This remarkable drawing was made by Cornelius Varley in 1803 when he and Joshua Cristall climbed Cader Idris to capture the extraordinary prospects, light and effect. Cader Idris on the southernmost edge of Snowdonia rises to almost 3000 ft and dominates the surrounding landscape.
Three peaks make up Cader Idris itself, Pen y Gadair, Cyfrwy and Tyrau Mawr. The Pistyll Cain are spectacular waterfalls which lie in the Coed y Brenin forests to the north of Dolgellau and the path leading from Cader Idris to the falls, which weaves through some of the most dramatic scenery of North Wales, evidently enthralled Varley and Cristall. We know the pair stayed sketching on Cader Idris until darkness fell.
