On a beautiful sunny day we gathered in North Wales - those of us supporting the railways having the joy of a wait in Bank Holiday Bangor - getting the trip off to a good start. On arrival in the bunkhouse it was found that Silke and Birgit were already exploring the area. Meanwhile the climbers were exploring the climbing routes on the beams in one of the dorms. There was to be no escape from climber-speak this trip! In true CUHWC style the first walk was to the Pub in Bethesda. But which one? Caution was the word of the day with James telling us tales of Welsh nationalist strongholds and other dubious deeds. Well there we were drinking away, having avoided the dodgy looking pub with blindfolds and the local rugby team, when the locals in this pub decided to drown us out by putting exceedingly loud music through the loudspeaker. We took the hint, leaving James and Andy to slowly finish their pints and Keith (doing his presidential duty) to protect them. Keith's scary appearance must have done the trick as all arrived safely back.
Another beautiful sunny day dawned. We were all woken by Dave's alarm - all except Dave. Rowland and Dave were nevertheless first out - off to some rock somewhere loaded with ropes etc. Keith and Kevin went along to ascend the Devil's Kitchen, and wander along the ridge to Y Garn, and Foel Goch. Well, according to Kevin, Keith benefiting from his intense Easter fitness programme, was going much faster than a wander. Paul, Jane, Toby, Silke, Birgit, Stephen and Marcus intrepidly set off through Bethesda, up the Afon Llafar to the Llech Du spur of Carnedd Dafydd. About half way through the ascent we spotted Margaret, James and Andy so waited for them. This catching up was not (as they wished us believe) due to their fleet-footedness, but due to the fact that they'd driven through Bethesda! The scramble and ice-axe-worthy snow patch to the summit would have had lovely views, but we'd reached cloud level. We continued along the ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn - with Andy and Toby rolling around in the snow trying to practise ice axe arrests - to the confusion of a couple of old chaps walking past. Then to Foel Grach - A and T trying again and the old men asking whether they "spend all their time rolling around in the snow?"
The saddest event of the day was the discovery that Ben had broken his nose (had our fearless koala taken on the Bethesda rugby team single-handedly?). We returned along the ridge westward - and on descent the evening sun shone, the hill glowed, the sea was cloudlike and bogs damp. Not braving Bethesda beers were brought in and Trivial Pursuit played by all.
Today the start was slightly slower but Katherine and Mike, who had only arrived yesterday were off to walk the Carneddau Ridge. Despite taking the wrong path in the woods above Bethesda they managed to get round in the deteriorating weather to Aber Falls and back - late enough to actually report improving weather.
James, Andy and Stephen went up Tryfan and Bristly Ridge pursued by a party of schoolkids. They also visited the Glyders. Paul, Toby, Jane, Margaret, Marcus and Kevin went off via a local village where they were pursued by 2 giggly 7 year old girls calling them "Rubber ding dings" ???! Surviving this we reached the lumps we'd missed yesterday including Gryn and Moel Wnion. Margaret, having chosen the walk thinking we might avoid the cloud, was disappointed when we didn't - but dropping down to the beautiful but busy Aber Falls we got below it. The local slate slab fences and sea views were notable on the way back.
Dave had managed to persuade Keith to go climbing with him so they were
late enough back to join us in a session of silly games - including the dream game
in which
Rowland turned into a mass murderer, James had a close encounter with some sheep, Keith with some
nurses and Dave met the Anti-Dave who was God, so Dave is....!
The great bunkhouse clean-out and changeover! Jane, Margaret, Paul, Silke, Kevin and Birgit walked from one to the other on this beautiful day. At last we could see where we'd been walking all week. The route was Carnedd y Filiast, Elidir Fawr, Elidir Fach and down via the Quarries and road as the power station people allowed no access along the north side of the lake - a job for the Ramblers Association! Great views were also had of the 2 reservoirs between the power station under Elidir Fawr - which apparently Carol Vorderman (ex Sidney) helped design. James, Andy, Stephen and Rowland walked round the Northern Carneddau and Aber falls though Rowland hadn't a clue where they were - yet he knew there was a climbing wall near Llanberis. Mike had climbed Snowdon and Dave, Keith and Toby climbed the north ridge of Tryfan (the best hill in Wales according to Toby) with camera faffs due to the weather and adrenaline due to exciting routes on Bristly Ridge. After visiting y Gribin and Glyder Fawr they descended via the Devil's Kitchen and found another bit of rock to completely rid their fingertips of any skin. A trip to the Pub was the evening activity to cure withdrawal symptoms and celebrate the arrival of Ian.
A grim day weather-wise - so people were only eating breakfast at 10am. Yet Jane, Silke and Kevin set off first to conquer Snowdon. Rowland, Dave, Ian and Toby went off to the climbing wall never to be seen again..... well until about 7pm. The Snowdon party was sadly depleted due to Kevin's calf muscle soreness, but continued drenched to the bone up the Snowdon Ranger path and up into the cloud, gales and sleet. On joining the path to the summit we became part of the intrepid masses reaching the Trig point for 2 seconds then dropping back down to a relatively more sheltered point. It was so cloudy even the cafe was invisible! We descended by the Llanberis path returning to the bunkhouse to find merely one other route card. Keith had gone for a wander round Moel Eilio and the hill behind the bunkhouse. The rest had gone for an all mighty wuss out - Caernarvon - Pete's Eat's - Bookshop - Picture Shop - Joe Brown's gear shop - Castle (and some wussed out of this!) - Spar - Pete's Eats - Bunkhouse.!! After such a strenuous day the pub was visited again.
The wuss out continued with all but 3 going home today (and only Jane and Andy with decent excuses!) And the weather may have been grey but it didn't rain a drop or blow a gale. Keith, Dave and Ian took advantage of this to do a grade 2-3 scramble up Llechog onto the Llanberis path. The summit was reached - 3rd time for Keith, 5th for Dave and 10th for Ian. The descent was a scramble via Crib Goch and down the North ridge. There was almost sun in the valley and a pleasant day out was had.
And finally - some quotes!
Auch wenn drauben zur Zeit nicht guade der schönste Sonnenschein ist; das Gruppenklima ist klasse!(?) - Birgit
I stand corrected- Toby (!!!)
If anything goes wrong, blame it on Sarah- James
Toby's is the largest- Margaret
I know what I'm thinking but I can't put it into words- Dave
Previous: Keith & Dave go Climbing
Next: Cadair Idris, May 1996