Meet Report: 14-16 June 2019.

Eight members assembled on Friday evening at the Climbers’ Club hut Ynys Ettws, ideally and idyllically situated for climbing on the many and varied crags in the Llanberis Pass. Sadly light rain had already made its presence felt and the forecast was for rain all night.

Saturday morning revealed the dismal view of Carreg Wastad opposite the hut, liberally streaked black with water. Although the clouds were breaking up it would clearly take more than a day before the rock would be at all dry.

The Dovers and John walked from the hut up the North ridge of Crib Goch, descending the East ridge to Pen y Pass and enjoying the classic scrambling of that route.

Alan drove to Cwm Pennant and ascended Moel Hebog in improving weather, with the cloud clearing soon after he reached the summit.

He continued North in sunshine over Moel yr Ogof and Moel Lefn then down to Bwlch y Ddwy Elor before returning through the atmospheric ruins of the old quarry workings at the head of Cwm Pennant. Pennant is a beautiful and remote feeling valley steeped in history. The name Bwlch y Ddwy Elor means literally “The Pass of the Two Biers”  supposedly there being no burial ground at Rhyd Ddu, bodies were taken up to the pass where they would be met by a party from Pennant. Rather hard to believe as there seems no reason not to have a graveyard at Rhyd Ddu. Still, it’s a good story and no-one can disprove it.

The four climbers repaired to Pete’s Eats in Llanberis to get an up to date forecast and a coffee. Given the state of the crags a traditional mountain day was decided upon and they drove round to Idwal for an ascent of the Slabs and more above. They were not alone.

Andy and Peter followed a threesome up Hope, having to avoid the impossibly greasy twin cracks by another line further left.

They could have overtaken but preferred to socialise with two American ladies, so only had time for the steeper Lazarus on Holly Tree Wall before returning to collect the car. Richard and Tim climbed Faith, easily passing their traffic and continuing up Lazarus and the excellent Arete on the Continuation Wall above. The Arete, although given V Diff is technically similar to the Severe Lazarus and is noticeably unprotected. Taking advantage of the sunshine they continued up Seniors’ Ridge to the summit of Glyder Fawr and so back to the hut.

Sunday dawned dry and breezy but with showers forecast. Peter and Richard had to leave; with the crags still wet after overnight rain Andy and Tim walked from Pen y Gwryd up the Miners’ Track to Glyder Fawr, passing the Dovers and John on the way, then over Glyder Fawr to Llyn y Cwn and back to the hut. A rather ferocious line of squalls enlivened the traverse of the tops and they were lucky to get back just before the next lot. Paul, Barry and John were not so lucky; they followed the same route but descending to Pen y Pass. They arrived back at the hut looking like they had absorbed remarkable amounts of water.

Alan went to Croesor with the intention of making the round of Cnicht and the Moelwyns. However the wind was so strong as he approached the summit of Cnicht that, being alone, he decided discretion was the better part of valour so he retreated. He spent the rest of the day exploring the valley.

This was a slightly disappointing meet as far as the weather and crag conditions went but we made the best of it and all enjoyed the weekend.

Members attending: Andy Syme, Peter Elliott, Paul Dover, Barry Dover, John Brown, Richard Smith, Tim Josephy, Alan Kay.