwydd heb wrthdaro, fel arfer groups. Local Access Forums, â thirfeddianwyr ond weithiau organisations such as the British rhwng grwpiau defnyddwyr. Mountaineering Council and Mae Fforymau Mynediad Lleol, Snowdonia Active and the liaison sefydliadau megis Cyngor Mynydda work of SNPA’s wardens have Prydain ac Eryri Bywiol a gwaith all played an important part in cyswllt wardeiniaid Awdurdod reducing this. More worrying Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri oll wedi has been the proliferation of chwarae rhan bwysig yn y gwaith noise-polluting activities which o leihau hyn. Fodd bynnag, mae Tinwen y Garn - ymwelwr yr haf i fynyddoedd Prydain impinge on others’ enjoyment, cynnydd gweithgareddau swnllyd Wheatear - a summer visitor to the mountains of Britain © Malcolm Griffith whether water skiing and jet iawn sy’n amharu ar fwynhad pobl boating on Llyn Gerionydd eraill yn ddatblygiad sy’n achosi and Afon Conwy, illegal trials biking in the Moelwynion and pryder, boed hynny’n sgïo dŵr a chychod jet ar Lyn Geirionydd northern Carneddau or the increasing use of helicopters for ac Afon Conwy, beiciau modur treialon anghyfreithlon yn y scenic flights and filming as well as by the military, police and Moelwynion a gogledd y Carneddau neu’r defnydd cynyddol o air ambulance. It all seems a far cry from the original stated hofrenyddion i fwynhau golygfeydd a ffilmio, yn ogystal â rhai’r aims for the park to preserve and enhance the natural beauty lluoedd arfog, yr heddlu a’r Ambiwlans Awyr. Mae’n ymddangos of Snowdonia and promote enjoyment of it by the public. yn wahanol iawn i nodau gwreiddiol y Parc o ddiogelu a Nowadays the Park Authority also has a duty to foster the social gwella harddwch naturiol Eryri a hyrwyddo mwynhad gan y and economic wellbeing of local communities, and is expected cyhoedd. Bellach, mae gan Awdurdod y Parc gyfrifoldeb am to promote biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services, les economaidd a chymdeithasol cymunedau lleol; cadwraeth, and conserve and enhance cultural heritage and the built bioamrywiaeth a darparu gwasanaethau ecosystem; ac am environment of the area. Should we be surprised if some feel dreftadaeth ddiwylliannol ac amgylchedd adeiledig yr ardal. that natural beauty and quiet enjoyment sometimes fall by the A yw'n syndod os bydd rhai'n teimlo bod harddwch naturiol a wayside? mwynhad tawel yn mynd ar goll?
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Y Padlwr ^ Gwyn Dwr Martin Chester
Yr hyn sy’n apelio i mi am gaiacio dŵr gwyllt yw llif corfforol cyfres o symudiadau wedi’u hamseru’n ofalus a gwefr cyflymder, wedi’i gydbwyso â materion mwy ymenyddol fel datrys problemau a pheryglon. Mae’n goctel caethiwus, a phan gaiff ei gyfuno â’r amheuon a’r ansicrwydd y byddwn yn eu cysylltu â byd natur, caiff y gwobrwyon eu hamlhau. Wedi’n trochi yn y foment, gallwn ddianc rhag amserlenni a rhestrau a dyddiadau cau bywyd pob dydd, a dawnsio i rythmau cloc pwysicach. Amrywiaeth yw’r allwedd i boblogrwydd Eryri ymhlith caiacwyr. Mae pob math o afonydd: cilfachau serth yn y mynyddoedd uchel, lle bydd y dyfroedd yn chwalu a phlymio wrth rasio o’r awyr i lawr y dyffryn; rhaeadrau sy’n mynnu cywirdeb a sgiliau gan bysgod a phadlwyr fel ei gilydd, lle bydd cychod yn llithro dros slabiau craigwely ac yn gwibio i lawr cerrig muchudd du i blymio i byllau ewynnog; cynnwrf chwyddedig, siarp yr afonydd mawnaidd yn cario staen brown draeniad gweundirol; ceunentydd dwfn, gormesol, lle mae llednentydd yn llifo i mewn gan gyfuno i greu prawf stamina ar gyfer breichiau blinedig; ac afonydd aeddfed, amyneddgar, sy’n cadw eu dŵr am ddyddiau, ymhell wedi i’r glaw beidio, ac wedi i'r haul ailymddangos. Mae chwaraeon antur sy’n elwa o ddiwydiant a pheirianneg yn brin, ond mae argae Tryweryn yn eithriad. Bydd yn cynnig llif dibynadwy a rhagweladwy o ddŵr pan gaiff ei agor, ac mae wedi dod yn fan cyfarfod byd enwog ar gyfer rasio. Er bod boddi pentref i ddiogelu cyflenwadau dŵr Lerpwl yn dal yn fater dadleuol, mae’r ganolfan chwaraeon dŵr wedi dod â swyddi a masnach i’r Bala. Efallai fod grym y dŵr a heriau’r clwydi slalom yn artiffisial, ond mae llond ysgyfaint o ymdrech am 180 eiliad wrth i chi gerfio, tynnu, colli eich gwynt, erlid a hongian drwy drwch blewyn yn wefr go iawn, fel bod ar reid mewn ffair. Os bydd lefelau’r dŵr yn isel yn y mynyddoedd neu os na fydd afon Tryweryn yn cael ei gollwng, bydd yr arfordir ar gael. Caiff llanwau pwerus eu gwasgu trwy Gulfor Menai ac o amgylch
Cwymp cyffrous ar Afon Llugwy • An exciting drop on Afon Llugwy © Plas y Brenin Image Library
pentiroedd Ynys Môn. Bydd y dyfroedd yn troelli a rhuthro mewn egerau, tonnau sefydlog a throbyllau. Ddwywaith y dydd, bydd y môr yn cynnig dewis helaeth o donnau chwareus a ffrydiau ar gyfer diwrnod o gaiacio difyr yng Ngogledd Cymru, hyd yn oed pan feth popeth arall. Fel padlwr, gallwch drefnu’n hyderus i ymweld ag Eryri unrhyw bryd, ond byddwch yn barod i adael i natur benderfynu’n union i ble byddwch yn mynd.
Martin Chester yw Cyfarwyddwr Hyfforddiant Plas y Brenin, Y Ganolfan Fynydda Genedlaethol, ac mae’n Hyfforddwr Lefel 5 Undeb Canŵio Prydain mewn Caiacio Dŵr Gwyn, ymhlith cymwysterau eraill. Bydd Plas y Brenin yn rhedeg sawl math o gyrsiau caiacio trwy gydol y flwyddyn.
Awydd padlo? Yn ystod haf 2012, byddai Cymdeithas Eryri yn hoffi trefnu digwyddiad hanner diwrnod yn aber afon Dwyryd gyda hyfforddwr cymwys fel cyflwyniad hawdd i ganŵio cwch agored. Cysylltwch â Sarah os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn ymuno â ni. Sylwer y codir tâl am y gweithgaredd hwn. Fancy a paddle? In summer 2012 the Snowdonia Society would like to organise a gentle introduction to open boat canoeing with a half-day outing with a trained instructor on the Dwyryd estuary. Please contact Sarah if you are interested in joining us. Note there will be a cost for this activity. sarah@snowdonia-society.org.uk
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01286 685498
Outdoor recreation
The Whitewater Paddler
Martin Chester
The appeal of whitewater kayaking for me lies in the physical flow of a carefully timed sequence of moves and the thrill of speed, balanced against the more cerebral issues of problem solving and risk. This is an addictive cocktail and, when combined with the doubt and uncertainty we associate with nature, the rewards are multiplied. Immersed in the moment, we can escape the schedules and lists and deadlines of everyday life, and dance to the rhythm of a greater clock. Variety is the key to Snowdonia’s popularity with kayakers. There are all sorts of rivers: steep creeks in the high mountains, where the waters crash and plummet through the rocks in their race from sky to valley floor; waterfalls requiring accuracy and skill from fish and paddlers alike, where boats slide over bedrock slabs and fly down inky black jets to plunge into foaming pools; the swollen, pungent turbulence of peaty rivers carrying the brown stain of moorland drainage; deep, oppressive gorges where commitment often
outweighs technical demands for the nervous paddler; lower valleys where tributaries pouring in combine to create a test of stamina for tiring arms; and mature, patient rivers that hold their water for days, long after the rain has stopped and the sun has reappeared. It is rare for an adventure sport to benefit from industry and engineering, but the damming of the Tryweryn is an exception. It provides a reliable and predictable flow of water when released and has become a racing venue of international renown. Although the drowning of a village to safeguard a water supply for Liverpool is understandably still an emotive issue, the watersports centre has brought jobs and trade to Bala. The power of the water and the challenges set by slalom gates might be artificial, but the thrill of 180 seconds of lung busting effort in a carving, pulling, panting, chasing, hanging in just by the seat of your pants, roller coaster ride is very, very real.
there is always the coast. Powerful tides are squeezed through the confines of the Menai Straits and around the headlands of Anglesey. The waters buckle and surge in tide races, standing waves and whirlpools. Twice a day the flowing sea offers a plethora of play waves and jets to reward a day out kayaking in North Wales even if all else fails. As a paddler, you can confidently make a date with Snowdonia, just be prepared to let Mother Nature decide exactly where you will end up. Martin Chester is Director of Training at Plas y Brenin, National Centre for Mountain Activities, and is a British Canoe Union Level 5 Coach in Whitewater Kayaking amongst other qualifications. Plas y Brenin runs many different kayaking courses throughout the year.
If water levels are low in the mountains and the Tryweryn is not being released, Dŵr gwyllt ar afon Tryweryn • Wild water on the Tryweryn © Plas y Brenin Image Library
Adloniant awyr agored
Beicio Mynydd Sian Roberts
Yr wyf wedi byw yn Eryri ar hyd fy oes. Yn ystod y 25 mlynedd diwethaf, yr wyf wedi bod yn feiciwr mynydd ac wedi bod yn ddigon ffodus i fod wedi tystio, i fod wedi bod yn rhan ac i fod wedi elwa o ddatblygiad beicio mynydd o fewn y Parc Cenedlaethol. Yn y dechrau, arferwn feicio ar hyd hen draciau a llwybrau ceffylau a groesai mannau gwyllt y parc, yn yr hen chwareli llechi ac ar y rhwydwaith o ffyrdd ar dir y Comisiwn Coedwigaeth. Teimlid ymdeimlad enfawr o antur wrth fwrw iddi â map Arolwg Ordnans i ddarganfod llwybrau newydd, heb wybod a oeddent yn dal i fodoli hyd yn oed, neu a fyddai modd reidio arnynt ar ôl eu darganfod. Yr oedd sicrwydd o gael diwrnod gwych a digon o gyfle am feicio heriol a gwerth chweil ynghanol golygfeydd godidog a hardd. Yn ystod yr 1990au cynnar, daeth beicio mynydd yn fwyfwy poblogaidd, ac yr oedd y nifer o bobl a ddeuai i Eryri am benwythnos o feicio yn cynyddu’n gyflym. Ar y pryd, yr oedd Dafydd a minnau’n ddigon ffodus o gael teithio i bedwar ban byd i rasio beiciau mynydd,
a sylweddolasom ei fod yn anodd dod o hyd i lefydd da i reidio mewn ardal anghyfarwydd, oherwydd mae gwybodaeth leol yn cyfrif llawer iawn. Yr oeddem hefyd yn rhedeg busnes llogi beiciau yng nghanolfan ymwelwyr Coed y Brenin, a chredem y byddai’n syniad da creu rhwydwaith o lwybrau beicio â chyfeirbwyntiau yn y goedwig i ddarparu ar gyfer y mewnlifiad o feicwyr. Datblygwyd y cysyniad hwn trwy Gymdeithas Beiciau Mynydd Gogledd Cymru, a ganwyd y syniad o greu canolfan llwybrau beicio mynydd pwrpasol.
rannu a mwynhau llawer ohonynt. Cred rhai pobl fod canolfannau llwybrau beicio mynydd wedi lladd elfen fforio beicio mynydd, ond mewn gwirionedd, maent wedi cynnig rhywbeth i’w wneud ar ddiwrnod penodol. Byddai’r rhan fwyaf o feicwyr yn dewis canolfannau llwybrau beicio mynydd, sy’n beth da, oherwydd ni allai’r hen lwybrau ymdopi â nifer y beicwyr. I mi, dyma sy’n gwneud Eryri yn un o’r llefydd gorau i fyw ynddo ym Mhrydain. Yr ydym yn ffodus o gael y gorau o ddau fyd llwybrau pwrpasol i’r miloedd sy’n teithio yma â’u beiciau mynydd bob blwyddyn (ac ar gyfer y diwrnodau gwlyb hynny) a’r llwybrau naturiol hynny sydd llawn cystal, ac sy’n dal ar gael i’r sawl sy’n dymuno mwynhau ychydig o anturiaeth ymhell o’r torfeydd.
Fe wnaeth llwyddiant enfawr Coed y Brenin arwain ymhen dim at ddatblygu canolfannau eraill, a bellach, mae mwy na chwe deg o ganolfannau pwrpasol o’r fath yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae’r rheswm dros lwyddiant y canolfannau hyn yn syml - byddwch yn sicr o gael cyfle gwych i reidio a gwên ar Magwyd Sian Roberts ym eich wyneb, waeth beth fo’r Mhenrhyndeudraeth, ac yr oedd yn tywydd – sy’n bwysig iawn yn redwraig mynydd yn wreiddiol, ond yn fuan, Eryri! Mae cyfeirbwyntiau’n dechreuodd ragori ym maes beicio mynydd, golygu nad oes angen sgiliau a chynrychiolodd dîm Prydain am nifer o darllen map ac mae natur y flynyddoedd. Gyda’i gŵr, Dafydd, a Sion Parry llwybrau sengl yn golygu y gall sefydlodd Beics Betws ym Metws y Coed dechreuwyr a beicwyr profiadol cyn mynd ati i ddatblygu’r ganolfan feicio mynydd a’r caffi gwreiddiol yng Nghoed y Brenin. Mae hi a Dafydd wrthi’n troi hen ysgoldy ym Mronaber yn llety hunanarlwyo ar gyfer beicwyr mynydd ar hyn o bryd.
