The combination of SatNav re-routing due to traffic, and me re-routing due to stupidity meant that it was a 345 mile drive by the time we had got our two cars to the start and finish points of the first day climb. With varying levels of fitness and mobility, we knew we wouldn’t be able to walk as a team of five from start to finish, but planned to re-group frequently.
Setting off at 1.20pm from the familiar Pen-y-pass car park onto the Pyg track, the first sign we saw was the daily updated “conditions at the top” notice, which advised that we should expect a temperature of 2 degrees celsius at the top – mid July !!! The first peak to climb was the pretty daunting Crib Goch. Not to be taken lightly, it’s strongly advised not to attempt this knife edge arrete in low visibility or wet or windy conditions. Andrew Iain and Jack decided to by-pass it and aim direct for the second peak where we’d meet up. As we climbed, the weather immediately took a turn for the worse and Andy and I had a pretty scary time as we inched along the Crib Goch ridge, with steep drops on either side and a howling wind and lashing rain to help us on our way. It seemed to take a long time before reaching a point that felt relatively safe, but we’d got our first (and probably worst) peak done. It was then a fairly long traverse around the edge of Garnedd Ugain, before turning right and scrambling up to the peak where by miraculous timing, we met Jack who’d just arrived at the summit. The conditions were seriously bad by now. I hope this picture conveys how cold, wet and tired I was feeling at this point (and how much fun Jack was having). This link shows the live action!!! https://youtube.com/shorts/7DhqEYCft8c?feature=share
From there, it was a comparatively gentle dip, then climb up to the top of Snowdon, arriving at about 4.45. At this point, we learned that Iain was still back down the Pyg track, struggling badly with extreme knee pain and would have difficulty getting back off the mountain under his own steam. Mercifully, the mountain top cafe was open and the mountain train was still running, so when he and Andrew arrived, they were able to get the last two seats on the train going down at 5.30. I think it would have taken several painful hours for him to have got back down on foot, so we were lucky (although at £28 each for a 6 mile train trip, Andrew didn’t feel very lucky). As we waved the train goodbye Andy, Jack and I made our way back down the miners track to the car and headed to our base in Llanberis. After a quick shower and change we went out at 8.35 to find that Llanberis pubs stop serving food at 8.30, and the Indian restaurant is unlicensed !!! It had been a tough day.
More tomorrow.
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