snowdon in the snow 2011

Previous years photos

Only a handful of people at Marsden on a drizzly grey morning and most of them new faces to this event which was great. No snow on the roads this year saw an easy journey, stopping at the usual spot on the A55 for breakfast where we also met Hawksey. I was pleased to see several groups of people already waiting for us at Electric Mountain carpark but not so happy about the rain. Still, it was forecast to brighten up and the forecast wouldn’t let us down, would it?

39 people in all (one – the mysterious cagoule man) turned up. After a quick talk indicating some of the danger areas and pointing out  the guides, helpers and first aid kit carriers we were off, a huge line of us snaking through Llanberis.

We paused briefly at Pennceunant Isaf to warn Stephan that there were actually twice as many people than I had told there would be when I rang him the previous day and that we would be calling in for tea and bara brith on our way down.

I must admit at this point to being a little more worried than usual about looking after such a large group. This year, in order to prevent the group spreading across the mountain too much, I decided to lead from the front. With the ever dependable Richard Statham at the back and the expertise and experience of Jeff, Mac, Stephen Fraser, Jude, Judy, Woody and others in the middle knew it was covered.

One of those waterproofs on, waterproofs off days left us quite well spread by the time we reached the half way point but conditions were fair and everyone was having a good time.

half way

People were happy to drift off up to Clogwyn Station at their leisure where I arrived later to find them all waiting. 

Conditions ahead were foggy but fine and with no snow on the ground the path was unmissable. I didn’t get to do the usual stop at Cloggy and lead straight through and up to the summit. Before nipping back down and brining up the rear with Richard and Mac.

Though there was no snow on the ground this year, almost as if to qualify the name of the trip it did snow during the time were on the summit. Then, on the descent the fog lifted and we were treated to 20 minutes of  scenery before it fell again. All too soon I was back at the bottom and after making sure the rest of the group were safely down retreated to Pete’s Eats for a hearty fill.

It was a great year for many people who had decided to conquer their fears and give this sort of thing a try for the first time. I’m proud and honoured to have spent the day with so many wonderful people.

Lots of photos and stories of the day by other people who came can be found by following the links below.

Barnsley Kilimanjaro Charity Trek 2011 account

mrMark’s photos on flickr

Snowdon in the Snow meets Spencer’s vertigo

Up Snowdon and Up my vertigo – Spencer Wilson

Ken Eastwood’s photos

 
 
 
 

half way

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last minute preparations

Rung Stephan at Pennceunant Isaf to warn him that we’ll be taking advantage of his most generous hospitality – and bara brith –  again tomorrow. He told me that the weather is perfect their today.

This year we’ve got groups from Huddersfield, Manchester and the Kili team from Barnsley meeting us there.

The latest weather forecast: Detailed Forecast for Sunday, 13th February, 2011

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snowdon weather

Started to keep my eye on the weather. Bloody awful from now until Friday – wet, windy and claggy. Getting better on Saturday clouds lifting and getting cooler with excellent visibility. Fingers crossed for Sunday.

Snowdon weather forecast

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snowdon in the snow 2011

13th February 2011

Walking up the highest mountain in the UK outside of Scotland in the snow has become increasingly difficult over the last 6 years but somehow we’ve always managed it. It shouldn’t be a problem this year as there is plenty of snow fall which still remains on higher ground.

Starting in Llanberis the route will ascend and descend the mountain using the Llanberis Path. Approximately 5 miles each way with a height gain of about 2800 feet the route should take about 5 hours.

Meet at the United Reform Church, Peel Street, Marsden at 7am or in Llanberis, in the car park of Electric Mountain – Dinorwig Power Station at 10am. After the walk we’ll meet in Pete’s Eats for the traditional hearty feast and tales of derrin doo. The start of the route is very steep and quite uninspiring, Stephan the owner of Penceunant Isaf – a small tea room and bunk house at the top of the steep section normally allows me to park a couple of cars on his car park for those who want to omit this beginning section.

Suggested Kit

* Walking boots
* Warm clothes
* Waterproof trousers
* Waterproof coat
* Hat
* Gloves
* Sunglasses or ski goggles
* Spare dry shoes/clothes to change into afterwards
* Walking poles if you need ‘em
* Rucksac
* Drink (at least 1.5 litres)
* Sandwiches
* Soup
* Chocolate
* Camera
* Flask

Let me know if I’ve missed anything or if there’s a particular bit of personal kit that you find useful that I don’t know about.