Ar lwybr Coed y Brenin • On a Coed y Brenin trail © Jo Collister
Outdoor recreation
Mountain Biking Sian Roberts
Sian Raberts a’i gŵr Dafydd, canol • Sian Roberts and her husband Dafydd, centre © Jo Collister
I have lived in Snowdonia all my life. For the last 25 years I have been a mountain biker and have been lucky enough to have witnessed, been a part of and benefited from the development of mountain biking within the National Park. In the beginning all my riding was on old tracks and bridleways criss-crossing the wild places within the Park, in old slate quarries and on the network of roads on Forestry Commission land. There was a great sense of adventure setting off with an Ordnance Survey map to discover new trails, never sure if what you were searching for still existed even, or if it would be rideable once found. You were guaranteed a great day out with plenty of challenging and rewarding riding surrounded by dramatic and beautiful scenery. During the early 1990s, mountain biking became more and more popular and the number of people coming into Snowdonia for a weekend's riding was growing rapidly. At the time Dafydd and I were lucky enough to be travelling all over the world mountain bike racing and we had become aware that it was difficult
to find good riding in an area you didn't know as so much comes down to local knowledge. We were also running a bike hire business at the Coed y Brenin visitor centre and thought it would be good to create waymarked bike trails within the forest to cater for the influx of riders. This concept was developed through the North Wales Mountain Bike Association and the idea of a dedicated mountain bike trail centre was born. The huge success of Coed y Brenin soon led to the development of other places and there are now over sixty such dedicated centres in the UK. The reason for the success of trail centres is simple, you are guaranteed great riding that will put a smile on your face whatever the weather - very important in Snowdonia! Waymarking means no navigational skills are needed and the nature of the single
tracks means that relative beginners and expert riders can often share and enjoy the same trails. Some people feel that trail centres have eliminated the exploratory element of mountain biking, but in fact they have merely given us a choice of what to do on any given day. Most riders choose the trail centres, which is probably a good thing, as our treasured old-style trails couldn't cope with the volume of traffic. For me, this is what makes Snowdonia one of the best places to live in Britain. We are lucky to have the best of both worlds - excellent purpose-made trails for the thousands who travel here with their mountain bikes every year (and for all those wet days) and the equally good natural riding that is still out there for those who like a bit more of an adventure away from the crowds.
Brought up in Penrhyndeudraeth, Sian Roberts was originally a fell runner but soon excelled at mountain biking, representing Great Britain for a number of years. With her husband, Dafydd, and Sion Parry she founded Beics Betws in Betws y Coed before moving on to develop the original trail centre and cafe in Coed y Brenin. She and Dafydd are currently converting an old schoolhouse at Bronaber into a guest-house catering for mountain bikers.
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Adloniant awyr agored
Draw Dros y Bryniau Rob Collister
Chi sy’n penderfynu sut beth ydi rhedeg mynyddoedd. Gall fod yn ddim mwy na champ athletaidd; gall hefyd fod yn fath o fynydda sydd yr un mor werth chweil â disgyblaethau eraill. I mi, mae’n cynnig math o ryddid personol na all cerdded na dringo â rhaffau eu cynnig. I rywun sydd â theulu, mae’n ffordd ddelfrydol o gadw’n heini a chael eich ysbrydoli gan yr uchelfannau pan fydd amser yn brin. Rhaid cyfaddef na fydd llawer o le i chi wneud cam gwag wrth redeg dros y copaon heb ddim llawer mwy na siaced i’ch cadw rhag y gwynt wedi ei chlymu o amgylch eich canol. Hyd yn oed mewn mannau cyfarwydd, yr wyf wedi camgymryd ar brydiau ac wedi dod adref yn rhynnu fel deilen neu bron iawn yn methu â chodi fy nhraed oherwydd diffyg bwyd. Ar adegau o’r fath, byddai troi fy ffêr wedi bod yn ddigwyddiad difrifol iawn. Er hynny, fel pob math arall o fynydda, mae’r gwobrwyon yn gorbwyso’r elfen o risg; ymwybyddiaeth ac ymdeimlad dwysach o annibyniaeth, heb son am y boddhad a deimlir wrth i’r endorffinau lifo.
Yn aml iawn, bydd cerddwyr ychydig yn ddirmygus o redwyr yn sgil eu triniaeth gafaliraidd o’r bryniau. Byddant yn dadlau na allwch weld llawer o’ch cwmpas. Mae’n wir, ni fyddwch yn sylwi ar lawer iawn, ac eithrio’r cerrig ger eich traed wrth ymlafnio i gyrraedd Bochlwyd neu lamu o graig i graig dros y Glyderau. Ond gall blinder ddwysáu canfyddiad, a bydd y golygfeydd yn llawer godidocach wedi’r ymdrech. Wrth frasgamu dros dywyrch gogledd y Carneddau neu hwylio mynd i lawr y grib hir o Foel Siabod i Ben y Gwryd, gwn, o fy rhan fy hun, y profiad o deimlo afiaith diolchgar sy’n brin iawn ar adegau eraill. Efallai na chaiff y golygfeydd, y seiniau a’r teimladau eu hamsugno ond am ysbaid, yn isganfyddol hyd yn oed, ond mae ganddynt effaith pwerus ac mae’r ymdeimlad afieithus o foddhad a ddaw yn sgil rhedeg ar y mynydd yn fwy na rhywbeth corfforol yn unig. Mae’n llonder ysbryd nas profir wrth redeg ar y ffordd, a daw o gân yr ehedydd yn y cymylau, acrobateg hamddenol y gigfran, disgleirdeb diferion glaw ar y borfa wedi
Rhedeg dros y Glyderau ar ôl gwaith • An after work run over the Glyderau © Rob Collister
cawod, meddalrwydd sbyngaidd migwyn o dan eich traed, gwyrddni disglair a goludog mwsogl polytrichum yn heulwen yr hwyr, neu guriad sydyn adenydd wrth i golomennod ruthro heibio mewn braw, â hebog tramor wrth eu sodlau. Caiff yr holl elfennau unigol hynny sy’n rhan o wead diwrnod ar y mynydd eu helaethu gan ymdrech ac amsugnad rhedeg. Collir llawer o fanylion y dirwedd wrth droedio trosti mor gyflym, ond bydd gan yr hyn a wnaiff argraff ddisyfydrwydd ac effaith sy’n anghyfarwydd i deithwyr llai anturus. Mae’n debycach i brofiad dringwr, a all sylwi ar glwstwr o grisialau mewn poced o’r graig, rhedynen fechan yn blaguro o gefn hollt, neu’r haenau yn y graig ger ei draed, ond prin iawn yw’r cyfle i oedi wrthynt.
Mae Rob Collister yn Arweinydd Mynydd Rhyngwladol ac yn gyn Ymddiriedolwr Cymdeithas Eryri.
Outdoor recreation
Over the Hills and Far Away Rob Collister
Fell running is what you make it. It can be just a branch of athletics; equally, it can be a form of mountaineering as rewarding as any other. For me, it provides a greater sense of personal freedom than either hill walking or roped climbing, and for the family man it is an ideal way of both taking exercise and garnering the inspiration of high places within a short time-frame.
Walkers are often a little scornful of runners for their cavalier treatment of the hills. You can’t see much of your surroundings, they argue. And it is true, you don’t notice much except the stones at your feet when you are grinding up to Bochlwyd or skipping from rock to rock over the Glyderau. But perception can be intensified by fatigue and views are all the more wonderful for the effort expended.
Admittedly, there is little room for error when you are running over the tops with no more than a windproof tied round the waist. Even on my home ground I have sometimes miscalculated and come home chilled to the marrow or scarcely able to put one foot in front of the other for lack of food. At such times a sprained ankle would have been serious indeed. Yet, as with all mountaineering, the element of risk is outweighed by the rewards; a heightened awareness and sense of independence, not to mention the tremendous well-being that follows when the endorphins kick in.
Striding out over the turf of the northern Carneddau or free-wheeling down the long ridge that leads from Moel Siabod to Pen y Gwryd, I, for one, know a grateful exuberance rarely felt at other times. Sights, sounds, sensations may be absorbed fleetingly, subliminally even, but they have a powerful effect and the bubbling sense of well-being that follows a mountain run goes beyond the merely physical. It is a gladness of spirit, never experienced running on a road, that grows out of the cloud song of skylarks, the casual acrobatics of a raven, the sparkle of rain drops on grass after a shower, the spongy softness of sphagnum
underfoot, the rich glowing green of polytrichum moss in evening sunlight, or the sudden clap of wings as terrified pigeons hurtle past, a peregrine in hot pursuit. All those individual strands that make up the texture of a mountain day are amplified by the effort and absorption of running. Much detail in the landscape fabric is missed by passing so swiftly over it, but that which registers has an immediacy and impact unknown to the more sedate traveller. It is more akin to the experience of the climber who may notice the cluster of crystals in a pocket, the tiny fern sprouting from the back of a crevice, the flow-banding in the rock at his feet, but is rarely in a position to linger over them. Rob Collister is an International Mountain Guide and a former Trustee of the Snowdonia Society.
Hoe haeddiannol i Jim Buckley, ar ôl rhedeg i fyny’r Garn • Jim Buckley taking y well-earned rest after running up Y Garn © Rob Collister
Adloniant awyr agored
Dringo Creigiau Libby Peter
Mae’n daith sy’n cychwyn â llinell ar ddarlun mewn arweinlyfr, neu lun sy’n tanio’r dychymyg. Wrth i’r daith fynd rhagddi, bydd ansicrwydd, ofn a llonder oll wedi’u cywasgu i ychydig gannoedd o droedfeddi neu lai o graig hynafol. Bydd agosatrwydd at bob twll a chornel a gaiff eu bodio gan ddwylo nerfus sy’n chwilio am le i afael. Bydd risgiau a pheryglon, yn wir, ond nid cymaint ag y byddai’r sawl nad ydynt ddringwyr yn ei amau. Yn bennaf, ceir heddwch a llonyddwch, ymwybyddiaeth ddyfnach o’ch bodolaeth a chysylltiad agos â thirwedd sy’n tyrru uwch eich pen. Ond pam y gwelir heidiau o ddringwyr yn Eryri ar benwythnosau? Mae’r ateb yn syml: amrywiaeth a hygyrchedd. Ble arall mewn ardal mor fechan, gewch chi amrywiaeth mor helaeth o greigiau, hen a newydd, pob un ohonynt â’u nodweddion arbennig i ddenu a diddori'r dringwr mwyaf craff? Ystyriwch y pentiroedd calchfaen sy’n ymwthio allan yn anghydweddol y tu hwnt i lannau tawel Llandudno, â’u lliw hufen cyfoethog a’u gwead llyfn, prin iawn yw’r agennau a allai eich achub petaech yn cwympo. Dyma bwrpas cod moeseg dringwyr, a ddatblygwyd dros nifer o flynyddoedd, sy’n caniatáu drilio’r graig a gludio bolltau amddiffynnol ynddi ar gyfer yr hyn a elwir yn ‘gampau dringo’. Llai o straen (a llai o ansicrwydd) ond rhagor o ymdrech corfforol, mae’n gamp syml a difyr, er bod yn well gan sawl dringwr chwlio am anturiaethau mwy heriol mewn mannau eraill. Mae Eryri’n enwog am ddringo traddodiadol, arddull sy’n parchu’r graig ac yn gadael ei hwyneb fel y mae. Wedi i’r dringwr cyntaf fachu rhywbeth mewn hollt i atal codwm, bydd yr ail yn ei ddadfachu
The Rock Climber
Mae Libby Peter yn Arweinydd Mynydd Rhyngwladol (IFMGA) ac yn bartner yn Llanberis Guides (www.llanberisguides.com). Mae’n ysgrifennu colofn reolaidd yng nghylchgrawn Climber a hi yw awdures Rock Climbing, a gyhoeddwyd gan Mountain Leader Training UK.
gan adael dim ond craith yma ac acw. Yn sicr, mae’n fwy difrifol ac weithiau’n rhywbeth i’w ofni, ond bob amser yn werth chweil. Mae’r cymoedd uchel yn gartref i greigiau enfawr – bydd angen awr neu ragor i’w cyrraedd, a bydd angen pedwar, pump neu hyd yn oed chwe hyd raff i’w dringo. Aiff y teithiau hyn yn ddwfn i hanes cynhyrfus llosgfynyddoedd ein cof daearegol: rhyolitau, andesitau, twffâu a thyffiau, wedi’u llunio’n nerthol a’u hailffurfio’n ffyrnig gan ystodau o rew, amser maith yn ôl. Yma, bydd y dringwr yn gweu ei ffordd drwy le a fyddai’n baradwys i fotanegwyr, i gael golwg freintiedig ar dormeini a mwsoglau alpaidd ar uchder mawr, tra bydd cigfrain chwilfrydig a brain coesgoch chwareus yn cadw golwg arno. Ond pan ddaw’r glaw, bydd dringwyr yn dianc o’r mynyddoedd gwlyb i’r gogledd, i’r de neu i’r gorllewin, i’r Gogarth, Tremadog a Phen Llŷn, i leoedd ar gwartsit, dolerit a siâl yn llygad yr haul, wedi’u ffurfio gan y môr - golau disglair ar foroedd gwyrdd, lle bydd gwylogod yn sgimio, a dringfeydd yn llawn eiliadau lle bydd eich calon yn eich gwddf, creu argraff barhaol arnoch. Os ydych yn dal heb eich perswadio, dewch i brofi’r gamp. Dewch i brofi hyfrydwch syml craig gynnes ac enbydrwydd unigryw, ond cofiwch: mae dringo’n gyffur, yn union fel bryniau a chlogwyni Eryri.
Libby Peter
It’s a journey that begins with a line on a picture in a guidebook, or a photo that sparks the imagination. Along the way, as the journey unfolds, there’s uncertainty, fear and exhilaration compressed into a few hundred feet or less of ancient rock. There’s an intimacy with every nook and cranny explored by nervous fingers in search of handholds. Yes there’s risk and danger, but not so much as nonclimbing folk suspect. Mostly there’s peace and calm, a heightened sense of who you really are and a close connection to the landscape that you’re dwarfed by. But why do you see droves of climbers in Snowdonia at the weekends? The answer is simple: diversity and accessibility. Where else within a circumference drawn so small can you find such a variety of rocks, young and old, each with its own peculiar trait to entice and entertain even the most discerning climber. Take the limestone headlands that jut incongruously beyond the quietly lapping shores of Llandudno, the colour of rich cream with a texture as smooth, the cracks where you might lodge some protection against a fall are few and far between. Hence the climbers’ code of ethics, developed over many years, which allows for drilling and gluing-in of protection bolts in the rock to provide what’s known as ‘sport climbing’. Low stress (less of that uncertainty) but high physical exertion, it’s simple and fun and good sport, although many climbers will prefer to seek more complicated adventure elsewhere. Traditional or ‘trad’ climbing is the hallmark of Snowdonia, a style that’s respectful of the rock and leaves its skin intact. What the lead climber may place in fissures to protect a fall, the second will
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remove to leave no trace but a scratch here and there. It’s certainly more serious and sometimes scary but always deeply rewarding. The high mountain cwms cradle cliffs of grand proportion - an hour or more to walk in and four, five or even six rope lengths to complete just one climb. These journeys delve into the turbulent volcanic history of our geological memory: rhyolites, andesites, tufas and tuffs, violently born and aggressively re-shaped by swathes of ice, long ago. Here the climber weaves a way through a botanist's paradise with a privileged view of high altitude saxifrage and alpine mosses while spied on by curious raven and playful chough. But when the rain falls, climbers scurry away from sodden mountains heading north, south or west to Gogarth, Tremadog and Llŷn, in search of sea-sculpted suntraps on quartzite, dolerite and shale, bright light on green seas, where guillemots skim, and climbs brimming with heart-stopping moments that imprint lasting memories. If you’re still not convinced, try it for yourself. Experience the simple delight of warm rock and unique exposure, but be warned: climbing is an addictive business, as are the hills and crags of Snowdonia.
