After initial plans to visit Cadair Idris were thwarted, the Welsh weekend trip set off destined for Snowdonia, arriving at Pen-y-Pass YH late on Friday night.
Daylight next morning revealed a well snow-covered landscape, but it was relatively mild with no wind. An early start was achieved despite certain people's attempts to lie in (don't worry, I wouldn't mention you by name, Nick). The 'A' team of Sarah A., Martin and Nick H. set off to tackle the dizzying heights of Crib Goch while the rest, ably led by Nick S. aimed to climb Snowdon by the slightly gentler Pyg track.
The lower party enjoyed some magnificent views as the cloud cover lifted and the sun actually came out. Meanwhile Martin was striding fearlessly over Crib Goch in a magnificent display of daring-do. Funnily enough, Sarah and Nick found a hands-and-knees approach often more secure, but what were they worried about? As Martin said, it's just like walking along a pavement except that if you fall off you die!
The groups somehow met at the summit of Snowdon, despite the dozens of other walkers and army platoon who happened to be there at the same time. A descent via Lliwedd was decided upon which was almost a substitute for those who'd missed out on the Crib Goch experience.
On Sunday everyone headed for the Glyders, one group starting from Devil's Kitchen, the others attempting a scramble over Bristly Ridge. Conditions were even better than the previous day with sun and no cloud-cover.
The route up Devil's Kitchen proved treacherously icy and the club's new ice-axes were christened in style. Nick attempted a first self-arrest with his very own axe (aptly named Imminent Death" and surely destined to become a legend in its own lifetime...) but was thoroughly disappointed when Martin caught him by his rucksack.
The second group had decided to have a closer look at Bristly Ridge despite its daunting appearance with steep, bouldery slopes covered in hard-packed snow, and lack of an obvious route. Having ascended as far as the rock it was decided that the scramble ahead was just to tricky and exposed to cope with. But descent from this position proved far from easy, and the second self-arrest of the day was needed as Sarah D. almost took the express route down - under gravity.
On top of the Glyders both parties were rewarded with amazing views of the snow-covered peaks and out to sea. Everyone found, climbed and was photographed on the Cantilever; the crampon equipped group descended Devil's Kitchen with considerably more ease than the first group had gone up it; and Martin achieved his ambition to conquer Tryfan.
Arrival back in Cambridge was late on Sunday evening due to a long day spent walking - not to mention the circumnavigating of Northampton several times on the way home.
Those taking part were: Nick S., Sarah A., Nick K., Sarah D., Nick H. (confused? we were), Janet, and Martin and Mike who also drove the minibus.
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