Steven Loraine - 132580

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Details

Date : 27/05/2024

Duration : 5-8 hours

Style : Leader / Supervisor

Type : Mountain Walking

Weather : Light Rain - Poor Visibility

Wind : Gentle Breeze

Camping Type : N/A

Nights Camping : 0

Mountains : Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

Flagged :

Description

A bank holiday trip up Yr Wyddfa with a client and friend who had never set foot on a hill or mountain in their life, despite living just a few miles from Snowdonia, on Anglesey. We'd discussed what sort of day He would like, e.g. challenging, easy, the routes available to us and what clothing and footwear to use. The key issue was keeping him comfortable in what proved challenging weather condition in ascent and providing a day of good memories not a 'slog'. So it was, we decided on the 'tourist' route up from Llanberis and an alternative route down to Pen-y-Pass and a bus down.
Meaty showers hit as we left the car park, and thankfully they eased and disappeared as went up the steep road to the start of the route. Even the steepness of this road came as a bit of shock to Dave. Nevertheless, the early kms. of the Tourist route are easy enough and we enjoyed some pleasant views as the clouds cleared on the way to Halfway House.
From here the steepness is visible ahead, past the Clogwyn Station in particular. The cloud also returned with some light showers reducing visibility to just a few metres, making for a much challenging section to Bwlch Glas. Dave suffered some muscle or tendon cramping on this section, and we just ascended a few metres at a time to keep making some progress. Give him his due, he had no intention of stopping and as we went under the railway and on to the steepest piece, he plodded upwards with some words of encouragement.
Conditions remained poor to the summit but as the steepness relented beyond the track to Garnedd Ugain, and people join from the Pyg Track, the summit beckons and soon enough, he was having his photo taken at the cairn.
After a break in the dry of the summit cafe and chat about intentions, we agreed to descend via the Pyg Track, particularly because the forecasted decent weather was arriving and very good views attend that descent. We left the majority of the crowds on the Tourist route and rapidly descended the first few hairpins of the Pyg. The ground below was all visible as were the summit ridge and the ridge to Y Lliwedd. Dave really enjoyed this section.
At the finger-point sign bifurcation of the track between Pyg and Miners', Dave chose the former and we contoured across the slopes of Crib Goch, enjoying rising temperatures and a much quieter route, with just a handful of people on this route compared to the Miners.
We made the short ascent to the pass at Bwlch y Moch having a short break to take in the views on either side of the pass and reflect on Dave's journey so far. He was in good shape and really enjoying his experience. Soon enough we were underway again, down the multiple rock steps of this route, with the buildings at Pen y Pass coming into sharper relief. This final section has a fine feel about it, with buttresses above and below and great scenery across the pass to the Glyders.
Finally, down to the cafe and hostel and busy car park. A short break for a well earned refreshment. We waited for a few minutes and the bus arrived, carrying us back to Llanberis and the car park.
Dave managed the whole day really well, facing up to weather and steep terrain with fortitude and good humour. His was a fine achievement. Whether or not that motivates him to get up more hills or 'one is enough', time will tell, but he'll always have his first ascent of Yr Wyddfa!

Area : Snowdon Massif

Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales, at an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside Scotland. It is located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd, and has been described as "the busiest mountain in Britain". It is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.

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