Eryri waterfalls transformed into 'monsters' that forced visitors to change their plans

A couple on a waterfall tour of North Wales came across some “bad boys” during Storm Bert. Swollen by heavy rainfall, cascades in Eryri (Snowdonia) were transformed into raging torrents that thundered onto the rocks below.

At Aber Falls, recently named the UK’s most popular circular hike, Jordan Darby altered his plans after seeing the conditions. Usually he likes a cold water dip but with tonnes of icy water crashing down, he judged it too dangerous.

Instead, he took an impromptu shower from the spray that drifted out across the valley beneath the falls.. “I went there in summer with friends and of course it was completely different,” he said.

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"As we'd pre-booked our visit before the storm developed, we had to change our plans. When you see the waterfall like it was, you just have to respect the power of nature. I've done a lot of cold-water dipping but this was something else. With the waterfalls in full spate, it was just incredible. After assessing the situation I took off my top and had a shower in the spray, not getting too close to the falls. Even so, the feeling was amazing, just out of this world.”

Jordan, 37, from Sheffield, visited the spectacular 120ft waterfall in Abergwyngregyn on Sunday, November 24. With partner Holly Aston, they’d tried to get to the Devil’s Appendix, the tallest single-drop waterfall in Wales. But having arrived at Cwm Idwal, they were driven back by strong winds and headed to Aber Falls instead.

The day before, Jordan got soaked when visiting Ceunant Mawr, a normally serene two-drop waterfall near the start of the Llanberis path up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). On Sunday, it had been transformed into a monster as storm water hurtled down 100ft to overwhelm the plunge pool below.

"I mean, Jesus Christ, it was absolutely amazing,” said Jordan. “I’ve visited a lot of waterfalls but I’d never seen anything like this before. Holly took a photo from a distance which made me look closer than I was - but it was still unreal." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

He added: “I was only wearing shorts and that's just as well as I instantly got drenched by the spray. I tried to call my mum but I couldn't get my touchscreen to work because it was so wet. And when I did eventually get through, I couldn’t hear a word she was saying, the roar was so loud.”

Waterfalls are inherently dangerous, especially so over winter when flows intensify. They are a recurring theme in mountain rescue logbooks: Aber Falls crops up repeatedly but there have been tragedies at Ceunant Mawr too. There's more on this here.

Jordan has turned his life around since leaving prison in March. Each day, before leaving for work as a scaffolder, he goes for a two-hour walk, broadcasting video to his 8,000 followers on TikTok. His running commentary often centres on mental health.

“At the start of the year I was in a bad place,” he said. “I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was 16 and I’ve done some stupid things. But when I came out of prison, I started doing walks and it’s changed my life. In the last six months I’ve visited more places, and seen more sights, than I had in the past 20 years.

“I do a lot of cold water dipping as well, so I’m used to it - but it was still freezing at Aber Falls and my spray shower didn’t last long! When I go walking, I discuss mental health with my followers. Now that I’m back in control of my life, I’ve also begun raising money for Mind, the mental health charity.”

Next year he’s attempting the North Coast 500, a 516-mile route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. Jordan expects the trip to take 20 days and he will be wild camping en route.

His current visit to North Wales is part of his preparations for the epic walking challenge. Again, this will raise money for Mind - there’s a JustGiving page here.

On Monday, Jordan and Holly’s waterfall hunt was a more sedate affair, taking in minor plunges near the Miners’ Bridge in Betws-y-Coed. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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