Libby Peter is an International Mountain Guide (IFMGA) and a partner in Llanberis Guides (www. llanberisguides.com). She writes a regular column in Climber magazine and is the author of Rock Climbing, published by Mountain Leader Training UK.
Mae gan ogledd Cymru etheg a threftadaeth dringo traddodiadol sy’n denu dringwyr o bob rhan o’r byd i ddringo ar glogwyni megis Dinas Cromlech ym Mwlch Llanberis. North Wales has a traditional climbing ethic and heritage that attracts climbers from around the world to climb on crags such as Dinas Cromlech in the Llanberis Pass. © Ray Wood 9
Adloniant awyr agored
Pysgota yn Eryri Pierino Algieri
Yr wyf yn bysgotwr brwd ers 35 mlynedd, ac wedi ymddiddori’n bennaf mewn pysgota bras, gan ddefnyddio plu pysgota artiffisial i ddenu brithyll brown gwyllt, eog a sewin i’m rhwyd. Yn ystod fy nyddiau cynnar, Llyn Brenig oedd y ffefryn i ddal brithyll ac afon Conwy o amgylch Llanrwst i ymlid eog gwyllt a sewin mudol. Pan gychwynnais bysgota yng nghanol y saithdegau, byddwn yn manteisio ar bob cyfle i fod allan yn yr afon neu ar lan y llyn. Yng nghanol yr wythdegau, darganfyddais y gamp o bysgota sewin, oedd yn golygu mynd allan a hithau’n dywyll fel y fagddu a’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn mynd i’w gwelyau - rhydio yn afon Conwy gefn trymedd nos, castio fy mhluen bysgota ar draws pyllau llydan, a disgwyl dal sewin gwyllt ar unrhyw adeg. Dychmygwch fod mewn tywyllwch dudew, eich synhwyrau’n effro i unrhyw sain neu symudiad o’ch amgylch, ac yna, andros o dyniad wrth i’r bluen fachu’r sewin - bydd y dŵr yn ffrwydro, bydd y pysgodyn yn ceisio dianc, gan neidio allan o’r dŵr, â’i gynffon yn chwyrndroi fel sgriw. Delir rhai, collir y mwyafrif. Bydd pysgota sewin fel cyffur pan fyddwch wedi bachu’r cyntaf - ni ellir atal yr ysfa i ddychwelyd i’r tywyllwch.
Mae pysgota yn dal yn boblogaidd iawn, a gwerthir miliwn a rhagor o drwyddedau pysgota â gwialen yng Nghymru a Lloegr yn flynyddol. Mae hefyd yn gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol at economi Cymru. Fodd bynnag, mae nifer yr eog a sewin a ddelir wedi gostwng yn arwyddocaol yn ystod yr ugain mlynedd diwethaf. Mae nifer o ffactorau wedi cyfrannu at y gostyngiad hwn, o lygredd a photsian yn afonydd Eryri i dreillio ar y cefnfor mewn mannau eraill. Mae deddfwriaeth yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, y Cyfarwyddyd Fframwaith Dŵr, yn rhagorol o ran gyrru gwelliannau mewn afonydd sy’n methu. Ond mae pwysau cynyddol ar ein hamgylchedd yn sgil gweithgareddau hamdden, ac mae angen bod yn ofalus wrth ddefnyddio afonydd at ddibenion chwaraeon dŵr. Fel rhan o fy ngwaith fel Swyddog Technegol Pysgodfeydd Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd Cymru, byddaf yn rhoi cyflwyniadau gwella ymwybyddiaeth i grwpiau awyr agored, yn enwedig ar effeithiau amharu ar bysgod sy’n silio. Yr ydym wedi cynhyrchu mapiau sy’n nodi mannau uchel eu risg a byddwn yn hysbysu holl ddefnyddwyr afonydd am lefydd i’w hosgoi yn ystod tymor silio’r eog, o fis Tachwedd i fis Chwefror. Mae arwyddion gwybodaeth ‘Adnabod eich Afon’ wedi’u codi yn nalgylch afon Conwy ger afonydd Conwy, Lledr a Llugwy. Yr ydym oll yn ymwybodol o’r gwrthdaro sy’n digwydd rhwng pysgotwyr a chanŵ-wyr, ond nid oes angen i bethau fod felly. Yn ddiweddar, fe welais dri chanŵ yn padlo i lawr afon Lledr gan gadw ymhell oddi wrth bysgotwr er mwy peidio amharu arno’n pysgota. Fe wnaeth y pysgotwr eu gweld ac fe dynnodd ei lein i mewn ac arhosodd iddynt basio. Fe wnaethant gyfarch ei gilydd a pharhau â’u gweithgareddau hamdden.
Fe wnes i roi’r gorau i bysgota eog a sewin yn y nawdegau cynnar. Yn sgil fy ngwaith fel beili dŵr, yn ceisio diogelu’r creaduriaid hardd hyn, penderfynais beidio â’u pysgota; er hynny, fe wnes i barhau i bysgota am frithyll brown gwyllt yn llynnoedd y mynyddoedd. Ailgychwynnais bysgota eog a sewin mewn afonydd y llynedd. Yr oedd fy noson gyntaf yn ôl ar afon Conwy yn siomedig o’i chymharu â fy ymweliad olaf rai blynyddoedd yn ôl. Byddaf yn aml yn edrych ar luniau’r sewin godidog y byddwn yn eu dal yn ystod y dyddiau cynnar hynny.
Mae Pierino Algieri yn Swyddog Technegol Pysgodfeydd Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd Cymru, a ffotograffydd rhagorol hefyd. www.algieri-images.co.uk
Pysgotwr a chaiacwyr • Fisherman & kayakers, Afon Conwy
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Outdoor recreation
Fishing in Snowdonia Pierino Algieri
I have been a keen angler for the past 35 years, predominantly game fishing using artificial flies to tempt wild brown trout, salmon and sea trout into my net. In my early days Llyn Brenig was a favourite location for trout and the river Conwy around Llanrwst for the pursuit of wild salmon and migratory sea trout. When I started fishing in the mid seventies I would be out on the river or lakeside at every opportunity. In the mid eighties I discovered fishing for sea trout which required going out into the dark when most people were going to bed - wading out into the river Conwy in the dead of night, casting my fly across wide pools, and anticipating the take of a wild sea trout at any moment. Imagine being in total darkness, your senses alert to any sound or movement around you, then an almighty pull as a sea trout takes the fly - the water erupts, the fish tries to escape, leaping out of the water, its tail whirring like a propeller. Some are landed, most are lost. Sea trout fishing is like a drug once you have hooked one - the urge to return as darkness falls is irresistible. I stopped fishing for salmon and sea trout in the early Pysgota brithyll • Trout Fishing, Llyn Crafnant nineties. Because of my job as a water bailiff, trying to protect and preserve these beautiful creatures, I took the decision to stop fishing for them, although I continued to decline, from pollution and poaching in Snowdonia’s rivers fish for wild brown trout in the mountain lakes. I only returned to high seas trawling elsewhere. EU legislation, the Water to river fishing for salmon and sea trout last year. My first night Framework Directive, is a great driver for improvement of failing back on the river Conwy was very disappointing compared with rivers. But there is also increasing recreational pressure on our my last visit all those years ago. I often look at the pictures of the environment and care needs to be taken when using the rivers magnificent sea trout I caught in those early days. for watersports. Fishing is still very popular, with over one million rod licences As part of my work as a Fisheries Technical Officer for sold in England and Wales annually. It also makes a considerable Environment Agency Wales I give awareness-raising contribution to the Welsh economy. However, there has been presentations to outdoor groups, in particular on the effects a significant drop in catches of salmon and sea trout during of disturbing spawning fish. We have produced maps which the past twenty years. Many factors have contributed to this indicate high-risk areas and inform all river users of places to avoid during the salmon spawning period, from November to February. ‘Know Your River’ information signs have been placed in the Conwy catchment near to the Conwy, Lledr and Llugwy rivers. We all know of the confrontation between anglers and canoeists, but it does not have to be so. I recently witnessed three canoes paddling down the Lledr giving an angler a wide berth so as not to disturb his fishing. The angler saw them and reeled in his line until they passed. Each acknowledged the other and carried on with their pastime. Pierino Algieri is a Fisheries Technical Officer with EAW. He is well known for his spectacular photography of North Wales: www.algieri-images.co.uk
Eog yn neidio • Leaping salmon, Afon Lledr
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Adloniant awyr agored
Mae’r llwybr a ddilynodd Tomos yn un o blith sawl un. Dalier sylw, enghraifft yn unig yw’r map - ni ddylid dibynnu arno fel map cyfeirio. The route Tomos followed is only one of several possible routes. Please note the map is for illustrative purposes only.
Y 3000 Cymru
(1044m) (1084m)
Tomos Davies
Mae croesi pedwar copa ar ddeg yng Nghymru sydd dros 3000 troedfedd wedi bod yn her boblogaidd ers tro. Mae gan Gymdeithas Eryri wefan yn ymwneud â’r pedwar copa ar ddeg, www.14peaks.com, ac mae’n cynnwys cronfa ddata o bobl sydd wedi llwyddo i ymweld â phob un ohonynt ar un daith. Yr oedd yr erthygl hon gan Tomos Davies yn un o sawl adroddiad ar y 14 copa a anfonnwyd at y wefan yn 2011. Fel bachgen 19 mlwydd oed o Gaernarfon, mae mynyddoedd Eryri â’u pedwar copa ar ddeg dros 3000 troedfedd wedi bod yn her weledol ddyddiol ar stepen fy nrws. Yn 2011, roedd angen i mi godi £2000 i gymryd rhan mewn menter yn Zambia, i brynu offer chwaraeon, a gwneud gwaith gwirfoddol yn hyfforddi gwirfoddolwyr lleol i fod yn arweinwyr chwaraeon effeithiol. Mae chwaraeon yn elfen bwysig yn y cymunedau hyn sy’n dioddef gan ddiweithdra, tlodi a’r afiechyd HIV/ AIDS. Fel rhan o’r ymgyrch codi arian, fe benderfynais ofyn i bobl fy noddi i goncro 14 o gopaon uchaf Cymru mewn llai na 24 awr. Yn ôl y rhagolygon tywydd ar gyfer 18 Ebrill, roedd hi’n addo diwrnod braf a chlir, felly dyma fi’n penderfynu cychwyn arni o Ben y Pass am 6yb. Wrth gerdded i fyny trac y Pyg ac i fyny i’r Grib Goch, cododd yr haul a chafwyd tywydd bendigedig i groesi’r grib agored i gyfeiriad Carnedd Ugain, ac oddi yno i’r Wyddfa. Wedi cyrraedd copa’r Wyddfa, mynydd uchaf Cymru, ac edmygu’r golygfeydd anhygoel i bob cyfeiriad,
cychwynais i lawr y llwybr i orsaf Clogwyn. Wedi chwalu fy mhenliniau wrth fynd i lawr y llwybr serth i Nant Peris, penderfynais gael seibiant a brecwast sydyn ym maes parcio’r Vaynol Arms cyn mentro am yr Elidir Fawr. Yr oedd Gruffudd John o Felinheli yn cadw cwmni i mi ac yn fy nghefnogi dros y pum mynydd nesaf. Wedi concro mynyddoedd yr Wyddfa ar fy mhen fy hun, roedd cael cwmni yn gymorth mawr i anwybyddu’r boen aruthrol oedd yn fy nghoesau, a sicrhau fy mod yn dal i gadw cyflymder cyson. Er syndod, fe lwyddom i gyrraedd yr Elidir Fawr a’r Garn yn weddol ddi-drafferth. Felly, ymlaen â ni i gopa Glyder Fawr a Glyder Fach, gan dynnu lluniau ar graig y Cantilever ar y ffordd. O fewn ychydig oriau, roeddem wedi dringo teulu’r Glyderau, ac wedi cyrraedd copa Tryfan yng nghwmni ‘Adda ac Efa’. Wrth sgramblo i lawr ochr ogleddol Tryfan tuag at Fwthyn Ogwen, roedd gennyf boen diawledig yn fy mhenliniau, ond yn ffodus, roedd llond bocs o fflapjacs a Mars bars yn disgwyl amdanaf yn y gwaelod i godi fy nghalon!
Gadawodd Gruff y daith ar yr adeg hon, ond daeth Rhys Edwards o Gaernarfon i gadw cwmni i mi ar y Carneddau. Wedi taith hir a chaled, llwyddodd y ddau ohonom i gyrraedd copa Pen yr Ole Wen. Erbyn hyn, ro’n i’n teimlo bod y gwaith caled wedi dod i ben ac yn ffyddiog y byddwn yn cwblhau gweddill y Carneddau yn eithaf di-drafferth. Roedd hynny'n yn gamgymeriad llwyr! Yn araf deg, dyma groesi ar draws i Garnedd Dafydd a Charnedd Llewelyn. Yna, gan guddio ein bagiau, bu’n rhaid cychwyn y daith i gyfeiriad Yr Elen cyn ei hanelu hi am gopa Foel Grach. O’r diwedd, am 6.45yh, dyma gyrraedd copa olaf y daith, Foel-fras, gan deimlo rhyddhad a balchder mawr. Ond roeddwn yn ymwybodol fod pen y daith ymhell i ffwrdd, oherwydd roedd angen mynd i lawr i Abergwyngregyn i gyfarfod â theulu a ffrindiau. O’r diwedd dyma gyrraedd maes parcio Abergwyngregyn a’r poteli Peroni oer oedd yn disgwyl amdanom! Bu’n daith a hanner, ac yn un llawer anoddach na’r disgwyl!
The Snowdonia Society would like to thank RAW Adventures who have pledged to make a donation to the Society for every booking on their Welsh 3000s events! Find out more about their mountain activities in the UK and beyond: www.raw-adventures.co.uk ~ 01286 872102
Hoffai Cymdeithas Eryri ddiolch i RAW Adventures sydd wedi addo gwneud cyfraniad at Gymdeithas Eryri am bob archeb a gânt ar gyfer eu digwyddiadau 3000 Cymru! Darllenwch ragor am eu gweithgareddau mynydda yn y DU a thu hwnt: www.raw-adventures.co.uk ~ 01286 872102
14
Outdoor recreation
The Fourteen Peaks Tomos Davies
The traverse of all fourteen summits over 3000ft in Wales has long been a popular challenge. The Snowdonia Society hosts a website dedicated to the ‘Fourteen Threes’, www.14peaks.com, which includes a database of people who have completed the traverse in a single journey. This article by Tomos Davies was one of several 14 peaks reports posted on the website in 2011. As a 19 year old lad from Caernarfon, Snowdonia’s mountains, with fourteen peaks over 3000 feet, have been a constant visible challenge from my doorstep. In 2011 I needed to raise £2000 to take part in a trip to Zambia to purchase sports equipment and work as a volunteer, training local volunteers to be effective sports leaders. Sport can play an important part in communities which are suffering from unemployment, poverty and HIV/AIDS. As part of my fundraising campaign I asked people to sponsor me to climb all fourteen of the highest peaks in Wales in less than 24 hours. The weather forecast for 18th April promised a clear, sunny day so I decided to start from Pen y Pass at 6am.
