Editing Tryfan

{{Short description|Mountain in northwest Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
 | name              = Tryfan
 | photo             = Tryfan - geograph.org.uk - 1454299.jpg
 | elevation_m       = 917.5
 | elevation_ref     = <ref name="resurvey"/>
 | prominence_m      = 191
 | parent_peak       = [[Glyder Fawr]]
 | listing           = [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]] [[Hewitt (hill)|Hewitt]], [[Welsh 3000s|Welsh 3000]], [[Nuttall (hill)|Nuttall]], [[List of Furths|Furth]]
 | translation       = very high peak<ref>Alexander Falileyev, [https://books.google.com/books?id=c8qMTAsYqNsC&dq=tryfan+etymology&pg=PA151 ''Etymological Glossary of Old Welsh''] (Tübingen, 2000), p. 151.</ref>
 | language          = [[Welsh language|Welsh]]
 | pronunciation     = 
 | location          = [[Conwy (county borough)|Conwy]], Wales
 | range             = [[Snowdonia]]
 | coordinates       = 
 | grid_ref_UK       = SH664593
 | topo              = [[Ordnance Survey|OS]] ''Landranger'' 115 / ''Explorer'' OL17
 | easiest_route     = 
}}
'''Tryfan''' ({{IPA|cy|ˈtrəvan}}) is a mountain in the [[Ogwen Valley]], [[Snowdonia]], [[Wales]]. It forms part of the [[Glyderau]] group, and is one of the most recognisable peaks in Britain, having a classic pointed shape with rugged [[cliff|crags]]. At {{convert|917.5|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level, it is the [[Welsh 3000s|fifteenth-highest mountain in Wales]]. Tryfan was voted Britain's favourite mountain by ''Trail'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/21/welsh-mountain-tryfan-tops-poll-britain-favourite-peaks-snowdon|title=Tryfan|website=Guardian|access-date=2017-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927155651/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/21/welsh-mountain-tryfan-tops-poll-britain-favourite-peaks-snowdon|archive-date=2017-09-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between the mid-1980s and June 2010, its accepted height was {{convert|915|m}}. However, it was resurveyed using accurate GPS measurements and found to be 2.4 metres (eight feet) higher (which the pre-1980s surveys also recorded).<ref name="resurvey">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/10401544.stm |title=Survey adds 8ft to Tryfan mountain's height |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=June 24, 2010 |accessdate=April 27, 2011}}</ref>

Tryfan is said to be the final resting-place of [[Bedivere|Sir Bedivere]] (Bedwyr) of [[Arthurian legend]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/wales/gwynedd/legends/llyn-ogwen.html |title=Llyn Ogwen |first=Simon |last=Topham |website=Mysterious Britain and Ireland |accessdate=16 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423213947/http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/wales/gwynedd/legends/llyn-ogwen.html |archivedate=23 April 2016 }}</ref>

==Naming==
The name "Tryfan" is thought to derive from the intensifying particle ''try–'' and the noun ''ban'' (‘top, peak’), giving the meaning ‘very high peak’.<ref>Alexander Falileyev, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=c8qMTAsYqNsC&dq=tryfan+etymology&pg=PA151 Etymological Glossary of Old Welsh]'' (Tübingen, 2000), p. 151.</ref>

==Routes of ascent==
[[File:AdamandEveJump.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Jumping from monoliths ''Siôn a Siân'' at the summit of Tryfan.]]
There are many routes of ascent, ranging from easy ridge [[scrambling]], to multi-pitch [[mountaineering]] rock climbs on the east face.

A popular ascent route is its north ridge, which starts close to the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5 road]], about {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} east of Idwal Cottage (a [[youth hostel]]) or Ogwen Cottage (an outdoor pursuits centre). From here a route leads directly up the ridge, a Grade&nbsp;1 scramble by the easiest line. The difficulty can be increased considerably if the most direct line is followed throughout; particularly in the upper sections of the ridge. About a third of the way up there is a distinctive rock known as "The Cannon" which points upwards at 45&nbsp;degrees and is visible from the valley. The North Tower is located three quarters of the way up, which can be avoided to the right or climbed directly at a difficulty of Grade 2.

