Snowdon Jan 2000 Trip Report

Sunday 30th January 2000

Today was pretty much like the previous Snowdon trip - showers and strong winds. Despite morning showers, it stayed largely dry. The winds on the top weren't generally too strong - not strong enough to throw people seriously off balance. The winds were quite noisy at the Llanberis pass, giving the impression that all hell was running wild on the tops. This was a false impression given that can probably be atrributed to the funnelling of the wind down the Llanberis valley.

We were based in Llanberis rather than Pen-y-pass this time and so had a greater choice of eating and drinking establishments to visit at the end of the day.

Five hikes went out today - all were successfully completed. For some hikes the strong winds were a help, hike 2 whizzed up to the summit of Y Garn in 1hr 30 mins. Other hikes started at Pen-y-pass and had to battle against the wind all day.

There were a few new faces today as well with most of them doing hike four in the capable hands of shepherd Lee Pattison and his sheepdog Henley! - though he did grumble at having to shepherd a flock of 21 hikers in his group! The other hikes had generally manageable group sizes.

The scramble up the Gribin ridge on Snowdon was said to be 'a bit greasy!' whilst hike 7 got lost in a forest!

The day finished off with huge meals and pints of tea at 'Petes Eats' cafe.