Foel Quarry
A landscape photography blog by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography.
Wales was open once again, and after looking at the weather forecast I slipped a days annual leave in to go off exploring.
Today’s location was Foel Quarry, which sits above the village of Capel Curig, on the eastern slopes of Moel Siabod in the Eryri National Park. I had been at this spot back in October 2019, but due to a bout of cold I’d only managed to get as far as Rhos Quarry. Today the plan was to climb up to Llyn Siabod, whilst it was cool, and then photograph the quarry on the way down.
I set off from home at 03:00, and parked up in Capel Curig just as the sun was rising. As I hadn’t been any higher than Rhos Quarry I didn’t want to attempt the climb up in the dark, so I knew it wasn’t going to be an epic light kind of day, but with clear conditions it’d be good for getting my bearings.
I know to get to the top of anything it’s up bank all the way, but the climb up to Llyn Siabod was a bit of a struggle. It’s a very sharp uphill from the off, and doesn’t plateau out at too many spots, and those plateaus are a fair distance apart. I’m glad I didn’t attempt the climb in the dark. Past Rhos Quarry the track is quite rough with lots of boulders, so plenty of potential to turn over an ankle.
I made it Llyn Siabod around 07:30, and had my breakfast of ham, and mustard sandwiches, washed down with a sweetened coffee, which was bliss. At this point I had yet to see another person. Being high up there was just enough breeze to keep the midges away, and the temperature at this point was quite bearable. It briefly crossed my mind whether I should summit Moel Siabod, but I talked myself out of it, as what I’d come to photograph was in the opposite direction.
I took a few images of Llyn, and Moel Siabod, and then started to make my way back down the slopes to photograph the quarry.
If I’m honest Foel Quarry itself was a little disappointing. I struggled to make sense of the area, and as a result found it hard to get much in the way of compositions that I liked. It probably didn’t help that temperatures were starting to soar, and that I was knackered.
I’ll definitely go back to summit Moel Siabod, and to photograph Rhos Quarry at sunrise, but I think for Foel Quarry the next time will just be a walk on by.
All in all it was a very enjoyable morning. I got my bearings, and a few images. Unfortunately I picked the hottest day of the year, with temperatures touching 37 degrees celsius. I’d taken what I thought was plenty food, and drink but at those temperatures I’d certainly got through my drinks quicker than anticipated..
You can view more images from Foel Quarry, and my gallery of other North Wales locations.