As I walked up the Pyg track and on up to Crib Goch, the sun rose and the weather was perfect for crossing the exposed ridge towards Carnedd Ugain and from there to Snowdon. After successfully reaching the summit of Yr Wyddfa, Wales’ highest mountain, and admiring the breathtaking views in all directions, I set off on the descent to Clogwyn station. The steep descent down to Nant Peris wrecked my knees, so I decided to take a break and a quick breakfast in the Vaynol Arms' car park before venturing on to Elidir Fawr. Keeping me company and supporting me over the next five mountains was John Griffith from Felinheli. After walking the Snowdon stint on my own, it was a great help to have a companion to keep my mind off the terrible pain in my legs, and to set a
steady pace. Surprisingly, we managed to reach Elidir Fawr and Y Garn without much trouble. So, on we went to the top of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, taking photographs of the Cantilever Stone on the way. Within a few hours we had completed the Glyder family, finishing on the summit of Tryfan in the company of ‘Adam and Eve’. As we scrambled down the west side of Tryfan towards Ogwen Cottage, the pain in my knees was horrendous, but fortunately there was a box full of flapjacks and Mars bars waiting for me at the bottom to raise my spirits!
Gruff left me at this point, but to keep me company on the Carneddau I had Rhys Edwards from Caernarfon. After an arduous climb we reached the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen. At this point, I thought that the hard work was over and felt confident we Ar ben Tryfan • On top of Tryfan © Tomos Davies would complete the rest of the Carneddau without difficulty. What a mistake! It was a slow and painful walk across to Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn. Stashing our bags, we had to make the out-and-back journey to Yr Elen before we could head across to Foel Grach. At 6.45pm, we reached our final summit, Foel Fras, with a feeling of relief as well as pride. But I was aware that the journey was far from over as we still needed to get down to Abergwyngregyn to meet family and friends. At last we reached the car park and the bottles of chilled Peroni that were awaiting us! It had been a journey and a half and much more difficult than I had expected.
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Beicwraig ar ei Phen ei Hun Frances Smith
Beicio yw fy hoff ddull o deithio erioed! Ond yn ystod blynyddoedd diweddar, yr oedd amharodrwydd sentimental i newid fy hen feic 3 gêr, a phryderon am dyllau yn y teiars, bryniau, tywydd, traffig a diffyg cydymaith, yn golygu nad oeddwn yn mentro gwneud y teithiau pell yr oeddwn wastad wedi breuddwydio amdanynt. Fe wnaeth cyfeillgarwch â beiciwr sy’n arfer mynd ar deithiau pell newid hynny. Nid yn sgil cael cydymaith, ond oherwydd fe wnaeth ei baratoadau ar gyfer taith o’r naill ben i’r llall yn Iwerddon fy ngwneud yn eiddigeddus iawn! Fe wnaeth hefyd fy rhoi mewn cysylltiad â dyn trin beics oedd ar garreg fy nrws. Cofiais braidd yn ddiweddar am fy hen feic teithio 10 gêr, a adawais yng ngarej fy ffrind 20 mlynedd ynghynt, oherwydd ni allwn arfer â’r cyrn i lawr. Wedi’i lanhau ac olew ar y gadwyn, gerau wedi’u procio a’u gwasgu, fe weithiodd! Wedi newid y cyrn a gwneud ychydig o newidiadau eraill, yr oedd yn gyfforddus iawn. Mentrais, (fy hun), ar hyd llwybrau lleol, gan geisio’r lonydd gwledig, tawel. Yr wyf yn wastad wedi bod yn chwilfrydig iawn am y rhain, ond erioed wedi mentro arnynt mewn car. Yr oedd un daith wedi fy nenu ers tro: i fyny Dyffryn Nantlle i Ryd Ddu, ar hyd afon Gwyrfai i Waunfawr ac yna yn ôl ar Lôn Eifion, cyfanswm derbyniol o 22 milltir…. ond ag allt hir 1 mewn 5! Gall traffig cyflym yr A4085 godi braw hefyd... Ond perswadiais fy hun y byddwn yn wyliadwrus iawn ac y byddai fy ngwasgod lachar yn effeithiol; nid yw dod oddi ar y beic i’w wthio yn
Dyffryn Nantlle
achos cywilyddio ychwaith! Â minnau ychydig yn llai pryderus, â’m map, fy mrechdanau a’r pecyn trwsio tyllau ac ati oll wedi’u pacio, i ffwrdd a fi. Yr oedd cael cwmni dau gerddwr i fyny'r allt yn anffodus... Mae’n debyg iddynt ddal i fyny â mi dair gwaith, wrth i deimlad o gyfogi fy ngorfodi i orffwys ychydig cyn ailgychwyn. Ond wrth gyrraedd pen yr allt, yr oedd pethau’n wahanol iawn, ac fe’u gadewais ymhell ar fy ôl! Yr oedd y ffordd o Ryd Ddu i Waunfawr yn llai brawychus na’r disgwyl. Ar waethaf y troadau a’r mannau cul, mae gwelededd yn eithaf da ar y cyfan. Mae gweddill y daith yn hamddenol a heb lawer o draffig; y peryglon pennaf yw baw ceffyl, plant bach a chŵn! Mae’r daith yn gadael Waunfawr â llwybr rhannol goediog sy'n mynd heibio ysgol farchogaeth ac i lawr at afon Gwyrfai; mae Lôn Eifion yn rhedeg ar hyd hen reilffordd goediog, gan ddringo’r allt yn raddol.
Mae’r teithiau lleol yr wyf wedi’u gwneud wedi fy mherswadio y gallaf fentro ar daith hirach dros ychydig ddyddiau, gan gychwyn o garreg fy nrws a chario fy magiau. Nid wyf bellach yn teimlo fod rhaid i mi gael cydymaith. Mae hefyd wedi fy nysgu fy mod i’n hoffi beicio ar fy nghyflymder fy hun - mae’n well gen i beidio ceisio curo’r cloc! Mae ychydig o offer beicio yn gaffaeliad gwych hefyd - fy ffefrynnau yw’r trowsus byr â phadin, a'r esgidiau seiclo bendigedig a brynais yn rhad iawn mewn arwerthiant clirio. Llwybrau’r dyfodol? Os bydd tywydd yn caniatáu, yr wyf yn gobeithio beicio i Leeds ar hyd y ‘Trans Pennine Trail’. Erys yr Avenue Verte i Baris yn her ar gyfer y dyfodol pell! Mae Frances yn byw yn Nyffryn Nantlle ers 20 mlynedd ac fe ymunodd â Chymdeithas Eryri fel Gweinyddwraig Swyddfa ym mis Awst 2011.
Dewch i baratoi eich beic at yr haf yn ein gweithdy cynnal a chadw beiciau, 29ain Ebrill, a fydd yn trafod yr holl elfennau o waith cynnal a chadw arferol, o drwsio tyllau i newid ceblau. Archebwch yn gynnar i gadw lle: 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
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Outdoor recreation
The Solitary Cyclist Frances Smith
Cycling has always been my favourite mode of transport! But in recent years, a sentimental reluctance to upgrade my old 3-speed hub-geared bike, and anxieties about punctures, hills, weather, traffic and lack of a companion, meant that I wasn’t embarking on the long-distance trips I had always dreamt of doing. A friendship with a long-distance cyclist changed this. No, not because I now had a companion, but because witnessing his preparations for an Ireland ‘end-to-end’ trip made me so jealous! He also put me in touch with a bike mechanic on my doorstep. I belatedly remembered my old Raleigh 10-speed tourer, stashed in a friend’s garage 20 years earlier because I couldn’t get on with the drop handlebars. Dusted down and oiled, gears prodded and tweaked, it worked! Replacement of the handlebars and a few other adjustments produced a very comfortable ride. I
started exploring local routes (on my own), seeking out the quiet back roads, many of which I had been curious about but never explored when in a car. One route had been beckoning for some time: up the Nantlle Valley to Rhyd Ddu, alongside the river Gwyrfai to Waunfawr and across to Lôn Eifion, a manageable 22 miles…. but with a long 1 in 5 hill! And the A4085 traffic might be fast and scary... But, I persuaded myself, I would be especially alert and hope my high visibility vest would be effective; and there is no shame in getting off and pushing! These fears dampened, map, sandwiches, puncture kit, etc., all packed, off I went. I could have done without the two walkers who accompanied me up The Hill... They must have caught up with me three times, as nausea forced me to stop and rest before setting off again. But when I got to the top, it was a different
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Dust off your bike and get it ready for summer at our bike maintenance workshop, 29th April, which will cover all the basics of routine maintenance from puncture repair to replacing cables. Book early to secure a place: 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
story as my wheels and I left them plodding along far behind! The stretch of road from Rhyd Ddu to Waunfawr turned out to be less scary than I had feared. Despite the bends and narrow sections, visibility is generally quite good. The rest of the route is leisurely and mostly traffic-free, with the worst hazards including horse poo, toddlers and dogs! The route leaves Waunfawr, with a partially wooded track passing a riding school and dipping down to the Gwyrfai; Lôn Eifion runs along a tree-lined disused railway, with a gentle uphill gradient. The local trips I have completed have convinced me that I could tackle something more challenging over a period of days, setting off from my own doorstep with overnight luggage on board. I no longer feel a companion would be essential. It has also taught me that much as I love to bowl along under my own steam, I prefer not to be cycling against the clock! Also, some cycling gear is a great asset – my favourites being padded shorts and the fabulous cycling shoes I got very cheap in a sale.
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Routes for the future? Weather permitting, I hope to cycle to Leeds via the Trans Pennine Trail. The Avenue Verte to Paris remains a more distant challenge!
Mae nifer helaeth o gaffis a thafarndai yn cynnig lluniaeth ar hyd y daith. Mae nodweddion amrywiol y daith yn cynnwys treftadaeth ddiwydiannol chwareli Dyffryn Nantlle, rheilffordd stêm, llynnoedd, yr Wyddfa a Chrib Nantlle.
The route is well provided with cafés and pubs for refreshment. Varied scenery includes the industrial heritage of the Dyffryn Nantlle slate quarries, a steam railway, lakes, Snowdon and the Nantlle Ridge.
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Frances has lived in Dyffryn Nantlle for over 20 years and joined the Snowdonia Society in August 2011 as the Office Administrator.
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Dod i Adnabod Adar Mynydd Geoff Gibbs
Mantais fawr dod i adnabod adar mynydd Eryri yw gorfod gadael y car… a cherdded. Ystyriwch, er enghraifft, daith gerdded ym mis Mai o Fethesda i Gapel Curig, yn cychwyn ar hyd y llwybr seiclo islaw’r chwarel ac yn dringo i fyny ochr orllewinol Nant Ffrancon ar hyd yr hen ffordd. Mae’n debyg mai eich adar cyntaf gwerth chweil fydd pâr o hwyaid danheddog hardd, hwyaid sy’n plymio ac yn nythu yn nhyllau’r coed. Bydd yr iâr yn arwain ei chywion yn syth i lawr i’r afon wedi iddynt gwympo o’r twll. Cyn cyrraedd llwybr Blaen y Nant, byddwch wedi gweld Cigfrain a phâr o Frain Coesgoch uwchben, ac wedi clywed cân y Dingoch a mwynhau golygfeydd hardd o Siglennod Brith (yn nythu yn y waliau cerrig) a Thinwennod y Garn yn pori ger ymyl y ffordd. Gyda lwc, daw pâr o Linosiaid y Mynydd i’r golwg, tebyg iawn i’r Llinosiaid llwydfelynion, ond mae gan y ceiliog grwper pinc. Hadau llawr y dyffryn yw eu bwyd, ond maent yn nythu’n llawer uwch yn y sarnau grugog anhygyrch. Fel rhywogaeth sy’n bridio, gogledd Eryri yw eu hunig leoliad yng Nghymru. Wrth ddringo allan o'r dyffryn, byddwch yn pasio’r conwydd ger Bwthyn Idwal, ble gwelwch nifer o adar y coed, yn cynnwys Pilaon Gwyrdd. Wrth gyrraedd yr A5, trowch yn ôl ychydig lathenni i edrych dros y bont i lawr Rhaeadr Ogwen. Bydd Siglennod Llwyd yn nythu yma, ac yn aml iawn, gwelir Bronwennod y Dŵr yn bwydo ger yr afon, ychydig yn uwch na’r rhaeadr. Gan gychwyn ger afon Ogwen, bydd gennych ddewis - lefel uchel heibio Bochlwyd a thrwy Fwlch Tryfan neu lefel isel heibio Llyn Ogwen ac yna ar hyd yr hen lôn bost. Dewch i ni droedio’r ail, oherwydd bydd gwell dewis o adar yma. Yn gyntaf, bydd Pibyddion y Dorlan - ymwelwyr a ddaw o’r Affrig i dreulio ychydig fisoedd yn ystod yr haf - wrth lan y llyn. Wrth basio ‘Milestone Buttress’, Tryfan, dylai Mwyalchod y Mynydd fod yn canu. Mae niferoedd y mwyeilch mynydd hyn yn lleihau mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, ond maent yn dal yn weddol gyffredin yma. Gellir eu gweld ar eu taith yn iseldiroedd Prydain, hyd yn oed ar Ben y Gogarth, ond Eryri yw’r lle gorau
Mae’r Frân Goesgoch yn brin mewn rhannau eraill o Brydain, ond fe’i gwelir yn rheolaidd yn Eryri Rare in other parts of the British Isles, the Chough is frequently seen in Snowdonia © Malcom Griffith
i’w gweld. Ymhellach ymlaen, byddwch yn pasio clogwyn mawr Gallt yr Ogof, sy’n gartref i ragor o Gigfrain, a byddwch yn debyg o weld Hebogau Tramor. Ar yr adeg hon o’r flwyddyn, mae’n debyg y byddant yn sgrechian uwchben y sarn nythu. Lle disgynna’r hen ffordd i lawr i Gapel Curig, bydd cyfle da i weld rhagor o Drochyddion, Siglennod a Phibyddion, a cheiliog Bras y Cyrs â’i gân aflafar, fwy na thebyg.
Bras y Cyrs • Reed Bunting © Malcom Griffith
Mae’r holl adar hyn yn trigo yn Eryri neu’n ymweld yn yr haf. Bydd rhaid i chi ddringo’n uwch i weld y ddau aderyn arall sy’n ymfudwyr neu’n ymwelwyr gaeaf. Un o gwtiad y mynydd yw Hutan y Mynydd, a ddaw i Eryri ym mis Mai ar ei ffordd i’r bridfeydd yn yr Alban a Llychlyn. Ânt heibio mewn criwiau bychan, yn bennaf ar y Carneddau ond hefyd y Rhinogydd, Mynydd Mawr a Chrib Nantlle. Fe’u gwelir hefyd wrth iddynt ddychwelyd yn Awst a Medi. Bydd heidiau o hyd at ddeugain Bras yr Eira yn ymweld ag uchelfannau Eryri yn y gaeaf. Byddant wedi’u gwasgaru’n ehangach na Hutanod y Mynydd, a bydd ambell aderyn yn aros tan fis Ebrill, cyn hedfan i’r bridfeydd yn Ynys yr Dychwelodd Geoff a’i wraig i Lanfairfechan Iâ neu’r Ynys Las. Bydd ddeng mlynedd yn ôl. Bellach, mae Geoff yn gweld y naill o’r adar trefnu gwirfoddolwyr i wneud gwaith maes ar ran carismataidd hyn yn yr Ymddiriedolaeth Adareg Prydain yn Sir Gaernarfon. uchelfannau bob amser yn brofiad gwefreiddiol.
