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Snowdon Training - 5th September 2009
Gordon and Rohan arrived on the evening of the 4th, and we were all ready to go at 0530am on Saturday morning..All we needed was Joe and Brownie!!!
Hmm.. well at this time, Brownie was still in bed having turned his alarm clock off to get some extra beauty sleep.. while a party was rageing next door..
We got on our way and Joe text to agree a rendezvous in Shrewsbury services..Very picturesque (Not!). As it happened with Brownie making up for his alarm call with some super driving they arrived only 15 minutes after we got there. Breakfast was interesting with Gordon being asked if he wanted his tuna melt - hot!!! They obviously don't get out much in Shrewsbury.
Our last lost soul was Kathleen, who needs a payrise for all the work she does and was caught up on an urgent project, so couldn't come..which was a real shame.. but we are all looking forward to seeing her in the next few weeks and doing a little kit preparation..
We got on our way with a change in drivers, but had to slow right down due to the sheer number of speed cameras and speed camera vans, as soon as we hit Wales.. There was a stop for equipment at Capel Curig, with the main purchase being a snazzy pair of Mountain trousers for Rohan.. And ski gloves for Rich..
Just after Capel Curig we pulled into a camp site which turned out to be no more than a 'bog' with a sign saying, be careful of river bursting its banks!! Hmm, lets not stay here.. It was then out past Capel Curig outdoor centre which Gordon recomendede as the best in the country and head towards Snowdon and a village and camp site just below her called Nant Peris. It was a beautiful site surrounded by high mountains with sheep all across them. How they managed to perch on the side of the cliff in impossible to get to places is quite beyond me..
The camp site was £5.00 per person. It had three toilets, 2 basins, no hot water and no loo paper.. It was just perfect. Brownie and Joe bottomed out a bit in the car coming into the field but got it across. And oh yes, there was a local pub called The Vaydol Arms. Soon to be made famous.. but more about that later.
Gordon suggested that due to the duff forcast for Sunday, we should get straight on with it and go for Snowdon right away.Kitted up we set off, leaving one car on one side of the mountain and driving the full crew to the far side to a place called Llanberis.
Within ten minutes of starting of, we had to stop as everyone was heating up very quickly.Adding and removing clothing is a key learning curve, which you have to stop for as it's important to manage yourself and if things are not working, then stop and change them. The order of the group tended to be.. Rohan at the front, Gordon mixing between us all. Then Joe and Brownie with yours truly bringing up the rear.. It was a great trek up, and we got high quite quickly.. (Snowdon is 1,085 meters high).We had fantastic views as the weather held for us, and we only went into cloud in the last hours of the climb, which was the steepest bit with a snake of people disappearing above us on their way up. Well you wouldn't want to fall backwards on this bit and lose your footing and quite a lot more.. Cloud is covering everything and we have a group of Fell runners of all sexes pass us and disappear up into the fog.
The summit comes into focus and you have the noise of the train bringing more first accentors up to the coffee and viewing room at the top..Photo opportunity, toilet opportunity and a decision to be made on which way to go down.
We decide on the Pig Track, as the weather is not good enough to be more adventurous..and we get a little rain on the way down.Rohans runs down, the boys walk and I stole..2/3rds of the way down we decide on the direct route to the car.. Although there was no track !! So it was good old fashioned scrambling..Rohan who is out route finding, finds a sharpish rock and manages to rip the seat right out of his trousers..they say you need a sense of humour to climb, and we certainly found ours..He even refused to show us the damage for a photo!
Cars get picked up and back to the camp site to change for supper.(Hilary loves supper.. No not Edmund.. Hilary Smith... family joke!!). well at least change our shoes.. and then off to The Vaydol Arms.Two pints, great home cooked food and then back to the tents..
6th September 2009
The tents worked well and again we were lucky with the weather - no rain - just a bit gusty.And we were all set for a little walk in the mroning..Gordon got the brew on andeveryone packed up and put the kit in the cars.. so we could go to another part of Snowdonia..Brownie puts his kit in the Mini and shuts the boot.As he does this the lights flash..Oh s***.. Brownie and Joe are outside the car.. and his keys are inside the Mini.You can imagine the rest..Great photo opportunity..
Gordon phones the AA who are with us within 20 minutes, but don't want to touch the car.Apparently last time with a Mini he had to break a window.(now that would be a great photo).. The AA man has the yellow pages out and calls a local lock smith who can come out but it will be two hours.. and Rohan is already fully kitted up and ready to yomp..Decision is made to have breakfast and then get car opened and then trek up the backside of Nant Peris..(If you'll excuse the expression)
Brownie phones the lock smith and he asks for directions.Brownie explains that we are in Nant Peris, just down the road from the local pub called The Vaginal Arms.Hmmm, that's not quite right Brownie, and it seem to surprise the lock smith as well!!I think he though Brownie was a Doctor.Well we were rolling around splitting our sides..
Breakfast was superb with most going for a full breakfast.. and Rohan going for Humus and Ministrone soup, which may have been a first in mid Wales..
Then it was to the nearest camp shop for Rohan to purchase some new trousers, and then we get back to the camp site and the locksmith arrives right on time. It takes some time and it certainly looked like he was going to break the lock rather than open the car.30 minutes later and we are all thinking of the window breaking operation.
Then out comes a new tool and £100 later the car is open.. and we all won't be doing that again.The lesson is always have a spare and always give it to someone else..It did however give us time to do some map reading practise with Gordon in the field and develop a little plan of activity for the afternoon..
We get kitted up for a little strole.And go up the other side of Nant Peris towards Glyder Falor on our right and up to 800 meters.. Cracking views, a very steep walk which took about three hours, however the weather held, we did not see another single soul and was a great change to the trauma of the morning car locking exercise.
We were back at the cars by 1530 hrs - loads of hand shakes all around for a brilliant weekend and a huge learning curve thanks to Gordon.. and arrival back in Berkhamsted at 2030 hrs just in time for Rohans train and Gordon and I to go to the Plough for a drink with David and Hilary (Smith...yes of Supper fame!).
It was a great trip.. had plenty of magic moments, loads of laughter, hard physical graft and a great test of out kit and the team excelled.
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