Having spent every other day for the last four weeks in the gym I assumed that I would be ready for a hike up the highest mountain in England & Wales. Imagine then my dismay as I was passed by people cycling up the steep slopes and others at least 30 years older than me taking it in turns as my pace setters. All that cycling and cross training – what would I have been like without it? The only tangible benefit was that I was not as muscle stiff the next day as my fellow journeymen.
We (Jonathan Gordon-Farleigh, Alastair Gordon-Farleigh, my son Sam and myself) travelled up from Weymouth on the Friday, settled in our B&B in Betws-y-coed (see miner’s cottages and river below)
and went out for a eat in pizza with bring your own alcohol. Three bottles of wine later we meanered back for our preparatory night’s sleep. At 9am we then bussed to Llanberis
and started our assent. Literally two minutes later having overcome what must have been at least a seventy five percent gradient we stopped for a rest, stripped off our coats and tenuously re started. No matter how gruelling I might portray this experience was for a relatively unfit 46 year old the views were just the cure required. Mother nature has certainly done us proud.
The two younger members of the group disappeared ahead and Alastair and myself used every excuse to pause and take in the most perfect views. After about two and a half hours we reached a hut selling drinks which turned out to be ‘halfway’. Half …… way!
Refreshed, off we went again.
Running alongside, up until this point, was a train that for £25 an adult and £18 a child could take us to the top in about an hour. Now call me parismonious (although you could have called me anything at this point and the only squeal would have been my heart valves telling me to calm down) but even if my stamina had given in my wallet would have fought back with genocidal tendencies.
Actually, as we got nearer the summit we had a second wind (well alright a light breeze) but it was just enough to see us there (see celebratory smiles in heading photo). We were then unified with our respective sons Jonny and Sam; enjoyed a hot chocolate and then set out on the descent. Unfortunately Sam and I got detached and instead of following the path back down we followed the railway line and as a consequence found ourselves having to negotiate a detour of about 30 minutes through rocks, slate and many a sheep and pony.
Back on course, another hot chocolate and a much quicker and less life threatening hike.
I would absolutely, without equivocation, advocate that everyone who is contemplating this climb to do it. As I said above, the scenery is beautiful and the exercise is truly rewarding. Allow yourself a day and set off early, especially during winter time. The picturesque countrside of Snowdonia National Park is beyond words.
The following day after a sound nights sleep we set off for Dorset and home. However, one last treat was a visit to the Conwy Falls.
A wonderful weekend. Enjoy! If you should decide to follow in our footsteps below is a map.
A video of our route but not of us.
Jason Cridland