18
Outdoor recreation
Getting to Grips with Mountain Birds Geoff Gibbs
The great thing about getting to grips with mountain birds in Snowdonia is that you have to get out of the car… and walk. Consider, for example, a walk in May from Bethesda to Capel Curig, starting along the cycle track below the quarry and then continuing up the west side of the Nant Ffrancon along the old road. Probably your first good birds will be a pair of handsome Goosanders, diving ducks which nest in tree holes. The female leads her tiny ducklings straight down to the river as soon as they tumble out of the hole. By the time you reach the track to Blaen y Nant, you’ve seen Ravens and a pair of Choughs flying overhead, heard Redstarts singing and had lovely views of Pied Wagtails (nesting in the stone walls) and
Geoff and his wife Kate returned to live in Llanfairfechan ten years ago. Geoff now organises volunteers to carry out fieldwork for the British Trust for Ornithology in Caernarfonshire.
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Wheatears feeding on short turf beside the road. With any luck, a pair of Twite has put in an appearance, rather like buffy Linnets but the male with a pink rump. They feed on seeds in the valley bottom but nest much higher up on inaccessible heathery ledges. As a breeding species, northern Snowdonia is their only locality in Wales. Climbing up out of the valley you pass the conifers by Idwal Cottage, where there are woodland birds including Siskins. On reaching the A5, turn back a few yards to look over the bridge down the falls of Rhaeadr Ogwen. Grey Wagtails nest here and Dippers often feed beside the river just above the falls. From Ogwen you have a choice – high level past Bochlwyd and through Bwlch Tryfan or low level beside Llyn Ogwen and then along the old coach road. Let’s take the latter, because the birds are better. First, there are Common Sandpipers on the edge of the lake - summer visitors from Africa which are only here for a couple of months. Passing Milestone Buttress on Tryfan, Ring Ouzels should be singing. These mountain blackbirds are declining elsewhere in Wales but are still reasonably common here. They can be seen on passage in lowland Britain, the Great Orme even, but Snowdonia is the proper place to find them. Further on, you’ll pass the big cliff of Gallt yr Ogof, home to more Ravens, and a likely place for Peregrines. At this time of year they may well be screaming above the nesting ledge. As the old road descends to Capel Curig, there is a good chance of more Dippers, Wagtails and Sandpipers, and probably a cock Reed Bunting, too, with its unmusical song. All these birds are either residents or summer visitors. You have to go higher to see two other birds which are passage migrants or winter visitors. The Dotterel is a mountain plover which visits Snowdonia in May on its way to breeding grounds in Scotland and Scandinavia. They pass through in small parties known as ‘trips’, mainly on the Carneddau but also the Rhinogydd, Mynydd Mawr and the Nantlle Ridge. They are also seen on the return passage, in August and September. The Snow Bunting is a winter visitor to the tops in Snowdonia, in flocks of up to forty. More widely distributed than the Dotterel, odd birds linger on into April before they depart for their breeding grounds in Iceland or Greenland. It’s always a thrill to see either of these charismatic birds up on the tops.
Adloniant awyr agored
Adfywio Beth? Helen Berry
Felly, beth yn union yw hamdden awyr agored? I mi, mae’r ateb yn syml. Mae’n ail-greu neu’n adfywio’r ysbryd dynol. Fe wnaiff hyn trwy fynd â mi i’r diffeithwch - darnau o dir sydd heb eu cyffwrdd gan ddynoliaeth, fwy neu lai, lle mae natur yn ffynnu. Wrth gwrs, nid oes gan Eryri unrhyw ddiffeithwch go iawn, ond pan fyddaf yn cerdded yn y mynyddoedd, gallaf ddod ar draws rhywbeth tebyg. Byddaf yn ceisio’r cymoedd a’r cribau mwyaf diarffordd ar fy mhen fy hun, mewn tawelwch. Byddaf yn clywed cân yr ehedydd a griddfan y gwynt yn y drain. Bydd fy holl sylw wedi’i hoelio ar yr harddwch o’m cwmpas - golygfeydd eang o esgair wyntog, cipolwg sydyn o garlwm yn neidio i mewn i hollt yn y creigiau, neu oedi’n hamddenol i archwilio Tormaen Porffor bychan yn ymwthio o luwch o eira tawdd. Teimlaf ymdeimlad o berthyn i’r byd naturiol hwn - yn heddychlon, ond wedi fy llonni. Yn anffodus, chwedl yr awdur natur Fictoraidd, Richard Jefferies, “Lle’r aiff dyn, dyna ddiwedd natur”, ac mae’n dod yn anoddach osgoi tystiolaeth o ddiffyg parch pobl at fyd natur a diffyg ystyriaeth o bobl eraill. Mae poteli plastig a phacedi creision yn britho’r llwybrau, caiff papur toiled ei chwythu o amgylch llechweddi agored; mae gwastraff dynol heb ei gladdu yn halogi holltau’r creigiau ac yn llygru’r nentydd; llosgir llystyfiant bregus gan dannau gwersyll diofal a diangen. Bydd hofrenyddion, jetiau sy’n hedfan yn isel, trenau stêm, ffonau symudol a grwpiau mawr, swnllyd yn tarfu ar dawelwch y mynyddoedd. Gwelir carneddau newydd ar bob copa bychan a chyffordd llwybrau; gosodir placiau coffa ar glogfeini a’u hoelio ar goed; gwasgir teyrngedau blodau plastig i mewn i agennau; gadewir rhigolau dwfn ar gorsydd bregus gan feiciau modur oddi ar y ffordd; gadawyd cerbydau 4x4 (ddwywaith!) ar gopa’r Wyddfa.
Wyddfa yn cynnwys nid un, ond sawl arwydd gwybodaeth ger mannau cychwyn y llwybrau hyn neu ychydig yn uwch. Yn awr, mae Awdurdod y Parc yn bwriadu codi rhagor o’r rhain – pyst cyfeirio yn uchel ar y mynydd, ym Mwlch y Moch ac o amgylch y copa. Yng nghanol y Rhinogydd gwylltaf, ger Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, ceir arwydd hyll a diangen wedi’i godi gan Gyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru i atgoffa cerddwyr fod hwn yn le hardd – lle sy’n llawer llai hardd yn sgil arwydd o’r fath. Pa un ai a ydynt yn weithredoedd difeddwl neu’n fwriadol, mae’r holl enghreifftiau hyn (ac mae llawer iawn rhagor ohonynt) yn dinistrio’r ymdeimlad o ddiffeithwch y bydd llawer yn ei geisio. Wrth i ragor ohonom fentro i’r awyr agored, mae’n bwysicach nag erioed i ni ymddwyn mewn modd sy’n parchu natur ac yn ystyried eraill. Byddai'n llesol i ni ddilyn cod moeseg yr awyr agored. Mae ei deitl yn dweud y cyfan: PEIDIWCH Â GADAEL UNRHYW OLION Mae ei saith egwyddor yn galluogi i ni gymryd cyfrifoldeb am ein gweithredoedd. Dilynwch y ddolen i gael rhagor o wybodaeth. Dilynwch yr egwyddorion hyn pan fyddwch yn yr awyr agored a chymerwch gyfrifoldeb personol dros ddiogelu’r diffeithwch i’r dyfodol. Er lles y mannau gwyllt sydd mor annwyl gennych, os gwelwch yn dda... peidiwch â gadael unrhyw olion. www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php
Mae Helen Berry wedi bod yn aelod o Gymdeithas Eryri ers sawl blwyddyn. Mae hi wrth ei bodd â’r mannau uchel hynny y gellir eu cyrraedd ar droed yn unig, ac mae hi’n aelod o Ymddiriedolaeth John Muir.
Dyma ymddygiad difeddwl pobl hunanol ac anwybodus – pobl debyg i chi a minnau, sy’n defnyddio’r mynydd i hamddena. Gallaf restru enghreifftiau eraill o ddifrodi’r diffeithwch – ymddygiad pobl a ddylai wybod yn well. Mae prif lwybrau’r
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Outdoor recreation
Recreating What? Helen Berry
So what is outdoor recreation all about? What does it re-create? For me that’s simple. It recreates or refreshes the human spirit. It does that by taking me into the wilderness – areas of land relatively untouched by mankind, where nature flourishes. Of course Snowdonia has no real wilderness, but when I walk the hills I can find something close. I seek out the least-visited cwms and ridges, alone, in silence. I hear the song of the skylark and the sigh of the wind in the hawthorn. My eyes are completely engaged with the beauty around me – the expansive view from a wind-swept ridge, a fleeting glimpse of a stoat as it dives into a cleft in the rocks, or the © John Farrar leisurely examination of a tiny Purple Saxifrage as it peeps from a drift of melting snow. I feel a sense of belonging in this natural world at peace, yet exhilarated. But sadly, as the Victorian nature writer Richard Jefferies wrote, “Where man goes, nature ends”, and it is becoming ever harder to avoid evidence of mankind’s lack of respect for nature and consideration for others. Plastic bottles and crisp packets litter paths, toilet paper blows around the open hillside; unburied human waste desecrates rocky clefts and pollutes mountain streams; fragile vegetation is burned by careless, unnecessary campfires. The quiet of the mountains is shattered by helicopters, low-flying jets, steam-trains, mobile phones and noisy, too-large groups of people. New cairns appear on every minor top and path junction; memorial plaques are screwed to
boulders and nailed to trees; plastic floral tributes are stuffed into crevices; off-road motorbikes leave deep ruts across fragile bogs; a 4x4 is twice (twice!) abandoned on the summit of Snowdon. This is the thoughtless behaviour of selfish, ignorant people – people not unlike you and me, who use the mountains for recreation. But I can cite other examples of wilderness destruction – behaviour by people who ought to know better. The major routes up Snowdon already have not just one, but several information signs at and just above their start-points. Now the SNPA is proposing more - waymarkers high up the mountain, at Bwlch y Moch and around the summit. In the heart of wildest Rhinogydd, near Bwlch y Ddrws Ardudwy, is an ugly and unnecessary CCW sign reminding passers-by that this is a beautiful place – a place made much less beautiful by such a sign. Whether unthinking or deliberate acts, all these examples (and there are many more) destroy the sense of wilderness that many seek. As more and more of us take to the great outdoors, it becomes ever more important that we behave in a responsible way that is respectful of nature and considerate of others. There exists a simple code of outdoor ethics that we would all do well to follow. Its title says it all: LEAVE NO TRACE Its seven principles enable us to take responsibility for our actions. Follow the weblink. Find out more. Apply these principles when you are in the great outdoors and take a personal role in preserving wildness for the future. For the sake of the wild places you love, please …. leave no trace. www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php
Helen Berry has been a member of the Snowdonia Society for a number of years. She has a love of high and lonely places that can only be reached on foot and is a member of the John Muir Trust.
A ddylai’r arwydd hwn fod yn y maes parcio – os oes ei angen o gwbl? Shouldn’t this sign be in the car-park - if it’s necessary at all? © John Farrar
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Adloniant awyr agored • Outdoor recreation
Does Dim a’m Rhwystra… Helen Whittaker
Mae cynnydd wedi bod yn ystod blynyddoedd diweddar yn y sylw a roddir i fanteision iechyd mynd allan a mwynhau byd natur a mannau gwyrdd, ynghyd ag agenda o wneud cefn gwlad yn fwy hygyrch i bawb. Cawn hanes Helen Whittaker â’i phrofiad o geisio mynd hwnt ac yma ag MS arni.
Fy hoff daith yw gyrru i Lanbedrog o Wrecsam trwy fynyddoedd hardd Eryri. Eleni, yr wyf yn mynd i gyrraedd y copa unwaith yn rhagor ar drên bach yr Wyddfa. Yr wyf wedi wynebu sawl her yn ystod y 12 mlynedd diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, mae fy nghryfder a fy agwedd benderfynol, ynghyd â chariad a chefnogaeth fy nheulu a’m ffrindiau, a chymorth a gwybodaeth ddiguro gan y Gymdeithas Sglerosis Ymledol, wedi fy nghynorthwyo i oroesi’r cyfnod anodd hwn.
Ym mis Awst 1999, enillais deitl ‘Mam Fwyaf Egnïol Cymru’. Flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, â minnau’n 32 mlwydd oed, dechreuais ddioddef gan symptomau a arweiniodd at ddiagnosis o Sglerosis Ymledol yn 2001.
Does dim a’m rhwystra!
Mae Sglerosis Ymledol yn gyflwr niwrolegol a gaiff ei ganfod yn fwyaf cyffredin mewn pobl sydd rhwng 30 a 40 oed, ac mae cymaint ddwywaith o ferched â dynion yn dioddef gan y cyflwr. Nid oes gwellhad ar gael ar gyfer dioddefwyr MS ar hyn o bryd, ond mae sawl dull o’i reoli.
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am Gymdeithas Sglerosis Ymledol, ewch i www.mssociety.org.uk
Yr wyf wedi colli symudedd yn raddol dros y 12 mlynedd diwethaf. Cyn y canfuwyd fod MS arnaf, yr oeddwn yn berson bywiog iawn. Yr oeddwn yn 11 oed pan ddringais i fyny’r Wyddfa am y tro cyntaf, gan ddilyn llwybr Llanberis - aeth grŵp ohonom yno o’n chalets gwyliau yn Llanbedrog ym Mhen Llŷn. Cofiaf i ni gael diwrnod difyr iawn. Cerddais yr un llwybr gyda’m plant pan oeddwn yn fy nhridegau. Mae sylweddoli na allaf gerdded mwy na 200 medr â chymorth ffon yn fy nhristau, ond mae’n golygu fod rhaid i ganfod dulliau eraill o symud. Mae gennyf sgwter symudedd y byddaf yn ei gludo i bobman. Yr wyf hefyd yn gyrru - mae gennyf Fini sydd â rheolyddion llaw, oherwydd ni allaf deimlo fy nhraed yn iawn.
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me…
Find out more about the Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.mssociety.org.uk
Helen Whittaker
There has been an increased focus in recent years on the health benefits to everyone of getting out and enjoying nature and green spaces with an accompanying agenda of making the countryside more accessible to all. Helen Whittaker tells us about her own experiences of getting out and about with MS.
same route again with my children when I was in my thirties. The realisation that I can no longer walk further than 200 metres aided with a stick does make me sad, but I just have to find other modes of getting about. I have a small mobility scooter which I take everywhere with me. I also drive - I have a Mini which has hand controls fitted because I can’t feel my feet properly.