Tryfan may also be climbed by the south ridge, which links the mountain (via [[Bristly Ridge]]) to [[Glyder Fach]]. The route begins at Bwlch Tryfan, the col between Tryfan and Bristly Ridge. The col is reached by a path leading up from Idwal Cottage to the west, passing through [[Cirque|Cwm]] Bochlwyd. This cwm contains [[Llyn Bochlwyd]].

The summit of Tryfan is famous for the twin [[monoliths]] of ''Siôn a Siân'' (''Adam and Eve'' in English),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carneddau-and-glyderau/features/tryfan|title=Tryfan|website=National Trust|access-date=2016-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920093808/https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carneddau-and-glyderau/features/tryfan|archive-date=2016-09-20|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/an-unforgettable-mountain-day/|title=An unforgettable mountain day &#124; Snowdonia Society|website=www.snowdonia-society.org.uk|access-date=2019-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809203436/https://www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/an-unforgettable-mountain-day/|archive-date=2019-08-09|url-status=live}}</ref> a pair of rocks some three metres (10') high and separated by {{convert|1.2|m|ft}}. The rocks are visible from the Ogwen valley. Those who tackle the "step" between the two rocks are said to gain the "Freedom of Tryfan".<ref name="goodwin">{{cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Stephen |title=Leap before you look |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/leap-before-you-look-190188.html |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=2017-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081628/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/leap-before-you-look-190188.html |archive-date=2017-02-11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Walking in Britain |publisher=Lonely Planet |page=317 |date=2007 |isbn=978-1741042023}}</ref> However, the [[Glossary of climbing terms#E|exposure]] on one side is quite great, and mountain writer [[Frank Showell Styles]] said: "In calm dry weather it is not too hard a step but the penalties of failure are unpleasant in the extreme."<ref name="goodwin"/>

Two prominent pillar-like boulders are visible on the skyline midway through the approach to the summit via the South ridge. As these can be mistaken for ''Siôn a Siân'' from a distance, they have become known as ''Cain and Abel'', continuing the biblical theme.

==Milestone Buttress==
Milestone Buttress at the base of Tryfan is a popular location for [[climbing]]. The Buttress is about 10&nbsp;minutes' walk from roadside laybys. The most popular route is known as the ''Direct Route'': there are often queues of people waiting to climb it. It is {{convert|75|m}} long, and has a [[Grade (climbing)|grade]] of [[Grade (climbing)#British grading system|Very Difficult (VD)]]. The route was first climbed by G. Barlow and H. Priestly-Smith in 1910. There is also a popular Grade&nbsp;3 scramble incorporating the Milestone Buttress. This route is commonly used as an alternative approach to the North Ridge, as is the nearby slabby wedge of Tryfan Bach, on the other side of the mountain.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights=160>
File:The Cannon Stone, Tryfan.jpg|The Cannon Stone, on Tryfan's north ridge.
File:Nwales.tryfan.750pix.jpg|left|Tryfan seen from Ogwen Cottage on the A5 road.
File:Milestone buttress.JPG|Milestone Buttress, eastern side. The direct route is highlighted.
File:Tryfan mountain goats.jpg|Tryfan and neighbouring parts of the Glyderau are home to [[feral goat]]s.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |first=Paul |last=Williams |year=1990 |title=Rock climbing in Snowdonia |publisher=Constable |isbn=0-09-468410-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Ashton |first=Steve |year=1992 |title=Scrambles in Snowdonia |publisher=Cicerone |isbn=1-85284-088-9}}

==External links==
* Computer generated summit panoramas [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/WAL/Tryfan-N.gif North] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/WAL/Tryfan-S.gif South] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas.html index]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2797515 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Tryfan and surrounding area]
 
{{Welsh3000}}
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[[Category:Hewitts of Wales]]
[[Category:Marilyns of Wales]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Snowdonia]]
[[Category:Nuttalls]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in West Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Conwy County Borough]]
[[Category:Climbing areas of Wales]]
[[Category:Furths]]
[[Category:Capel Curig]]