Winter Adventure Weekend

Our relationship with the Outdoor Department of the University of Central Lancashire was thus utilised to provide us with eight pairs of winter boots, crampons, ice axes and goggles.

On arrival at Capel Curig we found ourselves to be the only unit on camp which is always joyous as we can then negotiate meal times to our advantage; it also means the team have the challenge of eating everything that is presented to them on the hot plate! The Friday evening was spent fitting boots and also adjusting crampons (spikey feet) in the warmth of the classroom rather than the chill of the hill. Goggles and helmets were also adjusted so that we were ready to go first thing Saturday morning.

Saturday was amazing – a still, bright, cold day with clear air that gave views for miles once we were on the tops. After attempting to clear the hot plate at camp we set off for the Ogwen Valley with the initial thoughts of heading into Llyn Ogwen and the Nameless Cwm. However, as we drove in it became apparent that there was far more snow on the Carneddau and it was also in the sunshine – easy decision really.

We made quick time from the A5 up the green but frozen lower slope to Ffynnon Lloer. Here the Llyn was glassy smooth with patches of ice across it with snow covering the entire cwm. We picked our way around the Llyn and ended up heading up a gully to some previously spied large patches of snow that had been in the shade all day.

The group were taught how to use the rigid boots effectively to travel on snow in the gully before making their way to a rock outcrop next to one of the steep snowfields.  There seemed to be a lot of snow flying around in the air and being particularly attracted to Emily Bromage for some reason!  The shady snowfield gave us the exact conditions we wanted – firm snow at a good angle which meant you could slide down it very easily.

A crash pit/barrier was constructed at the bottom and the team slid down the slope as fast as they could.  The group were then taught how to use an ice axe to arrest a fall on steep, slippery terrain which included falling on their backs head first towards the end!

The two hours it took to deliver this flew by before it was time to continue our journey up the steep snow gully to the Craneddau Ridge. The view to Anglesey and beyond that greeted us was spectacular and the sea kayakers in the group started identifying the areas they had paddled on the island.

We made our way to the summit of Pen Yr Ole Wen and were treated to a phenomenon which none had seen before – a rainbow above our heads! The rainbow stood out starkly to the blue sky behind it and the team saw three further fainter ones at one point, giving four rainbows for a brief period. The views in all directions were amazing and the lack of wind meant that they could be enjoyed at our leisure. The team eventually made its way to the second peak of the day, Carnedd Dafydd, where the views and sunshine gave an alpine feel to the day. We also had the RAF give a free flying display as a search and rescue helicopter flew in and out of the Black Ladders.

This was made all the more entertaining as we were about 500m above the aircraft! The sun continued to shine as we started down and joined deep snowfields to quickly lose height and get us back to Ffynnon Lloer.  Emily then very accurately navigated our way back to the bus after a fantastic day in the hills. We arrived just as tea was served (perfect timing!) and the evening was spent drying gear and sleeping after the exertion required in the winter hills.

Sunday was a very different day. The weather had clagged in and someone had stolen the mountains! It was also due to snow all day.  Sadly Eddie had to leave us in the morning while the rest of the team set of from Pont Cyfyng (scary waterfall) to make their way up thought the old slate quarries to ascend Moel Siabod.

The team made good time up the clear path before turning to ascend the last vertical 200m up a snow gully which would take the team within 50m of the summit. This proved to be a high point for the weekend for most as the team had to apply the skills they’d learnt for the entire ascent. The team arrived excitedly on the ridge with poor visibility and then walked the short distance to the summit where they met Mr O who’d walked up the less adventurous Plas y Brenin Path to meet them.

After a quick summit photo in the clag and falling snow the team dropped to a stone shelter and sat in the two group shelters to drink and eat. Compasses and maps were studied and a course decided on to take us back down the side of the mountain Mr O had come up.

Visibility was very poor so the team had three compasses set. They also used other team members as ‘stones’ so they could move them onto the right bearing before the rest of the team leapfrogged them. Someone else was used as a stone and moved onto the correct bearing by someone with a compass.

A great weekend and looking forward to the same again next year!

AO

For more images in addition to those below please click here