Day 1. Friday.
Martin, Tony and Richard drove 20 miles south of the Beddgelert campsite to
start a 26 mile off-track cycle ride. Though the misty conditions blocked the magnificent views of Cadair Idris the 3 riders
thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Sue, Rosemary & Lorraine walked into Beddgelert to further stock up on
provisions.
In the evening, Tony provided transport for all members (except Charlie, Dan
& Adam who arrived later) down to a restaurant in Beddgelert, where an enjoyable time was had by all.
Day 2. Saturday.
The group gathered, ready to go at 9.30 a.m. where 11 of us and Millie the
dog clambered into the newly acquired Mallock van, 4 in the front and 7 sitting on very wobbly canvas chairs in the back.
After an initial stifling and completely dark start, Peter decided to hold the side door ajar, so we only had motion
sickness to contend with for the 15 mile journey. A sense of humour prevailed which was just as well as Dick?s clutch control
whilst wearing his walking boots was pretty extreme!
At 10 a.m. Peter, Hazel, Lorraine, Charlie, Rosemary and Millie were dropped
off at Pen-y-pass, the start of the Pyg track which climbs 2500feet all the way to the top of Snowden.
The rest of the group plus Dave & Sue who were following in style in their
car, went on to Llanberis, left the car there and then all drove back for approx. 3 miles to park in a field at the start
of the walk up to Crib Goch.
The Pyg trackers arrived at the top at approx. 1.30 p.m after a hard slog
and being accused by some Welsh guy of 'being the type' that normally go up by train! What a cheek! Peter took lots of digi-photo's
and Millie behaved impeccably.
They were joined at around 3.30 by the Crib Goch'ers just as the clouds cleared
and the amazing panoramic views were exposed. Approaching Crib Goch from the north-east, via the Llyn Glas lake and the awful
energy-sapping scree, it took around 2 1/2 hours to reach the start of knife-edge ridge. Sue M. led the way and Richard
tailed the group. A steady pace was set along the awe-inspiring Crib, the incredible drop-offs each side were enough to raise
concentration levels to completely forget the aching limbs. The ridge walking went on for a couple of hours and included a
couple of sections of actual climbing.
Charlie had kindly offered to carry the champagne which was duly opened, we
toasted the 'club'and absent friends Martin & Cathy and wished Ray and his Le Mans challenge the best-of-luck. More photo's
were taken and 'never-say-die' Peter announced that he and Hazel, rather than go down by train would be walking back, directly
back to the campsite. Not to appear wimpish, Richard, Sue, Dan and Adam agreed to join them, whilst Dave, Sue, Tony
& Rosemary decided to walk down along the railway. Lorraine with an increasingly swelling ankle, Martin & Charlie
took the train which was held up for a good half hour half way down and wasn't much quicker in the end.
Amazingly we all ended up back at the campsite within a few minutes of each
other at around 7 p.m. Desperate for a shower and a cup of tea we then regrouped to enjoy a well-stocked bar-b-que and
volumes of wine ( and Hazel's whisky!). Charlie, Dan & Adam left for home at 10 p.m. and the rest of us ended up in the
Mallock motorhome debating who had the hardest and steepest route. Peter was flashing his lap-top, showing the photos taken
earlier, Dick was flashing his lap-top showing his O.S. maps and 3-D fly-through of both routes.
A great week-end was had by all!
Sue Mallock 20.06.05