In August 1999 I won the title of ‘The Most Energetic Mother in Wales’. A year later, at 32 years old, I started to suffer symptoms which led to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2001.
My favourite journey is driving to Llanbedrog from Wrexham through the beautiful Snowdonia mountains. This year I am going to get to the top again by the mountain railway.
Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 and twice as many women as men have it. Currently there is no cure for MS, though there are different ways to manage it.
The last 12 years have thrown all sorts of challenges at me. However, my strength and determination, together with the love and support of my family and friends and unrivalled help and information from the MS Society, have seen me through these times.
My loss of mobility has been gradual over the last 12 years. Prior to my diagnosis I was a very active person. I was 11 when I first walked up Snowdon following the Llanberis path - a whole group of us went from our holiday chalets in Llanbedrog on the Llŷn Peninsular. I remember it being lots of fun. I walked the
Nothing will ever stop me!
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Taith Gerdded Wahanol
Digwyddiadau’r Gymdeithas • Society activities
Eryri Tanddaearol David Archer
Mwynfa lechi Wrysgan slate mine
Ym mis Gorffennaf 2011, fe wnaeth wardeniaid Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, Gruff Owen a Rhys Huws, arwain taith gerdded ar gyfer pobl o bob gallu o Ben y Pass i Lyn Llydaw. Fe wnaeth dros chwe deg o bobl ymuno â Gruff a Rhys ar y daith pedair milltir, yn cynnwys defnyddwyr cadeiriau olwyn, teuluoedd â phlant ifanc, pobl rhannol ddall â'u cŵn tywys a cherddwyr mynydd profiadol. Trefnwyd y digwyddiad gan Gymdeithas Eryri i amlygu'r gwelliannau diweddar sydd wedi gwneud y llwybr hwn yn fwy hygyrch ac i annog pobl i ymweld â’r mynyddoedd a mwynhau ein Parc Cenedlaethol yn ystod blwyddyn ei chwedegmlwyddiant. Mae’r llwybr hwn, sy’n dilyn Llwybr y Mwynwyr, bellach yn addas ar gyfer cadeiriau olwyn, sgwteri symudedd a chadeiriau gwthio. Mae gan Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol un ‘tramper’ ar gyfer pob tir a gellir ei fenthyca ar gais.
Wrth grwydro o amgylch Eryri, ni allwch fethu â sylwi ar y dystiolaeth eang o fwyngloddio a thrin llechi. Yn wir, fe wnaeth y diwydiant llechi ddominyddu economi gogledd-orllewin Cymru'r 19eg ganrif, gan gyflogi 17,000 o ddynion a chynhyrchu hanner miliwn o dunelli o lechi gorffenedig yn ei anterth, tua diwedd y bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg. Arferid cloddio llechfaen o amgylch Llanberis a Bethesda, ond yn ardal Blaenau Ffestiniog, câi ei fwyngloddio, sy’n cynnig cyfle am brofiad gwahanol iawn heddiw.
Os hoffech ddilyn y llwybr hwn, mae lle ar gyfer un gadair olwyn ar gael ar y bws Sherpa o Nant Peris. Os nad yw defnyddio’r bws yn ymarferol, cysylltwch ag Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri i drefnu i gadw lle parcio ym Mhen y Pass, oherwydd bydd y maes parcio hwn yn llenwi’n gyflym, ac mae nifer cyfyngedig o lefydd parcio ar gael ar gyfer defnyddwyr anabl.
Bob blwyddyn, bydd y Gymdeithas yn trefnu trip tanddaearol, ac nid oes rhaid i chi fod yn ddewr nac yn heini iawn, ond dylech fod yn barod i gael eich syfrdanu. Yn 2011, fe wnaethom ymweld â mwynfa lechi Wrysgan yng Nghwmorthin ger Blaenau. Daeth 16 o aelodau’r Gymdeithas ynghyd un bore glawog a gwyntog, dan arweiniad Steve Lea o Gymdeithas Fforio Pen y Gogarth i grwydro’r fwynfa fawr hon oedd yn weithredol o’r 1830au i’r 1950au.
Dewch ar ein taith gerdded i bobl o bob gallu eleni ar Lwybr Mawddach ar 11eg Gorffennaf. Join us on our next all ability ramble on the Mawddach Trail on 11th July. 01286 685498
info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Gan wisgo helmedau a lampau pen, fe wnaethom gerdded i fyny at y fynedfa fechan ar y llechwedd uwchben Tanygrisiau ac ar hyd tramwyfa gul i waelod y fwynfa. Yn sydyn, yr oeddem mewn ceudwll tanddaearol enfawr, iasol o ddistaw, a gloddiwyd 150 mlynedd yn ôl i gyflenwi llechi toi a allforid i bedwar ban byd. Fe wnaethom sgrialu i fynnu llethrau llechfaen a rwbel i’r mannau uwch, gan ddod ar draws rhagor o geudyllau, ar brydiau’n gorfod gwasgu rhwng blociau enfawr o lechfaen neu droedio drwy dwneli, bob amser ag ymdeimlad o barchedig ofn yn sgil maint arswydus y fenter, gwydnwch y mwyngloddwyr, a’r peryglon a wynebid ganddynt. Wedi dringo trwy chwe lefel a thua 250 troedfedd yn y tywyllwch, cawsom gipolwg ar olau dydd fry uwchben a daethom allan i’r llechwedd a hithau’n ganol y prynhawn, â'r golygfeydd o dan gymylau Blaenau a Thrawsfynydd.
A Ramble with a Difference In July 2011 Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) wardens Gruff Owen and Rhys Huws led a ramble for people of all abilities from Pen y Pass to Llyn Llydaw. More than sixty people joined Gruff and Rhys on the four-mile ramble, including wheelchair users, families with small children, partially sighted people with guide dogs and regular mountain walkers. This event was organised by the Snowdonia Society to promote the recent improvements which have made this route more accessible and to encourage people to get out into the mountains and enjoy our National Park in its sixtieth year. This route up the Miners’ Track is now suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. The SNPA also has one allterrain ‘tramper’ which is available for use on request.
Disgynasom i lawr lechwedd wlyb trwy adfeilion adeiladau ble’r arferid trin y llechi a ble trigai’r mwyngloddwyr, a syllasom trwy dwnnel yr oedd inclein yn rhedeg drwyddo i gludo’r llechi i reilffordd Ffestiniog ymhell islaw. Dychwelasom i’n ceir â hithau’n tywallt y glaw; yn sicr, yr oedd wedi bod yn ddiwrnod da i’w dreulio o dan ddaear. Bydd digwyddiad 'Eryri Tanddaearol' eleni yn ymweld â mwynfa lechi Cwmorthin ar 9ed Medi. Mae’n ddigwyddiad poblogaidd - archebwch yn gynnar i sicrhau lle:
If you would like to follow this route, note that there is one wheelchair space available on the Sherpa bus from Nant Peris. If using the bus is not practical, contact the SNPA to arrange reserved parking at Pen y Pass, as this popular car park fills up quickly and parking for disabled users is limited.
01286 685498
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info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Digwyddiadau’r Gymdeithas • Society activities
Snowdonia Underground David Archer
As you wander around Snowdonia, you can’t fail to notice the widespread evidence of past mineral and slate working. In fact, the slate industry dominated the 19th century economy of north west Wales employing 17,000 men and producing half a million tons of finished slate at its peak in the late nineteenth century. Around Llanberis and Bethesda the slate was quarried, but in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area it was mined, providing an opportunity for a very different experience today. Each year, the Society organises a trip underground, for which you don’t need to be very courageous or fit but you do need to prepare to be amazed. In 2011 we visited the Wrysgan slate mine in Cwmorthin near Blaenau. 16 Society members led by Steve Lea of the Great Orme Exploration Society assembled on a wet and windy morning to explore this large mine which operated from the 1830s to the 1950s. Equipped with headlamps and helmets we walked up to the small entrance high on the hillside above Tanygrisiau and along a narrow passage into the bottom of the mine. Suddenly we were in a vast underground cavern, eerily silent, carved out 150
years ago to provide roofing slate which was exported all over the world. We scrambled up slopes of slate and debris to higher levels and yet more huge caverns, sometimes squeezing between massive blocks of slate or traversing tunnels between chambers, always with a sense of awe at the daunting size of the enterprise, the toughness and resilience of the miners, and the dangers they faced. After climbing through six levels and some 250 feet in darkness we caught glimpses of daylight above us and emerged mid-afternoon onto the hillside, with views below the cloud of Blaenau and Trawsfynydd. We descended a steep wet hillside through derelict buildings where the slate was worked and the miners lived, and gazed through a tunnel down which an incline ran taking the slate to the Ffestiniog railway far below. We returned to the cars in the pouring rain; it had certainly been a good day to be underground.
Y Sector Awyr Agored Mae’r sector awyr agored yn chwarae rhan hanfodol yn economi gogledd-orllewin Cymru. Fe wnaeth astudiaeth yn 2004 amcangyfrif fod y sector yn cyfrannu £140 miliwn y flwyddyn ac yn gyfrifol am 6% o’r holl gyflogaeth. Wrth gwrs, mae gweithgareddau awyr agored yn cynnig manteision o ran iechyd a lles na ellir eu mesur mewn termau economaidd syml. Yn Eryri Bywiol, menter gymdeithasol ac ymgynghoriaeth greadigol sy’n arbenigo mewn hamddena awyr agored a thwristiaeth antur, yr ydym yn diffinio antur awyr agored fel: “… gweithgareddau sy’n canolbwyntio ar ymgysylltu â’r amgylchedd naturiol mewn modd sy’n heriol yn gorfforol, lle mae sgiliau ac elfen o risg yn ganolog i’r profiad, a’r cyfranogwr yn ceisio gwerthfawrogi rhinweddau esthetaidd yr amgylchedd naturiol yn heddychlon”. Mae’r diffiniad hwn yn crynhoi mwynhad pobl o weithgareddau awyr agored, a chredwn fod hyn yn rhan o’r hyn sy’n rhoi gogledd Cymru ar y blaen o’i gymharu â chyrchfannau eraill. Gallai unrhyw un werthu eu hunain fel ‘cyrchfan eithafol’ neu fuddsoddi mewn cyfleusterau chwaraeon artiffisial y gellid eu lleoli’n hawdd iawn mewn hen chwarel oddi ar yr M25. Ond ni all datblygiadau o’r fath ail-greu asedau naturiol amhrisiadwy’r rhanbarth, sy’n rhan o’n treftadaeth ac yn denu miloedd y bobl y flwyddyn i gerdded, dringo, caiacio a beicio - rhywbeth a anghofir gan ein gwleidyddion, y cyfryngau ehangach a’r rhai nad ydynt yn gyfarwydd â’r awyr agored. Yn y dyfodol, yr her fydd sicrhau y bydd datblygiadau yn y sector yn ystyried yr
Llwybrau at Waith yn yr Awyr Agored
Mwynfa lechi Wrysgan slate mine
Our next ‘Snowdonia Underground’ will explore Cwmorthin slate mine on 9th September. Book early to avoid disappintment: 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
Mae Partneriaeth Awyr Agored Gogledd Orllewin Cymru yn gweithredu ers 2005, a’i nod yw hyrwyddo gwaith, addysg, hyfforddiant, mentora a chyfleoedd gwirfoddoli i bobl leol yn y sector awyr agored. Yn 2011, cynorthwyodd y Bartneriaeth 56 o bobl leol ddi-waith neu economaidd anweithgar i gael gwaith yn y sector. Yn 2012, mae’r bartneriaeth yn cynnig rhaglenni datblygu preswyl ‘Llwybr Cyflym’ ar gyfer preswylwyr Gwynedd ac Ynys Môn ym Mhlas Menai, y Ganolfan Chwaraeon Dŵr Cenedlaethol, ac ym Mhlas y Brenin, y Ganolfan Fynydda Genedlaethol. Bydd deunaw o gyfranogwyr yn rhan o’r cynllun, a byddant yn gweithio i gael cymwysterau sy’n angenrheidiol i weithio yn y sector awyr agored, yn cynnwys y Dyfarniad Dringen Sengl (dringo), y dyfarniad Arweinydd Mynydd a gwobrau sêr BCU (chwaraeon padl). Am ragor o wybodaeth gweler: www.partneriaeth-awyr-agored.co.uk
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Adloniant awyr agored • Outdoor recreation effeithiau economaidd, amgylcheddol a chymdeithasol a all ddigwydd. Am ragor o wybodaeth gweler www.snowdonia-active.org Am y newyddion awyr agored diweddaraf yng ngogledd gorllewin Cymru gweler: www.snowdonia-active.com
The Outdoor Sector The outdoor sector plays a vital role in the economy of north-west Wales. In a 2004 study the sector was estimated to contribute £140 million per annum and be responsible for 6% of all employment. Of course, outdoor activities also offer benefits in terms of health and wellbeing that go way beyond simple economics. At Snowdonia-Active, a social enterprise and creative consultancy specialising in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism, we define outdoor adventure as: “…activities that are focused upon engaging with the natural environment in a physically challenging manner where skill and an element of risk are central to the experience and the participant seeks to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the natural environment in a peaceful manner”. This definition encapsulates why people do what they do in the outdoors, and we believe that this is part of what gives north Wales an edge over other destinations. Anybody can position themselves as an 'extreme destination' or invest in faux adventure sport facilities which could just as easily be situated in a disused gravel pit off the M25. But such developments cannot replicate the priceless natural assets of the region, which are part of our heritage and draw thousands of people year round to walk, climb, kayak and cycle - a point sometimes lost on policy makers, the wider media and those unversed in the outdoors. In the future the balancing act will be to ensure that development within the sector takes into consideration the economic, environmental and social impacts that may occur. Find out more at www.snowdonia-active.org For the latest outdoor news in north-west Wales visit: www.snowdonia-active.com
Sean Villanueva, dringwr ar ymweliad, wrthi’n dringo Clogwyn Du’r Arddu yn ystod digwyddiad mynydda rhyngwladol Cyngor Mynydda Prydain a gynhaliwyd yng Ngogledd Cymru. / Visiting climber, Sean Villanueva, in action on Clogwyn Du'r Arddu during a British Mountaineering Council (BMC) international climbing meet held in North Wales. © Ray Wood
Pathways to Employment Outdoors The North West Wales Outdoor Partnership has been operating since 2005 and aims to promote employment, education, training, mentoring and volunteering opportunities for local people in the outdoor sector. In 2011 the Outdoor Partnership helped 56 unemployed or economically inactive local people into employment within the sector. In 2012 the partnership is offering six-week residential ‘Fast-Track’ development programmes for residents of Anglesey and Gwynedd at Plas Menai National Watersports Centre and Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre. Eighteen participants will be involved, working to gain qualifications essential for employment in the outdoor sector, including the Single Pitch Award (climbing), Mountain Leader award and BCU star awards (for paddlesports). For more information visit: www.outdoor-partnership.co.uk Yr oedd Brendan Zyborski (de), 22, o Ynys Môn, yn ddi-waith am wyth mis wedi i’w waith fel garddwr ddod i ben, ond yn ddiweddar, mae wedi gweithio ym Mhlas y Brenin. Meddai Brendan, “Yr oedd canfod gwaith yn y diwydiant awyr agored yn anodd, oherwydd nid oedd gennyf unrhyw gymwysterau. Yr oedd arnaf angen profiad o’r diwydiant, a chefais gyflwyniad i’r sgiliau angenrheidiol gan y Bartneriaeth Awyr Agored, ynghyd â chymorth ag hyfforddiant, profiadau gwerthfawr o weithgareddau awyr agored, ac yn fwy diweddar, gwaith.”
