Pyg and Pass again

Yes it was second time in a week that I had climbed Snowdon and this route but this time it was a miracle in that Leanne asked if she could walk a mountain so i wasn't going to let that pass.

As we caught the bus up to Pen-y-pass we were optimistic. The weather wasn't great now but hopefully it would brighten up. The photos looked a bit wet in the car park as we started and we took these just in case it didn't let off. It was a bit of a shock to the body for her and the first stretch up the the cross roads with the Pyg track and the Crib Goch was tough and harder than expected. It was drizzling so really we put head down and got on with it. By the time we had reached this cross roads though it lifted a little.

From here the path eased and she started to enjoy it. Every now and again the cloud would lift and the views came through. The track had a few tough areas as the path petered out but it all added to the charm.

A push on up the steps with the weather improving and we were there - Yeeeeess! We could look forward to a hot drink and a dry at the cafe.

AArrrrhhhhh! Its locked up at 4.45. It's good job no one was around as Leanne looks as though she could strangle them!

A quick turnaround then and some water from the spring on the way down and we stormed down the Llamberis path to the hotel. Excellent ealk and a great sense of achievement for Leanne.

The Glyders

The weather today was going to be a bit better with a high risk of rain after 4 in the afternoon so the plan was to go through Devils Kitchen on top do both Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach and come down off the side of Tryfan. Wow that sounds magic - i had been waiting for this for a while. The walk in was gentle with a great view of Lake Idwal and we couldn't take our eyes off a large bunch of climbers on the Idwal slab looking very precarious. It then started to rise up a staircase and with head down we were at Devils Kitchen in good time and had a good look around. We continued around the side on the stair case and were soon on the first level with some great views across to Y-Garn. The clouds were intermittent and when they opened out the views were great. I then started to understand the interconnecting paths and it opens up loads more walking on the range. No time for any photos as there was a tough scree slope to the top of Glyder fawr. A bit steeper than expected but i was feeling fairly good and it wasn't long that we were on top. It was like a moonscape on top and we picked our way across the ridge. We really just sauntered as there was so much to see with views on both sides when the clods lifted and also some tricky rocks and boulders to navigate around. There were a few trickier bits and we found ourselves boulder hopping and scrambling across them. Nice to see Dave on his arse even if it was part of the scramble! Looking back to Glyder Fawr it was surprising how far we had come - good fun. We took a break at Glyder Fach to look at the summit and the cantilever stone - no i didn't! I'll leave that too others. From here it was all down and wow what a down it was. As we dropped off the top we had Tryfan in front of us all the time looking dramatic and challenging. The scree slope we were on though was challenging enough and took most of the concentration as it dropped off 800 metres at a very steep angle. It was a little loose and tricky but i was pleased to be going down rather than up. As we hopped over the style in the saddle it was just a fast walk back to the car. After a sausage roll and can of coke at 4pm on the dot we sat in the car and it chucked it down - perfect timing. What a brilliant days walking - highly recommended!

A Wet Pyg

Yes the Pyg track was so wet today that I decided to leave the camera behind. We caught the sherpa bus fro Llanberis to pen-y-pass and it was raining constantly. That may not be a good thing but the car park was empty and not many people on the hill - great. James and Chris headed off for a horseshoe not including Crib Goch which is an great walk. We on the other hand - with gale force winds and heavier rain forecast - thought this would be a challenge enough. The water coming off the hill and running down the paths was spectacular. With all the flooding just to the north of us it wasn't quite that but the waterfalls were like snow and sparkling everywhere. The bit i didn't enjoy too much is that we were walking in water most of the way up. As usual the stairs are a real pain. This time though i felt stronger and and kept on without too many stops. As i reached the top we all went forward together and wow the weather hit. I don't know how fast the winds were but it was difficult to stand up. We trudged up to the top. There were a number that didn't bother with the trig point because it was too dangerous. After some food and a drying out in the cafe we decided on a route march down the llanberis pass and with the thought of a few pints waiting at the end it was less than a couple of hours before we were in the pub. Nice!

The Zig Zag Path

Arrived in Llanberis today on a wet Thursday and thought we would re-live Kev's earlier memories and head up the slate quarry zig zag path. A route when he was younger he would do each evening to get a pint each night, tough but worth it! Well for pint it was. The area was looking damp and sultry so took a few photo's to try and convey the mood. It was good walk that got the muscles moving, got the spirits up and put us in the right frame of mind for a few beers and a curry.

Not much fun

It was badged as a Sport relief 6 miles fun run but half way round it didn't feel a bit like fun!

Dom and I had agreed to fast walk it which would have been great prep for a couple of Snowdon trips i have planned. However, as we stood there at the start and they said "walkers over here and runners over there" it suddenly dawned on me - Sh1t, I am going to have to run.

Well you can't loose face can you! A mixture of fast walk and run and Dom pushing me on and it felt a great achievement to haul myself over the line and finish whatever the time. My bit for sport relief done!

Hopefully that can kick off more training now as it is always a bit more enjoyable on the mountains the fitter you are.