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North Wales 19.2.05 to 20.2.05

Geoff, Dick, Ian, Roy, James and Rachael were in North Wales for the weekend, based at Glan Dena, the MAM cottage by Llyn Ogwen.

Saturday 19.2.05 - Cnicht (689m) and Moelwyn Mawr (770m).

Bad weather and full car-parks in northern Snowdonia led to a decision to head south for Cnicht. The decision was good, and the weather was fine as we approached the summit pyramid along the ridge from Croesor. There was an icy cold wind on the summit, and we decided to continue along the ridge, and round the head of the valley to Moelwyn Mawr.

Cnicht.	Approaching Cnicht from Croesor village.	Rachael & Dick on Cnicht summit.

Before ascending Moelwyn Mawr, we examined the industrial archaeology of the Rhosydd slate quarry. The walls of most of the buildings were intact, and a few remaining pieces of machinery lay rusting around the place. Rhosydd ceased production in 1930, but was maintained until at least 1948 in the hope of re-opening.  From here, Geoff, Roy and Rachael took the direct route back past the Croesor quarry to Croesor village, while Ian, Dick and James followed the tramway inclines onto Moelwyn Mawr. The ascent was exceptionally cold as the wind cut across the ridge, but the summit was mysteriously calm, and the descent afforded fine views of Cnicht lit by the evening sun. The evening was spent at Tyn y Coed and Glan Dena.

Barracks for single miners, Rhosydd slate quarry.	On the summit of Moelwyn Mawr	Cnicht from the west ridge of Moelwyn Mawr.

Sunday 20.2.05 - Snowdon (yr Wyddfa) (1085m)

Because of the risk of ice on the Miners' Path , we decided to ascend Snowdon from Llanberis. The ascent was uneventful, but the wind on the summit was cold, and we didn't stay long!

Snowdon, from the Capel Curig road..	Approaching Snowdon summit - picture by James.	Descending to Clogwyn.

Lochaber 29.4.05 to 5.5.05

Ian, Dick, Geoff, Roy and Phil were in Scotland, staying at the Snow Goose bunkhouse, Corpach. Geoff and Roy then moved on to Wasdale for Scafell.

Saturday 30.4.05 - Ben Nevis (1344m) and Carn Mor Dearg (1223m).

It was Geoff's plan to revisit the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales during his "major birthday" year, and today was the day for Ben Nevis. We set off up the tourist route with hundreds of others for company, including a party of 31 from Galway. There was very little snow until we reached the summit plateau, where we celebrated Geoff's birthday with cake and candles, and a packet of "Auld Wrinklies", an unusual Scottish delicacy discovered on the sleeper on the way up.

Geoff arriving at Ben Nevis summit.	Geoff with birthday cake & Auld Wrinklies.	The summit party.

Our route down was by the southeast ridge, the CMD arête, and over Carn Mor Dearg. There was a lot of helicopter activity while we were on the ridge, and as we descended we were treated to a close-up demonstration of hovering and winching.

The Carn Mor Dearg arête.	CMD arête and the Mamores.	A winch lift between CMD and Ben Nevis.

The evening was rounded off perfectly with fish supper, mushy peas and a cup of tea in Nico's chip shop in Fort William.

Sunday 1.5.05 - Coire Ardair.

The plan was to visit Craig Meagaidh, by Loch Laggan.  As we ascended, the weather got wetter, and at Coire Adair we decided it would neither be prudent nor pleasant to continue up into the cloud. However Coire Adair was well worth a visit, and it's on the list for a return trip in better conditions.

Coire Adair in very wet conditions.	Phil with his birthday cake and special decoration.

In view of our early descent, we cooked our own dinner, then celebrated Phil's birthday with the other half of the Penny cake and a special cake decoration provided by Sue.

Monday 2.5.05 - Sgurr Thuilm (963m).

The day started fine, but deteriorated as we ascended into cloud and rain. This made route-finding difficult on the many false summits of Sgurr Thuilm. As we sat on the real summit, the clouds parted, and we were treated to the views over Loch Arkaig, Knoydart, and back down to Glenfinnan. Ian and Dick had to get back in time for the evening sleeper home, so it was too risky to continue along the ridge to Sgurr nan Coireachan, and we returned by the direct route to Glenfinnan.

Glenfinnan Viaduct.	On the summit of Sgurr Thuilm.	The ridge across to Sgurr nan Coireachan.

After a pint in the Glenfinnan Hotel and a farewell view of Ben Nevis from the bunkhouse, Ian and Dick enjoyed a plate of Haggis and Neeps, a whisky, a couple of pints, and the views of the hills, the lochs, and Rannoch Moor as the train carried them south.

Ben Nevis, from Corpach.	The London sleeper waits to leave Fort William.

Updated 20-05-06