Crib Lem Scramble (aka Lech Ddu Spur)
By The Bald Scrambler
Crib Lem
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Date: 17th October 2023. Filed at: Carneddau Scrambles. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links. Disclaimer: Scrambling is a dangerous sport, this route description does not provide step-by-step instructions – read disclaimer. Leave a comment here.
A classic scramble that few people seem to know of? That would be Crib Lem, aka Llech Ddu Spur.
Below you’ll find a map, route description, photos and my opinion of the scramble.
Prefer a video? Watch my YouTube Video:
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Parking For Crib Lem
The route starts in the village of Gerlan, but parking here is very limited, and the roads are narrow.
I have heard of hikers and scramblers having issues with local residents who were unhappy at all their parking places being taken by visitors, so I recommend parking further away from the start point.
In the town of Bethesda, there is a pay and display car park just off the A5, and also a free car park (here’s a map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VY8rsgZ6oM8Kc8C8 ). Both are a short walk from the start of the route.
My Favourite Scrambling Book
The Approach
Getting to the start of the Crib Lem takes about an hour and a half and the initial path is difficult to follow and very boggy after rain.
- From Bethesda, head along Gerlan Road.
- Go into Ffordd Gerlan (road).
- This road soon narrows to a single lane.
- Go over the bridge over the stream.
- Soon, a marked footpath is visible to the left.
- Follow the path south east, with the stream on your left.
- Follow this path (faint in places initially) all the way into the head of the valley, with the stream (Afon Llafar) always on your left.
I suggest using a mapping service such as All Trails as I found the start a little tricky to find when I first tried this route.
Imagery © 2023 Google, Airbus, Bluesky, Infoterra, COWI, Cnes/Airbus, Getmapping PLC, Landset, Maxar Technologies
The Start of Crib Lem
Viewed from below, it’s difficult to tell exactly which ridge is Crib Lem, the white lines on this image mark the way. The initial section is a hike and involves a zigzag up the side of the mountain.
Above: Follow the faint path with a waterfall on the right.
Here I’m making my way up the zigzag path to the start of Crib Lem.
This marks the starting point of Crib Lem, note the quartz slabs.
Getting to the start can be difficult in poor visibility and strong navigation skills are required. This is not a popular route and the path is faint in places.
The entire scramble is on the All Trails app and I found it very accurate.
Here’s a map showing the zigzag path:
Imagery © 2023 Google, Airbus, Bluesky, Infoterra, COWI, Cnes/Airbus, Getmapping PLC, Landset, Maxar Technologies
The scramble proper starts at the quartz slabs and the initial section offers blocky holds and good quality scrambling firmly at grade 1.
The main hazards I found on this section were wet rocks that could be slippery due to algae/lichen.
Most of the holds I encountered were solid, with very few loose rocks.
The scrambling here is typical of Crib Lem; solid holds, a few bridging moves and some mossy, lichen-covered rock with grass here and there.
Me looking down the valley with the stream just visible in the distance.
This section looks like a Christmas tree can be slippery when wet. The terrain shown here is typical of Crib Lem.
I found navigation on the ridge straightforward; I just stayed true to the ridge for the most part.
This part of Snowdonia is often misty and very atmospheric as you can see here:
Reaching The Top of Crib Lem
Near the top of Crib Lem, the ridge gradually loses its identity, widens out and the final section is scree up to the summit of Carnedd Daffyd.
Continuation
There are several options from the summit of Carnedd Daffyd:
- Take the path up to Carnedd Llywelyn and follow the ridge north/northwest back down to the village of Gerlan.
- From Carnedd Daffyd, take the faint path northwest parallel but above the stream, back to Gerlan (difficult to follow at first).
- Continue exploring the Carneddau (perhaps via Pen yr Ole Wen) and get a bus back to Gerlan.
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
Route Profile and Information
Scrambling Grade: Grade 1.
Suitability for Beginners: This is a classic grade 1 scramble, and the usual dangers are present; however, navigation and wet rocks were of concern during my visit.
Navigation: The initial path can be difficult to follow as can the route up to the quartz slab. Good navigation skills are required for the approach.
Dangers: As expected for a grade 1 route, plus wet, lichenous rocks and navigation issues finding the route and descending from the summit.
Time (car to car): Just over 5 hours via the most direct descent, add a couple of hours if you go via Pen yr Ole Wen and get the bus back.
Popularity: This is a quiet route (well it has been every time I have been).
Fun Rating: 8/10.
My Dislikes: None.
Similar Routes in Snowdonia:
More:
I’ve only scrambled Crib Lem twice but I enjoyed it both times and will be back again soon.
This scramble is also included in Steve Ashton’s “Scrambles in Snowdonia”, which is a bible of sorts for scramblers.
If you’re new to scrambling or want to find new routes, try this compact book that is small enough to fit in your backpack and maybe even your pocket.
About Daniel Weadley
These photos and route descriptions were created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler and this page forms part of the Carneddau Scrambles.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
1 Comment
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Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
Great walk, got the book after reading this and did the walk. We went in July and the weather was the same as you photos. The spur is amazing, looks impossible but when you’re in it the holds are numerous and the route pretty clear (lots of crampon scratches to follow).
Thanks for posting this.