Yr Elen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yr Elen |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 962 m (3,156 ft) |
| Prominence | 57 m (187 ft) |
| Parent peak | Carnedd Llewelyn |
| Listing | Hewitt, Welsh 3000s, Nuttall, Furth |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Eleanor or the leech |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gwynedd, United Kingdom |
| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH673651 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115 |
Yr Elen is a mountain found in the Carneddau mountain range. This range is located in Snowdonia, Wales. It is a very tall mountain, ranking as the ninth highest in all of Snowdonia.
The top of Yr Elen is usually quite cool. The average temperature there throughout the year is about 4 degrees Celsius. The mountain sits on a short ridge that extends from the main Carneddau ridge. It is just over one kilometer away from Carnedd Llewelyn, another well-known peak.
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Climbing Yr Elen: Routes and Views
Most people who climb Yr Elen do so from the main ridge of the Carneddau mountains. It is only a short walk from the top of Carnedd Llewelyn. This makes it a popular choice for hikers already exploring the area.
Other Ways to Reach the Top
You can also start your climb from a village called Gerlan, near Bethesda. This route follows a river called Afon Llafar. However, this path can be tricky. It goes through wet valleys, and you might need to cross several rivers. These rivers can be hard to get across, especially after it has rained.
When the weather is dry, another way to climb is by crossing the Afon Caseg river. Then, you can head up the "front edge" of the mountain.
Amazing Views from Yr Elen
No matter how you get there, the views from Yr Elen are incredible on a clear day. Looking northwest, you can see all the way to Bangor and the island of Anglesey. If you are there during a summer sunset, the view is truly stunning. Many climbers feel that these amazing sights make the challenging climb completely worth it.
What Does the Name "Yr Elen" Mean?
The exact meaning of the name "Yr Elen" is not fully known. There are a couple of ideas about where the name came from.
A Royal Name
One idea is that it comes from the personal name "Helen" or "Eleanor." It might have been named after Eleanor de Montfort. She was a princess of Wales and the wife of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. She lived a long time ago, in the 1200s.
A Mountain That Sticks Around
Another idea for the name comes from the Welsh word gelen, which means "leech." This might sound a bit strange for a mountain! But it could refer to how Yr Elen seems to be "attached" or "stuck" to the side of the other Carneddau mountains, much like a leech attaches itself.
