22 - 24 Sep 23
The Wales weekend started wet and windy. We stayed at the magnificent Glan Dena hut at the foot of Tryfan, owned by the Midland Association of Mountaineers. Lots of parking, a bunk room with no triple bunks and our very own lounge. Plus showers and a huge kitchen. Perfect.
FRIDAY
Slackers and skivers advance party at Plas y Brenin climbing wall. Dave chilling.
The workers: Emma waiting for a lift to Wales from Paul stuck in Friday night traffic ...
SATURDAY
Saturday dawned misty but with promise. The weather forecast was looking better ...
CARWYN & DAVE
Carwyn and Dave headed off to the north ridge of Tryfan to do some scrambling.
Bit damp.
Slippery rock. Dave showing how abseiling is done.
Top of Tryfan - the mist cleared for a beautiful afternoon.
Carwyn doing his Simba impression.
MEANWHILE ...
DEREK & EWART
Fearless duo Derek and Ewart decided that Ogwen slabs would be too busy so headed off on their own adventure to Braich Ty Du and the Pinnacle Ridge Route (V Diff). Ewart assured us that, as a local boy, he knew the mountains like the back of his hand.
"I'm sure it's this way"
"Here maybe?"
Obviously someone had moved the crag. The back up plan was brought into action.
Onwards to Kirkus's Route (VS).
Derek heading back to the hut as, sadly, after all that searching, time had run out.
AND ... IN THE OGWEN VALLEY ... It was an early start for the climbers to get to the routes on Idwal Slabs before everyone else arrived. Paul forged ahead but by 9am there was already a crowd of about 8 climbers gearing up.
SAM & PAUL
Sam climbing a vegetated Faith (V Diff) on Idwal Slabs.
Paul at the top of Faith. Looking for the belay anchor to get back down. Not the easiest of descents to find.
"Someone said to follow the arrows?"
ON AN ADJACENT CLIMB:
The early morning cloud gave way to beautiful afternoon sunshine. Sadly not enjoyed by any of us because the Idwal Slabs are north facing and the sun never reached the rock. Since these routes were my choice, I felt a little guilty.
EMMA & ELISE
Emma belaying at the top of pitch 2 - Hope (V Diff).
Dave and Carwyn reckoned they could see me from the top of Tryfan. Not sure why ...
Very muddy with rivers of water flowing down the upper pitches from rain the previous day.
Great view though.
A photo taken by some members of MAM who spotted us and called over.
Not sure how they saw us at that distance ...
If you zoom in you can just see Elise in the pink jacket by the red arrow.
No idea who the chap in blue is 🙂
Paul sends us a very technical description of how to find the route down.
BACK TO THE HUT FOR TEA
Derek cooked up a very tasty spaghetti bolognaise. He said the ingredients were mince and merlot.
All of us in the Glan Dena kitchen.
AND THEN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!
Dave's big birthday cake. Baked by Emma, mountains made by Elise, with Derek and Ewart modelling the climbers up the sides. A team effort.
Dave is keeping his age a closely guarded secret.
SUNDAY
The rain resumed overnight and was torrential by the morning. No other option that to retire to a cafe for breakfast and head home.
Carwyn, Elise and Paul.
Dave and Derek with a full Welsh breakfast.
THE END
Great report Em – some fond memories.
Great read and great photos!