Strangely enough I have Highways England to thank for this walk because it was they who at the beginning of January reported that the M6 northbound would be closed every weekend for the rest of the month to enable for them to remove a bridge, the bridge was removed in just one weekend but by then I'd already gone to ground to see where else I could walk taking a specific interest in the Snowdonian, and Peak District National Parks.

Even with these options I couldn't just dive and drive straight in, I like to plan to a point where I've walked the route in my head before boot has set foot on fell and this planning lead me to Y Garn in the northern range of the Snowdon National Park. At 3,106 feet Y Garn is Wales's 7th highest peak and can be linked with Foel-goch to the north and the Glyder's to the south but I won't be taking on such challenges today, today I choose to gain Y Garn via Devil's Kitchen, it's a route I've only ever read about in much detail and all that was required was a green light forecast, today I got that forecast.

It was still dark when I arrived at Ogwen Tourist Centre but the signs were there sunrise was just around the corner. I managed to park right opposite the footpath close to the Visitor Centre and helped myself to a cup of hot Vimto while waiting for sunrise. The Visitor Centre car park was starting to fill quickly and resembled a fashion show for outdoor gear enthusiasts most of whom were wearing B1 and B2 rated climbing boots along with technical ice axes fastened to the backs of their packs which made me wonder did they know something that I didn't? Another camper van draws up one space over to my car and two young lads jump out and start taking pictures from funny angles of his camper van, my eyes however, are drawn to the off side front wheel which has gone over the white line which sets off my OCD but all this is temporary as all they wanted to do it seems was stop to take photos and they left soon after. I wander over to the ticket machine where an orderly queue has formed, the guy right at the front is paying with his credit card and can't read the instructions which is causing a line of frustration while I shivered waiting at the back of the queue. Glimpses of light start to appear but by no means was it filling the sky, Tryfan's summit stole all my attention while walking back to the car from where I start to kit up. It's relatively mild with only the slightest of breezes blowing yet despite this I kit up in full Winter gear packing my crampons along with my trusty long handled Grivel ice axe, anything that I wasn't wearing gets packed into my pack which is heavy and appears to be at busting point.

After a sweep of the boot I locked my car, the light was still dim but that didn't stop the crowds from setting off for Llyn Idwal, I hadn't really familiarised myself with faces leaving the car park but during the course of the morning I will. The light is still low so instead of starting my walk I left the Visitor Centre and crossed the A5 just so I could get a wider view of Tryfan, finding a gate in the wall I found the perfect spot close to the Llyn Ogwen Boat House where I hung around a while - eyes gazed upwards whilst thinking "that's one hell of a mountain" that it maybe, but by Summer hopefully I would have climbed it.

I realise I need to pee.

Devil’s Kitchen is the name given to the large gorge which splits the rock of Clogwyn y Geifr (Cliff of the Goat) between Y Garn and Glyder Fawr. The Welsh name for Devil’s Kitchen is Twll Du, meaning ‘black hole’. Twll Du is known as the Devil’s Kitchen because of the plume of steam that is often seen rising from the gorge resembling a chimney. It’s said when steam can be seen rising from the chimney the Devil was cooking.

In this photo you can see the path rising from left to right towards the boulder field seen centre where it appears the path disappears, this isn't so as the path rises steeply towards the large gorge before heading east (left) between the second and third buttresses.

Never mind Devil's Kitchen, devil's teeth come to mind!

With the path continually rising I came across Twll Du waterfall which was heard well before it was seen, I was more impressed however, by the footbridge which was constructed from one solid single span of slate.

I hung around a while because I could here voices from below who turned out to be the gang from Liverpool, it would appear for whatever reason they had left the footpath and were making their way back up which explains why I couldn't see them earlier.

From the the top of Devil's Kitchen I was flanked by craggy outcrops which created an 'alley effect' along the narrow footpath but once clear of the crags Y Garn in all its glory appeared and my wheezing chest was replaced by the butterflies in my stomach.

The school boy error here would be to head straight over the crags before joining the path for the summit but I don't do this (although my head was telling me to do so) Instead I trace over snow covered swollen ground before arriving at Llyn Cwu a short distance away.

I left Llyn Cwu while spurred on by the sunshine over Y Garn summit, you might be able to make out the two paths in this photo, the direct path is seen centre while the ridge path appears further right.

By this point I had been passed by a solo walker who had just left the summit followed by two young girls all of whom are wearing crampons. Underfoot there is fresh snow which has fell on a mix of old snow and ice, traction without crampons was fine for now but with the three people who had just passed me wearing crampons perhaps I'm soon to encounter ice so I stop, de-shoulder and add my crampons.

As the saying goes 'add them before you need them'

Despite my descent almost coming to an end it wasn't without various rock steps which had to be negotiated and slowed things down a little, it was here I am passed by dozens of walkers in ascent and I wondered of their timings much the same as I would passing anyone during the ascent of Helvellyn at midday within the depths of Winter. By the time I left the North West ridge my feet were ready for the shingled shoreline of Llyn Idwal where families wrapped up whilst eating lunch and dog walkers walked their dogs. I pass a photographer in conversation with another chap and overheard him saying "this is my favourite place to come no wonder I take so many pictures" I certainly know how that feels I said to myself.

I rejoined the path back to the Visitor Centre passing dozens more walkers and dog walkers and within minutes I can see a long line of cars choking the A5 as far as the eye can see. The visitor Centre is reached right after crossing Nant Idwal via its footbridge but before I head back to the car I want to go back to the Boat House on the shores of Llyn Ogwen to eat lunch, I pray there is no one else there and my prayers get answered. By now Tryfan is free from cloud but Pen yr Ole Wen isn't so lucky. I down pack, find a dry rock and perch myself upon it and tuck into lunch whilst pondering this brilliant alternative to the Cumbrian Fells less than two hours away.

After lunch I retrace my steps and cross the A5 and make my way back to the Visitor Centre where as expected was a hive of activity where people queued for food at the shop and cars came and went looking to park, mine will be available in a few moments but you're not having my parking ticket, I'm keeping that for memories.