In reply to ianstevens:
I don't usually reply or get involved with any 'discussions' on UKC anymore as I just don't have the time or the inclination. However, as this thread now directly involves me I thought hey what the heck.
Yes Golden Girl Ali was in along with it partner route to the right probably the only two routes in North Wales in.
It was unexpectedly in though and great little steal.
Some of the post here quote temperature gauges Facebook pictures and peoples report not to mention the white guide! which strangely enough I had a small part in writing, (very small I must add in the fact that I knew the author and he asked me what I thought of it before it went 'live'). But let me lead you along my thought processes which led to the result.
Weather forecasting from numerous sources showed cold (below freezing) temperatures at night and day time for 3 days leading up to Sunday, The wind was a brisk 30 mph gusting at mph also for this time coming from NW to NE. This coupled with snow and hail meant that it rime would be growing and growing quickly, high up
Idwal temp gauge showed air temps at sub zero turf hover in around 2 degrees at 850 (which I must add is below the route)
Eyeball information from friends told me freezing level was at 850, snow was freezing and turf nearly frozen but not quite.
So my winter brain is now saying something 'may' be in. but where? Well from experience (too many years to remember) I know that Colgwyn du / tower, Crib Goch and crag x are all high enough exposed enough and have turf less routes to have possibilities.
We picked Golden Girl Ali as a route, why?
1. it was a nice winter warm up,
2. the above weather forcasting.
Leaving the car a 7ish it didn't look good, but breaks in the cloud showed white and rime on Cloggy so we decided to take the kit for a walk and have a look.
The snow began to freeze at the base of lower cwm and by the time we reached the base of the route well frozen, and tower slabs were covered in an inch or 2 of good ice. The tower was white! absolutely plastered with rime. We had a small discussion on where the route went and headed up the gully. Immediately we knew the route was a in. Turf was frozen, ice was good and rock was rimed.
The route was even better. A great little number, very little turf on it it basically hooking, torquing and smearing from snow covered ledge to ledge. There where a few places where turf was needed but this was solid, it had to be as it was small blobs, ripping them would mean impossible to climb.
So we summited in the sunshine to below -2 temps. A sweet unexpected snatched route.
So in reply to the doomsayers, the soothsayers who quote temp gauges as proof, walkers who haven't even seen the crag. I say this...
The information on the web and anecdotal quotes are invaluable for deciding but, never dismiss the possibility, read the weather forecast, know the terrain, research the routes and possibilities, and never be NOT prepared to take a heavy bag for a really long walk. you never know some thing good may come out of it.