Meet Report: 11-13 June 2021.

By sunset ten members, a guest and six PMs had pitched tents at the beautifully situated but busy campsite on the shore of Llyn Gwynant. It was somewhat dreary but we were all encouraged by the very promising forecast for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday dawned rather overcast and all were up early and ready for action thanks to the resident local warbler and cuckoo. By the time Tim arrived the cloud  had  lifted and he with Michael, Chris and Tom, who had long planned on climbing, with Lliwedd’s Slanting Buttress in their sights, were whisked away by Nick who generously ran the team up to Pen-y-Pass for an easier walk in along the Miner’s Track before 9am. The quartz zig-zags marking the route’s start were soon reached and tackle donned. Tim’s local knowledge put him at the sharp end belayed by Chris. Tom followed, on a parallel line where practical, belayed by Michael. The first five pitches went steadily enough though being in the north face’s shade, belaying was chilly. The sixth pitch is supposedly the crux groove but was climbed readily enough by those in rock shoes. Chris decided to make it a bit more challenging by wearing Vibram soled boots. The airy arete which followed gave a photo opportunity and sightings of choughs and a ring ouzel. Up a steep wall gave more exposure on good holds. The next pitch slowed the party down; up a groove to a chockstone and a step right up another groove where holds on the right rib came into play – sounded simple enough and only a Diff anyway. Tim thrutched and lurched smearing his way up – those holds had not come out to play today.  Booted Chris kicked the groove into submission. The second rope employed climbing shoes and a sneaky knee-jam in a pocket to reach a hold at full stretch for a speedier passage. The tenth and last pitch gave easier climbing to the Snowdon Horseshoe path, a warm up in the sunshine, and a late lunch. After traversing Lliwedd the four descended via the old copper mine in Cwm Merch to Nantgwynant and by Llyn Gwynant to the campsite for 7pm. A great mountain day.

Also arriving on Saturday morning was Anne Lofthouse accompanied by her son Max. They  joined  David Spencer  for a walk from the campsite led by Pete and Anne Latham which was  well away from the madding crowds of Snowdon. Heading across to the opposite side of the valley they met their first challenge, as they found themselves confined to the campsite dog exercising/ toilet compound and were unable to find an exit. A U-turn was called for to exit via the main entrance.

It was a  pleasant ascent  through ancient woodland and out onto the open, boggy fell. After a couple of hours they had an early lunch in a lovely spot by the side of Llyn Edno, with only 2 other walkers noticed. Things then got interesting when no-one could locate the descent path which was clearly marked on the map. Changing route several times they eventually scrambled down the fell, over at least 3 walls, a sheep fold and two fences to the valley bottom. A more pleasant stroll back to base through the forest of Nantgwynant for a well earned ice cream concluded their exercise for the day and Max, who had said he wanted a mountain adventure, seemed delighted with his day out.

Adam, Conrad, Helen and Richard set off to conquer Snowdon, again walking from the campsite. They followed a pretty woodland path by the lake before  turning right to join the Watkin Path. It all got a bit congested when they reached the steepening scree slope near the top and a bit of dodging around was required in order to maintain a reasonable pace. Just as they reached the ridge they went into cloud.They‘d thought this route was busy until they hit the summit, which was absolutely packed. It was quite spooky with so many people emerging from the cloud and the queue to stand by the  cairn was huge, probably about 100m. The human traffic did not lessen as they descended the Miner’s Track, stopping for lunch  and a paddle at the lake. Refreshments  at Pen-Y-Pass were most welcome and then it was down the valley along a quiet grassy path which made a change from the earlier hordes, past the Cwm Dyli hydro power  station and back to the campsite. Both Richard, who had followed the same route at a slightly slower pace but made a more direct descent via the pipeline, and Harvey, who ascended and descended  via Pen-Y-Pass, arrived at the summit a bit later and were fortunate to have  clear views. It was a grand day out and an  interesting experience but your scribe is not keen to rush back to Snowdon and certainly not at the weekend!

Christine and David Hick walked from Rhyd-Ddu to Beddgelert via Llyn y Gader and Beddgelert Forest and returned the same way.

Laura and Nat had a gentle day’s walking around Beddgelert. Laura was recovering from a broken ankle and was keen not to overdo things. Mike Gregg and Nick walked from the campsite and did a round including Moel Siabod  then came back down to Pen-y-Gwryd, picking up the track and footpath back to the campsite.

Most members decided to take advantage of the onsite take away pizzas for their evening meal and it was most convivial as people sat round discussing  the day’s activities and more. The only fly in the ointment  literally, was the pesky midges and it became increasingly difficult to recognise people as they donned hats, midge nets and  blankets to protect themselves against the onslaught – all eventually to no avail.

On Sunday most packed up ready for departure but the good weather encouraged the Spencers, Smiths and Laura and Nat to stay another night. The Smiths, walking from the campsite, did a round of Moel Meirch – interesting  with a little scramble at the top  and Yr Arddu – uninspiring and all quite hard going. The others spent the day around the campsite – including a  paddle in the lake.

 Richard, Chris and Conrad headed to  Cnicht to tackle its  North West flank. The trip got off to an inauspicious start as they made their way up the very narrow single track road towards the parking. Two young ladies driving a big Mazda crested the hill of the narrow road to be confronted by Chris in his car with Conrad and  Richard following behind. Despite Chris’ best persuasive efforts the young ladies were almost apoplectic at the thought of reversing back up the hill and after somewhat of an impasse the two YRC cars  reversed down – it was somewhat frustrating as later they realised  the Mazda  only needed to reverse about 20m.

 Fast forward, in baking hot heat, having called into Gelli-Iago climbing hut to check out its hiring potential, they started the ascent and followed a contouring path  with  superb views of Harlech Bay.  Rather than taking the traditional path they decided to go direct and traverse up the hill. After some easy scrambling they  reached a suitable lunch stop. Richard then took the lead on the penultimate scree slope and finally onto the summit climb. At the top they  were rewarded with a fantastic view of Snowdonia and its’ vast array of peaks. Chris took a shorter route via Llyn y Biswail back to his car whereas Richard and Conrad  continued the almost circular descent back via Llyn Yr Adar and Llyn Llagi. It allowed them  to take in some beautiful little lakes and a whole range of fauna and flora plus lots of boggy peat! All in all a lovely walk which provided plenty of interest to keep the curious happy.

Nick meanwhile meandered along the west side of the valley for a couple of miles and then meandered back before  setting off home. Anne and  Pete drove to Rhyd Ddu for a couple of very pleasant hours mountain biking in Beddgelert Forest .

They then hit the ‘Snowdon Base Camp’ for a superb roast lamb dinner before heading back to Yorkshire.  David H and Christine returned home via Crosby beach near Liverpool to see Antony Gormley’s very impressive ‘Another Place’. On Monday, on their way home Michael and Helen parked in Llanfairfechan and did a short walk along the North Wales Coastal Path to the impressive Druid Stones, with splendid views along the way.

Many thanks to Tim for his organisation of this most sociable meet. There was plenty done –  encouraged by the  wonderful Welsh weather!

Helen Smith

Attending:  Adam Linford, Anne Latham, Anne Lofthouse (PM, day visit), Chris Hilton, Christine Marriott (G), Conrad Tetley (PM), David Hick, David Spencer (PM),  Harvey Lomas, Helen Smith, Laura Baynes (PM), Max Harvey (G, day visit), Michael Smith, Mike Gregg (PM), Nat Dickerson-Stead (PM), Nick Welch, Pete Latham, Richard Taylor, Tim Josephy (day visit), Tom Spencer (PM).