© Ray Wood
Brendan Zyborski (above), 22, from Anglesey, was unemployed for eight months after his work as a gardener came to an end, but has recently been employed at Plas y Brenin. He says, “Finding work in the outdoor industry proved difficult as I had no qualifications. I needed to get some experience in the industry and the Outdoor Partnership gave me an introduction to the skills needed, helping me along the way with training, valuable outdoor activity experiences and more recently employment.”
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Cadwraeth Eryri - Adroddiad
Mwynhau’r Awyr Agored Trwy Wirfoddoli Bea Kelsall
Beth am roi hwb i’ch lles yn 2012 trwy waith cadwraeth gwirfoddoli, gweithgaredd hamdden sydd nid yn unig yn llesol i’ch iechyd, ond hefyd i iechyd a lles y Parc Cenedlaethol? Yr ydym oll wedi teimlo’r ymdeimlad ysbrydoledig a gawn pan fydd y corff cyfan yn brifo ar ôl gwneud gweithgaredd corfforol, y rhuthr o endorffinau a wnaiff i ni deimlo’n llawn bywyd a pharod i wynebu’r dasg nesaf… wedi gorffwys ychydig, efallai. Dychmygwch pa mor fodlon y buasech yn teimlo wedi diwrnod o blannu coed neu gasglu sbwriel mewn man prydferth lleol, a sylwi drachefn fod eich gwaith wedi effeithio’n llesol a pharhaol ar y dirwedd arbennig honno? Ystyriwch sut y bydd y coed yr ydych yn eu plannu heddiw yn aeddfedu pan fydd eich wyrion yn cerdded gyda’u hwyrion hwy, gan feithrin ymdeimlad go iawn o barhad a pherchnogaeth a sicrhau y gall pobl a bywyd gwyllt elwa o gynefinoedd naturiol y Parc Cenedlaethol yn awr ac i’r dyfodol. Yma yng Nghymdeithas Eryri, mae gennym hanes hir o weithredu a gwirfoddoli ymarferol, i gynorthwyo i ddiogelu’r dirwedd fregus hon. Bydd llawer ohonoch eisoes wedi profi deilliannau positif defnyddio’r awyr agored fel tonig neu weithgaredd hamdden, ond gellir ystyried gweithgareddau awyr agored yn chwaraeon hefyd: dringo, cerdded, beicio mynydd neu un o sawl gweithgaredd arall ar gyfer trigolion lleol a defnyddwyr eraill y Parc. Onid yw’n bryd i ni gydnabod manteision therapiwtig a hamddenol gwirfoddoli yn yr awyr agored, yn enwedig pan fydd hyn yn golygu treulio amser yn rhai o fannau tawelaf a mwyaf diddorol ein Parc Cenedlaethol? Wrth roi hwb i’n hiechyd a’n stamina, byddwn hefyd yn rhoi rhywbeth yn ôl, nid fel gwirfoddolwyr yn cyfrannu yn rhad ac am ddim, ond yn lle hynny, trwy wneud gweithgaredd sy’n llesol i ni ac i’r amgylchedd, ac yn well na sawl ymweliad â’r gampfa - nid oes raid iddo fod yn waith caled, dim ond hwyl go iawn! Mae Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri wedi ymgymryd ag amrywiaeth o ddiwrnodau gwaith dros y blynyddoedd: clirio rhywogaethau ymledol, yn enwedig Rhododendron ponticum a Jac y Neidiwr; cynnal llwybrau troed sy’n dioddef gan erydiad a phroblemau
Myfyrwraig yn gweithio ar Lwybr y Mwynwyr • Student working on the Miners Track
draeniad; clirio sbwriel; plannu coed; mae’n rhestr ddi-ddiwedd! Mae angen am rai o’r gweithgareddau hyn yn sgil cynnydd mewn gweithgareddau hamdden. Yn 2012, yr ydym yn bwriadu parhau i amlygu’r problemau a’r materion hyn a mynd i’r afael â hwy yn y dirwedd gyfan, gan bwysleisio nad ydynt yn bodoli ar eu pen eu hunain. Wrth weithredu, gallwn ddylanwadu ar newidiadau tymor hir, felly eleni, beth am ddylanwadu’n bositif ar eich amgylchedd lleol trwy ddatblygu gwell ymwybyddiaeth o effaith gweithgarwch dynol ar y dirwedd naturiol ac ymateb i hynny. Yn bresennol, yr ydym yn canolbwyntio ar addysgu defnyddwyr am faterion posibl, gan fynd i’r afael â chadwraeth yn rhagweithiol yn hytrach nag adweithiol. Mae harddu yn flaenoriaeth allweddol hefyd, ac oherwydd hynny, ar ôl clirio rhododendron o fan penodol, byddwn yn plannu rhywogaethau cynhenid yno, er enghraifft. Mae addysgu gwirfoddolwyr hefyd yn bwysig, i wneud tasgau yn fwy ystyrlon a rhoi gwell ymdeimlad o foddhad iddynt ar ôl eu cwblhau. Yn 2011, er enghraifft, cafodd ein gwirfoddolwyr gyngor arbenigol ar beryglon y pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, sy’n dangos fod ein gwaith o glirio rhododendron yn Nant Gwynant yn bwysig a bod angen brys amdano. Dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf yn enwedig, yr ydym wedi gwella effaith gweithgareddau’r Gymdeithas trwy gydnabod na allwn weithio ar ein pen ein hunain, a’n bod yn llawer cryfach wrth weithio gyda phartneriaid a chymunedau,
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gan adeiladu ar deimladau presennol o berchnogaeth ac anelu at les holistig, i ninnau ac i’n hamgylchedd.
Mae’n dda gennym gyhoeddi genedigaeth babi Jenny Whitmore, Ffion, ar 1af Rhagfyr 2011. Mae Mike Klymko wedi ymuno â'r staff fel Swyddog Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri yn ystod absenoldeb mamolaeth Jenny.
Cymorth Cyntaf ar gyfer Llwybrau Gall poblogrwydd cynyddol Eryri ar gyfer gweithgareddau hamdden, yn cynnwys cerdded, rhedeg a beicio mynydd arwain at erydu llwybrau troed a llwybrau tramwy yn ddifrifol. Mae Eryri bellach yn denu dros 400,000 o gerddwyr y flwyddyn – mae hynny’n nifer fawr iawn o esgidiau cerdded! Bydd gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri yn taclo erydiad gan geisio gwella hawliau tramwy cyhoeddus a diogelu cynefinoedd bregus rhai o lwybrau mwyaf poblogaidd y Parc. Os hoffech gymryd rhan mewn gwaith ymarferol i ddiogelu a gwella tirweddau gwerthfawr Eryri, cysylltwch â bea@snowdonia-society.org.uk neu ffoniwch 01286 685498 fel y gallwn eich diweddaru am ein gweithgareddau.
Conservation Snowdonia Report
Enjoying the Outdoors Through Volunteering Bea Kelsall
Why not boost your sense of wellbeing in 2012 through conservation volunteering, a recreation activity which not only benefits you and your health, but also the health and wellbeing of your National Park? We all know how uplifted we feel when we have the general all-over ache that comes from doing physical activity, the rush of endorphins that makes us feel full of life and ready to face the next task… albeit after a little rest maybe. But imagine how satisfying it feels to have spent the day planting trees or clearing litter from a local beauty spot, and afterwards looking up to realise that you have made a lasting and beneficial impact on this special landscape? Consider how the trees you plant today will reach maturity when your grandchildren are walking their grandchildren, fostering a real sense of continuity and ownership and ensuring the natural habitats of the National Park can benefit both wildlife and people now and in the future. At the Snowdonia Society we have a long history of practical actions and volunteering, helping to enhance and protect this fragile landscape. Many of you will already have experienced the positive outcomes of using the outdoors as a tonic or recreation, but there can be a perceived understanding of outdoor recreation as a sport: climbing, walking, mountain biking or one of the many other activities for which locals and visitors use the park. Is it not time we recognised and
realised the therapeutic and recreational benefits of volunteering in the outdoors, especially when this means spending time in some of the quietest and most interesting areas of our National Park? While boosting health and stamina we are also giving something back, not as volunteers giving something away freely, but instead through doing an activity that is mutually beneficial, beating numerous trips to the gym - it doesn't have to be hard work, just good fun! We have undertaken many varied workdays over the years of the Conservation Snowdonia Project: clearing invasive species, especially Rhododendron ponticum and Himalayan balsam; maintaining footpaths suffering from erosion and drainage problems; litter clearance; tree planting; the list goes on! Some of these activities are necessary as a direct result of increased recreational usage. In 2012 we intend to continue to highlight the above problems and issues and tackle them on a landscape scale, emphasising how they do not exist in isolation. Through our actions we can effect long term change, so this year why not ensure that the change you make on your local environment is positive by developing a greater awareness of the impact of human activity on the natural landscape and doing something about it. These days we focus on educating users about potential issues, taking a
proactive rather than reactive approach to conservation. Enhancement is also a key priority, which is why, for example, after clearing an area of rhododendron we will then replant with native species. Educating volunteers is also important to increase the meaningfulness of a task and thus the sense of satisfaction upon completion. In 2011, for example, our volunteers received expert advice on the risks posed by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, which gave a new sense of importance and urgency to our work clearing rhododendron in Nant Gwynant. Over the last two years in particular we have increased the impact of the Society's activities by recognising that we too cannot work in isolation, but that we are far stronger when we work with partners and communities, building on an existing sense of ownership and aiming for a state of holistic well being, both for ourselves and our environment. We are pleased to announce the birth of Jenny Whitmore’s baby, Ffion, on 1st December 2011. Mike Klymko has joined the staff as Conservation Snowdonia Project Officer during Jenny's maternity leave.
Footpath First Aid Snowdonia’s increasing popularity for recreation including walking, fell running and mountain biking can lead to severe problems of erosion on footpaths and rights of way. Snowdon itself now attracts over 400,000 walkers every year – that’s a lot of pairs of boots! Snowdonia Society volunteers tackle erosion with the aim of improving public rights of way and protecting fragile habitat on some of the most popular routes in the Park. If you’d like to get involved in practical work to protect and improve the precious landscapes of Snowdonia, contact bea@snowdonia-society.org. uk or call 01286 685498 so we can keep you up to date with all the latest activities.
Clirio rhododendron • Rhododendron bashing, Bryn Gwynant
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Polisi ac ymgyrchoedd
Polisi ac Ymgyrchoedd Sarah Medcalf, Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol Ar waethaf y llu o weithgareddau sy’n mynd ag amser staff ac Ymddiriedolwyr, yn cynnwys gwaith cadwraeth gwirfoddol, ystod eang o ddigwyddiadau yn y Parc a datblygiadau cyffrous yn Tŷ Hyll, nid yw’r Gymdeithas wedi anghofio’i gwerthoedd craidd, ac mae’n parhau i ymgyrchu i ddiogelu’r Parc Cenedlaethol, gan gefnogi datblygiadau priodol. Strategaeth Hamdden Yr ydym yn falch o sylwi fod Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, yn unol â’n dymuniadau, wedi paratoi Strategaeth Hamdden ddrafft wedi'i llunio o amgylch sawl thema: diogelu rhinweddau arbennig a thawelwch; y newid yn yr hinsawdd; naws am le; mynediad i bawb; seilwaith addas; iechyd a lles; sicrhau manteision economaidd; gwaith partneriaeth; ac integreiddio ac ansawdd. Er bod y Gymdeithas yn croesawu’r egwyddorion sydd wrth wraidd y strategaeth, mae’n pryderu nad yw’r drafft presennol yn ddigonol i annog datblygiad gweithgareddau awyr agored a hamdden trwy ddulliau a wnaiff hybu’r economi lleol heb niweidio rhinweddau arbennig Eryri. Yn dilyn cyfnod ymgynghori (a fydd yn cychwyn yn fuan), bydd angen llawer iawn o waith i sicrhau strategaeth dymor hir effeithiol ar gyfer y Parc.
Edrychwn ymlaen at weld y ddogfen derfynol, dogfen a allai arwain at ddiogelu a harddu tirweddau Eryri yn awr ac i’r dyfodol.
Dewi Sant newydd yn Harlech, a fyddai’n hwb sylweddol i’r economi lleol yn ein tyb ni. Mae’r adeilad presennol yn adfeiliedig ac yn ddolur sylweddol i’r llygaid.
Maes awyr Llanbedr
Colli coetir derw hynafol
Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi ymddiddori ers tro yn y cynigion ar gyfer hen faes awyr Llanbedr. Caniatawyd tystysgrif ddefnydd cyfreithlon gan Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri yng Ngorffennaf 2011
Yn olaf, ar waethaf ymdrechion sylweddol y Gymdeithas, mae’r Gweinidog wedi gwrthod ystyried llwybr arall ar gyfer rhan o welliant ffordd yr A470 rhwng Cross Foxes a Gelligemlyn i’r de o Ddolgellau. Byddai hyn wedi golygu colli llawer llai o’r coetir derw hynafol. Ym mis Ionawr 2012, fe’n hysbyswyd y byddai’r cynllun yn mynd yn ei flaen, ar waethaf gwrthwynebiad Ymgyrch Diogelu Cymru Wledig, Ymgyrch y Parciau Cenedlaethol, Ymddiriedolaeth Bywyd Gwyllt Gogledd Cymru, yr Ymddiriedolaeth Coedlannau a Plantlife, yn ogystal â’r Gymdeithas a nifer o unigolion. Monitro cynigion i ddod
© Steve Lewis
Polisi cynllunio Croesawir hefyd fwriad Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol i baratoi canllawiau cynllunio ychwanegol ar ynni adnewyddadwy i gynorthwyo â phenderfyniadau’r dyfodol. Er bod y Gymdeithas yn cefnogi datblygiad cynlluniau ynni adnewyddadwy ar raddfa fechan, mae’n rhaid i ni ochel rhag unrhyw effeithiau ar y dirwedd a’r amgylchedd. Mae canllawiau cynllunio ychwanegol ar ‘Dirweddau Eryri’ i gefnogi Cynllun Datblygu Lleol Eryri wedi’u drafftio a’u cyhoeddi at ddibenion ymgynghori. Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi canfod diffygion difrifol ynddynt, ac wedi awgrymu gwelliannau.
i ddefnyddio’r safle at ddibenion ymchwil a datblygu awyrennau di-griw. Mewn datblygiad diweddar, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi datgan ei bwriad i fwrw ymlaen â’i chynllun gwreiddiol i osod y safle i Kemble Air Services. Fodd bynnag, nid yw Kemble wedi cynnig unrhyw wybodaeth am eu cynlluniau ar gyfer y safle hyd yn hyn (yn cynnwys nifer y swyddi ar gaiff eu creu ar gyfer pobl leol), ac nid ydynt ar adeg ysgrifennu hwn wedi cymryd unrhyw gamau i sicrhau y bydd adeiladau’r safle ar gael i fusnesau lleol. Gwesty Dewi Sant, Harlech Hefyd yn ardal Ardudwy, mae’r Gymdeithas yn siomedig na wnaed unrhyw gynnydd o ran adeiladu Gwesty
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Bydd yr Is-bwyllgor Polisi yn parhau i fonitro cynigion gan Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol a Llywodraeth Cymru, yn enwedig adolygiadau’r polisi cynllunio sy’n digwydd ar lefel genedlaethol, ac ymgynghoriad ar Ddatganiad Polisi Parciau Cenedlaethol yn ddiweddarach eleni. Yr ydym yn disgwyl am ymgynghoriad ar opsiynau yn ymwneud â throsglwyddo trydan o’r atomfa newydd arfaethedig yn Wylfa, Ynys Môn. Gallwn sicrhau ein haelodau y gwnawn bopeth o fewn ein gallu i hyrwyddo dewisiadau na wnaiff effeithio ar dirweddau ysblennydd y Parc Cenedlaethol. Os oes materion y credwch yn gryf yn eu cylch, neu os ydych yn ymwybodol o unrhyw faterion eraill neu geisiadau cynllunio y credwch y dylai’r Gymdeithas ymgyrchu yn eu cylch, cysylltwch â Chadeirydd yr Is-bwyllgor Cynllunio, David Lewis, yn drlewis@yahoo.com neu trwy swyddfa Cymdeithas Eryri.
