The prevailing weather conditions dictate the character of a chosen route and this was no exception for the meet to Judas Peak via Llandudno Buttress. For the sake of caution, the off path ‘ridge route’ approach was abandoned due to the dense mist and damp lichen covered rocks we would have had to negotiate. The surrounding mist made the ascent via Llandudno Buttress extra ‘atmospheric’.
After connecting with the standard route to Judas Peak we faced the brunt of a strong NW wind and headed straight for the overhang on the south side of the peak for tea.
We were so sheltered looking down onto the mist below that we stayed a leisurely 30 minutes before deciding it was time to face the ‘north wester’ again and return to civilisation. To add to the challenges, it started to drizzle and we all donned our winter gear.
The idea of a lunch break had faded away and we hightailed our way down Llandudno Ravine. The waterfall pitch, protected with pins, was additionally safeguarded with a sling attached to the last pin which otherwise ‘abandons’ one a couple of metres above the ground!
The reward for our efforts were wonderful cloud effects and swirling mist that provide a huge sense of remoteness – the vegetation especially the leucadendron and giant protea stand out proudly.
The 13 of us were back at the cars at 12:45pm.
