Glaciers in full action start at a mountain. Hundreds of thousands of tons of ice and snow push down from the mountain top with tremendous weight and force. It is hard to imagine that ice could cut though rock, but that’s exactly what happens with a glacier. This huge unstoppable force grinds out the rock. Close to the mountain the glacier scoops out a deep hollow before it continues its grinding movement away from the mountain. And when glaciers eventually melt away, a lake is left behind in the hollow at the foot of the mountain. These lakes are called Cwms in Wales, Corries in Scotland and Cirques in other parts of the world. Cwm Idwal is one of these – it shouts out “A glacier started here!” In case you are interested, Cwm Idwal is 800 metres long and 300 metres wide.
To log this site, take a photo of your self or friend near to the water – preferably holding your GPS, and answer the following question in your log:
WHERE DOES THE WATER LEAVE THE CWM?