Route

The route is fairly straight forward and should be achievable by anyone with reasonable fitness. There are no climbing or ‘hands on’ sections but care needs to be taken in two places. The path takes a sharp turn south after passing under the bridge after Clogwyn Station.Care should be taken not to navigate over the cliff in bad visibility.

The path traverses the mountain about 200 metres above the cliffs of Clogwyn Coch. Because of the camber on the path at this section, when icy it is possible, when icy, to slip down the slope and over the cliffs. These risks are small but must be considered. We stick together as a group and make sure the mix experienced navigators, people familiar with the route and first aiders is balanced with people with no or little experience.

photos from 2010

https://steventuck.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/snowdon-in-the-snow-the-photos/

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pule on a snowy winter night

It was probably about -8 when Diver-Driver, Dr Ali and I set off up Pule Hill at 8pm on a frosty Monday night. The air was crystal clear and there was still lots of snow on the ground from the week before.  I don’t think we’d got off the track that leads up to Intake Head Farm before Diver-Driver’s appreciation of mine and Dr Ali’s comedic and intensely funny Scottish accents wore off. By the time we arrived at the air shaft Diver Driver was walking off into the darkness  by himself and threatening an early bath. Gritting his teeth he stuck with it and was still there to provide a flask of fortifying brandy on the summit of Pule. This along with Dr Ali’s hip flask of whiskey warmed the cockles and raised the spirits as expected.

Under shooting stars we set off down towards Worlow Quarry then followed ‘the bumps’ down to Hades Farm where we paused again to take on more fortification and admire the stars. We were back down to the village and in the pub by 10 where we were greeted by several chaps drinking whilst huddled round the only source of heat in the place – a small fan heater perched on the bar. Happy days. 🙂

Awaiting photos from Dr Ali.

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snowdon – weather forecast

The weather forcast for tomorrow from http://mwis.org.uk And it couldn’t really be much better.

Snowdon Mountain Weather forecast for 21st Feb 2010

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Snowdon – Pennceunant Isaf

Penceunant Isaf

I spoke to Steffan at Pennceunant Isaf this morning who has extended his usual, fine  hospitality (hot drinks, warming up our food, bara brith etc)  to us for tomorrow’s walk. Pennceunant Isaf is a beautiful tea rooms and art gallery at the foot of the mountain path (Llanberis Path) on Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).

Every year Steffan allows us to park a few cars up there. This means that the people who would prefer not to do the walk up the steep road which leads up to Pennceunant Isaf can start the walk from there instead – though I am trying to discourage it this year as the group is so big. Steffan also provided me with a report on the conditions and the weather. SNOW! lots of it. Eveywhere. It’s even snowing now and he has warned me that we may not be able to get cars up the road anyway.

On the picture below you can clearly see the route we will be taking. Where the path disapears at the top of the mountain is not the destination. At that point (Clogwyn Station) we turn sharp right and traverse the west face of Garnedd Ugain (centre of the picture). The sharp turn at Clogwyn Station is a danger spot in bad visibility as failing to turn here will take you over the cliffs of Cwm Hetiau – Valley of the Hats (So called because the wind at this point would blow the hats off the heads of the Victorian ladies and gentlemen riding the train, into the valley below where they wold be found and used by the locals) . If visibility is bad I would  urge anybody who is not familiar with the route not to proceede past this point without help. From there it’s just a quick hop, skip and a jump to the summit 🙂 See you there!

Penceunant Isaf and the Llanberis Path

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snowdon web cams

Keep your eyes on the weather on Snowdon with these handy web cams courtesy of  First Hydro Company Dinorwig.

When online, these web cam pictures are updated every minute. Click on each image to view a larger copy (opens in a new window).

Moel Eilio from Elidir Fach

Snowdon Summit from Elidir Fach

Electric Mountain weather Station, tea garden, Llyn Padarn and Vivian quarry

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snowdon in the snow – weather forecast

As much as you can trust long range weather forecasts it’s looking bright and sunny with the risk of the occaisional snow shower – about as perfect as it gets.

• Sunrise:  7:26
• Sunset:  17:33
• Moon:  First Quarter

Electric Mountain weather Station at the foot of Snowdon

Moel Eilio from Elidir Fach

The Glyders from Ogwyn Valley

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snowdon in the snow – transport II

Snowdon-2008-079, originally uploaded by steventuck.

Plenty of people with cars and room in them. We’re meeting at the United Reform Church in Marsden at 6.45am so we can sort out car sharing and other arrangements. See you there.

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