Pronunciation: Gleyder Vower
The summit stack at sunset
For details of the ascent of Glyder Fawr, plus loads more pictures, see November 2005 Trip Report
Glyder Fawr is a monster: huge, brooding, and with a complex array of hanging valleys, faces, and ridges. From Pen y Pass it appears as a vast, rocky fellside extending towards a distant plateau, and it is likely that this is the view of the mountain that earned its name: Glyder Fawr means "big lump". From Ogwen, the tremendous north face is a sobering sight.
Although Glyder Fawr cannot quite match its neighbour Glyder Fach in terms of sheer quality of walking, many classic climbs and scrambles run up and down its faces. The Idwal Slabs will be well-known to climbers everywhere. These gigantic slabs of stone, sloping from Senior's Ridge into the hollow of Cwm Idwal, are frequented by climbers at all times of the year and at all hours of the day and night (look for headtorch beams in the dark!). Cutting up the side of the slabs is a Grade 2 scramble which provides a difficult, direct approach to Senior's Ridge, which is a Grade 1 scramble leading to the plateau.
On the other side of Cwm Cneifion ("Nameless Cwm"), the Gribin ridge, approximately Grade 1 if taken direct, provides the best route for walkers to the summit. The only other "pure" way to access this peak from Ogwen is via an unplesant scree path leading up from Llyn-y-Cwn. There are worse scree slopes in Britain (eg. Mickledore if you miss the path), but few are as long as this one. You have been warned!
Alternatively, climb Glyder Fach first, then drop down to Bwlch y Ddwy-Glyder and make the easy fifty metre ascent to the plateau in a matter of ten to fifteen minutes.
Glyder Fawr looks great on the map and from the valley, but to make the most of this mountain you really have to be a climber. For walkers, Glyder Fach offers a worthier challenge.
 From Llyn Ogwen |
 The Upper Cliff from Y Garn |
 View from the plateau |
 Looking across to the Carneddau |
 View of Elidir Fawr and Y Garn |
 From Y Garn south flank |