Policy and campaigns
Policy and Campaigns Sarah Medcalf, Acting Director Despite the multitude of activities occupying staff and Trustees, including conservation volunteering, a wide variety of events within the Park and exciting developments at Tŷ Hyll, the Society has not forgotten its core values and continues to campaign to protect the National Park while supporting appropriate development.
The Society has identified serious shortcomings in this and suggested ways of remedying them. We look forward to seeing the final document, which has the potential to protect and enhance the landscapes of Snowdonia now and in the future.
towards construction of the new St David’s Hotel in Harlech, which we expect to be a considerable boost to the local economy. The current building is derelict and a major eyesore.
Llanbedr airfield
Recreation Strategy
The Society has long taken an interest in proposals for the former Llanbedr airfield.
Finally, despite the Society’s considerable efforts, the Minister has refused to consider an alternative line for part of the A470 road improvement between Cross Foxes and Gelligemlyn south of Dolgellau. This would have significantly reduced the loss of ancient oak woodland. In January 2012 we received notice that the scheme was to proceed despite objections from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Campaign for National Parks, North Wales Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust and Plantlife, as well as the Society and a number of individuals.
We are pleased to note that, as we had advocated, Snowdonia National Park Authority has produced a draft Recreation Strategy structured around various themes: protecting special qualities and tranquility; climate change; sense of place; access for all; appropriate infrastructure; health and well being; delivering economic benefit; partnership working; and integration and quality. While the principles behind the strategy are welcome, the Society is concerned that the current draft may not be sufficient to encourage development of outdoor activities and recreation in ways that will boost the local economy without damaging the special qualities of Eryri. Following the consultation period (due to begin shortly), a great deal of work will be required to ensure this is an effective long-term strategy for the Park. Planning policy Also welcome is the Park Authority’s intention to produce supplementary planning guidance on renewable energy to help future decision making. While the Society supports the development of small-scale renewable energy schemes, we must remain vigilant about landscape and environmental impacts. Supplementary planning guidance on ‘-Landscapes of Eryri’ to support the Eryri Local Development Plan has been drafted and published for consultation.
Loss of ancient oak woodland
Monitoring future proposals
A certificate of lawful use was granted by Snowdonia National Park Authority in July 2011 for use of the site for research and development into unmanned aerial vehicles. In a recent development the Welsh Government has signified its intention to proceed with leasing the site to Kemble Air Services, as originally proposed. However, Kemble have still failed to give any information about their plans for the site (including the number of jobs that will be created for local people), nor at the time of writing have they taken any steps to make the buildings on the site available for local businesses. St David’s Hotel, Harlech Also in the Ardudwy area, the Society regrets that there has been no progress
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The Policy Sub-Committee will continue to monitor proposals from the National Park Authority and Welsh Government, especially planning policy reviews taking place at national level and consultation on a new National Parks Policy Statement expected later this year. We await consultation on the options for power transmission from the proposed new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey. Members can be assured that we will do all we can to promote options which will not impact on the spectacular landscapes of the National Park. If there are issues you feel strongly about, or if you are aware of any other issues or planning applications on which you think the Society should be campaigning, please contact Chair of the Policy SubCommittee, David Lewis, on drlewis@ yahoo.com or via the Snowdonia Society office.
Llythyrau • Letters
Llythyrau
•
Letters
Argraffir llythyrau yn yr iaith y derbynnir hwy. Letters are printed in the language that we receive them. Arwyddion yn y Parc Cenedlaethol Signage in the National Park Dear Editor, The SNPA is to erect a stone pillar on Snowdon at Bwlch y Moch. Its purpose may be to save walkers from Crib Goch and difficulties. The Park tells me it will be local stone, 4-5 feet tall, and simply inscribed. Oh, and there will be similar pillars around the summit to show the different descent routes. I trust the Society is vigorously opposed to this programme of signage. Not only is it yet more intrusion into what remains of wildness: the pillars will be defaced; they will sometimes fail in their intended purpose; they will encourage the unprepared to go on the hill without map, compass or the ability to use them. It is the thin end of a very nasty wedge; for if one sign is allowed, why not more? Indeed the SNPA is considering similar pillars at the start of the six footpaths up Snowdon. Next, the high Carneddau, the roughest Rhinogydd? For no case that Snowdon, or this path junction, is in some way special will stop the call for more from those on - but unprepared for - the mountain, and from the authorities who seem unable to understand the true value of the landscape they are tasked with caring for. Yours, John Farrar Nodyn gan y Golygydd: Mae’r mater o byst cyfeirio carreg ar fynydd mwyaf poblogaidd Cymru, hefyd y man ble mae’r rhan fwyaf o ddamweiniau mynydd yn digwydd, wedi ymrannu
aelodau ac Ymddiriedolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri, ac nid oes consensws barn clir yn eu plith. Yn sgil hyn, nid yw Cymdeithas Eryri wedi gwneud sylw cyhoeddus yn gwrthwynebu’r pyst cyfeirio. Yr ydym, fodd bynnag, wedi cwrdd ag Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri a wedi datgan wrthynt na ddylid ystyried hyn yn gynsail ar gyfer gosod rhagor o byst cyfeirio mewn mannau gwyllt eraill yn Eryri. Editor's note: The issue of stone waymarkers on our most popular mountain, which is also the scene of the most mountain accidents, has divided opinion among Snowdonia Society members and Trustees with no clear consensus. For this reason the Snowdonia Society has declined to make a public comment in opposition to the pillars. We have, however, met with SNPA and emphasised that this should not be considered a precedent for additional waymarkers elsewhere in the wild places of Snowdonia. ~~~
Gwadwr y newid yn yr hinsawdd? Climate change denier? Dear Editor, It’s a pity Jim Perrin’s affectionate tribute to Bill Condry (Biodiversity's Bard, CESS Winter 2011 magazine) was marred by an attempt to recruit him, posthumously and anachronistically, as a climate change denier. There are natural variations in the climate we cannot do anything about. In the mid 20th century, before climate science was so well developed, many believed another ice
age was imminent. The global climate will undergo significant cyclical cooling eventually, but the latest estimate is in 15,000 years time. The concern about climate change relates to effects on a comparable scale that are being produced by human activity, that we can therefore influence here and now, but that otherwise threaten to escalate out of control well within the present millennium. Jim Perrin apparently thinks no scientific issue is ever ‘settled’. That may be a matter of semantics, but when 194 governments agree, on the basis of scientific advice, that legal limits are needed on greenhouse gas emissions, few people would regard the science as not settled. Apart, that is, from those who believe there is a worldwide conspiracy of scientists motivated by personal aggrandisement and totalitarian instincts. And, from Jim Perrin’s account of him, I doubt Bill Condry would have believed that if he were alive today. David Lewis Secretary, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution 1992-2002 Mae croeso i chi anfon ymatebion ynglŷn â'r rhifyn hwn, neu unrhyw agwedd arall o waith y Gymdeithas, at y cyfeiriad isod. Please send your letters regarding articles in this issue of the magazine or any other aspect of the Society's activities to: Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail LL55 3NR info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
92 and still enjoying the mountains Dear Snowdonia Society, Just a line to say what a wonderful outing I had last week – in the sun, on the redone path from Pen y Pass to Llyn Llydaw on my mobility scooter. My daughter and son in law came with me and at 10am we took the only disabled parking space and made our way along the new path – a bit bumpy in places, but a great achievement. I had walked it years ago and never thought I would walk it again. The scenery was fantastic, the weather perfect and the first flush of people gone, so we were able to enjoy the peace and beauty. We picnicked by the lake and then made our way home. My daughter had a heart valve replaced last year and managed the walk fine, and I am 92 and was on the bike!! A great day out. Sincerely, Rachel Morris, Anglesey
Llwybr y M
wynwyr •
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Miners' Tra
ck
Eich rhodd i Eryri?
Your legacy to Snowdonia?
Bydd Cymdeithas Eryri yn dathlu ei phen-blwydd yn 45 yn 2012 - 45 mlynedd o ddiogelu’r dirwedd ryfeddol hon, â’i chynefinoedd a’i chymunedau amrywiol. Sut le fydd Eryri ymhen 45 mlynedd arall?
The Snowdonia Society celebrates its 45th birthday in 2012 – that’s 45 years of protecting this amazing landscape, with its diverse habitats and communities. What will Snowdonia be like in another 45 years?
Efallai na fyddwch yma i ddarganfod hynny. Ond, os byddwch yn ysgrifennu’ch ewyllys, pan fyddwch wedi darparu ar gyfer eich ffrindiau a’ch teulu, beth am ystyried gadael rhodd i Gymdeithas Eryri? Gall hyd yn oed cymynrodd fechan gynorthwyo i sicrhau y pery Eryri yn le arbennig y gall cenedlaethau’r dyfodol ei fwynhau.
You may not be here to find out. But, if you are writing a will, once you have made provision for your friends and family, why not consider leaving a gift to the Snowdonia Society? Even a small legacy can help ensure that Snowdonia remains a very special place for future generations to enjoy.
Os hoffech becyn gwybodaeth, neu os ydych eisoes wedi gadael rhodd yn eich ewyllys i Gymdeithas Eryri, gadewch i ni wybod trwy gysylltu â ni ar 01286 685498, neu trwy dicio un o’r blychau isod a dychwelyd y bonyn hwn.
If you would like an information pack, or if you have already left a gift to the Snowdonia Society in your will, let us know by contacting us on 01286 685498, or by ticking one of the boxes below and returning this slip. I have already left a gift to the Snowdonia Society in my will I am thinking of leaving a gift to the Snowdonia Society in my will and would like more information.
Yr wyf eisoes wedi gadael rhodd yn fy ewyllys i Gymdeithas Eryri Yr wyf yn ystyried gadael rhodd yn fy ewyllys i Gymdeithas Eryri ac fe hoffwn ragor o wybodaeth.
Enw/Name................................................................................ Ebost/Email ..................................................................................................... Cyfeiriad/Address ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Dychwelwch i/Return to: Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR
www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk 01286 685498
© John Farrar
Ymaelodwch! • Join us! Cymdeithas Eryri
Snowdonia Society
Fe hoffwn i/hoffem ni ymuno â Chymdeithas Eryri a chefnogi ei gwaith yn y Parc Cenedlaethol.
I/We would like to join the Snowdonia Society and help support its work in the National Park. Membership required (please tick):
Math o aelodaeth (ticiwch): O dan 25 oed £12 y flwyddyn (gohebiaeth i gyd trwy e-bost)
Under 25 years £12 per year (all communications by email)
Unigolyn £20 y flwyddyn
Individual £20 per year
Aelodaeth Oes £450 Teitl:
Cyd/Teulu/Cyswllt £30 y flwyddyn £
Cyfraniad dewisol blynyddol
Enw cyntaf:
Cyfenw:
Joint/Family/Affiliate £30 per year
Life £450 Title:
£ Forename:
Optional annual donation Surname:
Address:
Cyfeiriad:
Postcode:
Cod post: Ffôn:
Symudol:
Tel:
Mobile:
E-bost:
Dyddiad geni (dewisol):
Email:
Date of birth (optional):
Gwarchod Data – Bydd y Gymdeithas yn cadw cofnod o’ch aelodaeth ar ein cyfrifiadur ond ni fydd yn rhoi eich manylion i unrhyw drydydd barti.
Cymorth Rhodd (Ticiwch y blwch os ydych yn drethdalwr yn y DU os gwelwch yn dda. Bydd hyn yn hybu gwerth eich tanysgrifiad heb unrhyw gost i chi.)
Hoffwn i’m tanysgrifiad a’m cyfraniadau gymhwyso ar gyfer Rhodd Cymorth. Rydw i’n talu treth incwm neu dreth enillion cyfalaf sydd gyfwerth â’r swm a adhawlir gan yr elusen. Llofnod:........................................................................... Dyddiad: ............................ Llofnod:........................................................................... Dyddiad: ............................
Data Protection – The Society will keep your membership record on our computer but it will never pass on your details to third parties.
Gift Aid (Please tick the box if you are a UK taxpayer. This boosts the value of your
subscription at no cost to you. The Snowdonia Society will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give.)
I/We would like my subscription and donations to qualify for Gift Aid. I am/We are paying income or capital gains tax equal to the amount being reclaimed by the charity.
Signature(s):......................................................................... Date: ............................ Signature(s):......................................................................... Date: ............................
Dychwelwch y ffurflen hon ynghyd â naill gorchymyn Debyd Uniongyrchol neu siec at:
Please return this form with either a completed Direct Debit mandate or a cheque to:
Cymdeithas Eryri, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon. LL55 3NR
Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon. LL55 3NR
Gallwch hefyd ymuno ar-lein ar ein gwefan:
www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk
You can also join online via our website:
www.snowdonia-society.org.uk
20% DISCOUNT To all Cymdeithas Eryri - Snowdonia Society Members on production of a current Membership Card Your local stores are Cotswold Outdoor Royal Oak Holyhead Road, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, LL24 0AY. Tel: 01690 710710 Rock Bottom Clearance Outlet Holyhead Road, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, LL24 0AP. Tel: 01690 710234 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com *Offer not applicable to Gift Vouchers, Sale Items or Special Ordered products. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount structure. The offer is available for use at any Cotswold store or through our Mail Order and Online services, access details available from the Cymdeithas Eryri - Snowdonia Society office.
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