We cross the road by Glan Dena at about 3 o'clock and embark on the last major climb of the day. Following Afon Lloer allows the chance of one more stream drink before turning left up the pleasant heathery ridge leading to Pen-yr-Ole-Wen summit. We have probably slowed up a bit by now and find sucking the odd small boiled sweet, kept firmly hidden in a pocket so far, helps considerably. We tell ourselves that once up this one, it is only necessary to keep putting one foot in front of the other on quite flat going. A cheering thought but somewhat short of the truth! However, the uphill bits to come are short and only a couple at all steep.

Trudging along steadily over Carnedd Dafydd, around the rim of the impressive Black Ladders cliffs and along the little ridge which divides the Capel Curig side of the range from the Bethesda side, we eventually push up to the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn, the highest of this group. From here we can see all three tops yet to be reached.

Sometimes during this walk, we fall in for a while with other people headed in the same direction. This can be particularly welcome on the Carnedd range since the distances between summits are long and the going relatively monotonous. A little cheerful chatter helps the miles roll by.
Now is the time when we are obliged to make the only diversion of the walk. Yr Elen is on a little ridge of its own, forming a spur to the west of Carnedd Llewellyn, with deep valleys on either side. There is nothing for it but to go there and back again which takes about an hour. Nuisance though it may seem, Yr Elen is a delightful little mountain well worth the visit. We usually stop a while on the summit for more food, drink and to take in the view. One evening on the ridge we were serenaded by a ring ousel in full song, letting rip from its perch on an exposed rock.
Starting back towards Carnedd Llewelyn, we are in high spirits. Just one short steep bit ahead and the remainder of the way is all easy going. There is no need to go quite all the way to the summit again as an easy though trackless little contour to the left is well worthwhile.