Welsh 3000s

An interesting weekend in Snowdonia. Huw and Dan headed down to mine on Friday night, where, after a review of the route and a quick meal, we got some sleep. We woke early, at half 4, and after dumping my car at the finish car park, headed to Pen Y Pass for the start. We reached Snowdon's summit, and the clock started ticking there. The first couple of peaks were attained without too much fuss - Crib Goch was looking fantastic in the sunlight and shadows. The descent of Crib Goch was steep, but we made it. After grabbing a quick coke in Nant Peris at the base of mountain number four, we started up.

Dan, who has less experience of mountains than me or Huw, began to find this really hard work (it was a fairly steep slog). We made the top before nightfall, with the cloud rolling in, then headed off to mountain number 5. I handled the navigation, which was damn tricky as visibility was about 10 metres. Progress was very slow, but we nonetheless made it to peaks five and six in due course. By then though, the slow pace had taken its toll, and the total lack of visibility was making it dangerous. We decided (correctly in my opinion), that discretion was the better part of valour on this occasion, and decided to get some shut-eye on the mountain side before heading down the mountain and back to the car on Sunday morning. The night was cold without sleeping bags, but we all had proper cold weather clothing and survival bags, so got some disjointed sleep (albeit on an uncomfortable sleeping surface - a rock). At the time of abandoment of the challenge, we were still looking at a sub 20 time, so I was disappointed, but I'll be back.

To cap it all, my hot water wasn't working when I got back, so I had to make do with a cold shower - not the most pleased I've ever been. On the plus side, because the hike was cut short (about 17 miles in total), my legs aren't very weary, and I'm ready for a good week of training.

Dave out

28/09/09