Snowdonia
Mountain Landscape Photographs of Snowdonia
Snowdonia is the name designated to a national park of over eight hundred square miles occupying the mountainous region of north-western Wales, extending north-south from Conway to Aberdovery and east-west from Bala to Tremadoc. It has often been described as having the scale and grandeur of the Scottish Highlands combined with the compactness and ease of accessibility of the Lake District. The ancient and traditional name for the region is ‘Eryri’, but its modern and more commonly known name is derived from Snowdon, 1,085m (3,560 ft) the highest mountain south of the Scottish Border. Exposed to the predominantly westerly winds of the Atlantic, Snowdonia is a mild, wet region and snow rarely lingers even on the highest summits in all but the very coldest of winters.
The geological history of Snowdonia mirrors somewhat that of The Scottish Highlands and The Lake District. Much of the unexposed bedrock is Pre-Cambrian over which lie many volcanic rocks from the Ordovician era and Cambrian sandstones, shales and slates, the evidence of which can be seen from the major quarrying works at Dinorwic, Bethesda and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Glaciation has played its part too; nearly every mountain in Snowdonia has one or more flanks deeply rasped out into dramatic, amphitheatre shaped hollows. Often great cliffs stand around them in a half-circle overhanging a deep, black, moraine lake; Clogwyn Du’r Arddu, the main cliffs of Glyder Fach and Fawr, and even the Trinity face on Snowdon itself are such examples. Where two hollows have eaten deeply into opposite sides of a mountain, all that has been left is a narrow ridge such as Crib Goch on Snowdon, Tryfan, Bristly Ridge and The Gribin in the Glyders.
I have a particular affection for Snowdonia as it was where I learnt my craft both as a mountaineer and photographer all those years ago. Regrettably the results of my early photographic efforts are not worthy of inclusion on these pages; however, returning to these mountains in the digital era has been rewarding even if those opportunities have been limited. I have enjoyed seeing and capturing Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley once again – particularly in full winter conditions. However, my favourite image remains the classic and iconic view of the ‘Snowdon Horseshoe’ across the Llynnau Mymbyr from Royal Bridge, Capel Curig.
Snowdon Spring Reflections
The Snowdon Horseshoe dusted with spring snow reflected in the Llynnau Mymbyr at Royal Bridge, Capel Curig.
Sunrise Over Snowdon
The Snowdon Horseshoe in full winter raiment seen across the Llynnau Mymbyr in the light of a midwinter sunrise.
Winter Snowdon
Early morning cloud lifts from the snow clad peaks of The Snowdon Horseshoe on this morning in early January.
Snowdon Morning Mists
Early morning mist rises from the Llynnau Mymbyr to reveal the peaks of The Snowdon Horseshoe.
The Snowdon Horseshoe
The peaks of The Snowdon Horseshoe seen in soft light across the waters of the Llynnau Mymbyr.
Summer Snowdon
The Snowdon Horseshoe and the Llynnau Mymbyr at the height of summer from Royal Bridge, Capel Curig.
Clouds Over Snowdon
Clouds lift from the peaks of the Snowdon Horseshoe in the warmth of early morning winter sunlight.
Snowdon Autumn Reflections
The Snowdon Horseshoe is perfectly reflected in the waters of the Llynnau Mymbyr, Capel Curig.
The Glyders
A panorama of the Glyder range extending from Tryfan to Foel Goch from the summit of Pen-yr-Oleu-Wen.
Snowdon Summer Sunrise
Morning sunlight illuminates the Snowdon Horseshoe rising above the still waters of Llyn Llydaw in Cwm Dyli.
Ogwen Autumn Dawn
Seen from near Helyg, the light of an early autumn dawn illuminates the peaks of the Ogwen Valley.
Tryfan and The Ogwen Valley
A panorama of the Ogwen Valley from Glyder Fach to Pen-yr-Oleu-Wen including Tryfan, Y Garn and Foel Goch.
Ogwen in Winter
The Ogwen Valley and the peaks of Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, Y Garn, Foel Goch and Pen-yr-Oleu-Wen in winter conditions.
The Ogwen Valley
Looking west to Tryfan, Y Garn and Llyn Ogwen from the hillsides above the farm at Bodesi.
Snowdon in Spring
The Snowdon Horseshoe from the Llynnau Mymbyr, Royal Bridge, Capel Curig.
Snowdon in Winter
The peaks of the Snowdon Horseshoe in full winter raiment across a frozen Llynnau Mymbyr.
Snowdon from Glyder Fawr
The northern aspects of Snowdon, Crib Goch and Cwm Glas above the Llanberis Pass from high on Glyder Fawr.
Snowdon from Llyn Llydaw
The peaks of Y Lliwedd and Snowdon from the shores of Llyn Llydaw in the heart of Cwm Dyli.
Tryfan East Face
The superb rock architecture of the east Face of Tryfan is seen to perfection from the ridge of Braich y Ddeugwm.
Snowdon Winter Dawn
Early morning light on the The Snowdon Horseshoe seen across a frozen Llynnau Mymbyr.
Tryfan from Gwern Gof Isaf
From fields near Gwern Gof Isaf farm, Tryfan and Glyder Fach are revealed in the Ogwen Valley.
Tryfan in Winter Raiment
The East Face and North Ridge of Tryfan and Bristly Ridge in full winter raiment seen from Helyg.