Challenge a Gentleman Adventurer!: SNOWDON

So, after the incredibly wet and cold first attempt to climb Snowdon I was back.

And I was considerably more waterproof!

It was time to get clever about this. Having checked the Met Office forecast, Thursday seemed the best day to

climb Snowdon. Rain in the morning but clearing up later. Having waxed my boots, I kitted myself out in my finest waterproof trousers and coat, and many layers of fleece I was ready for this.

We changed tactics from last time opting for the miners track, over the Pig track which had been so chillingly windy the last time, this followed the valley floor and we planned to creep in under the wind and weather

then take the steep climb to the top.

With all of the fellows that previously accompanied me in Sweden, dissertation hell and suffering from asthma I had the pleasure of being accompanied by Joseph Munns Esq!

Having driven through a very rainy England and a very cloudy Wales our hopes of a dry and easy climb were not high. However when we pulled into the Pen-y-Pass car park it wasn't raining, though Snowdon's peak was hidden in the clouds.

We set of at a brisk pace and the visibility was good enough to actually see the view! Wales has a very pretty landscape when you can actually see it! The only part of the weather that was particularly worrisome was the wind. Gusts would come down when the wind was quite tranquil and this would catch you unawares and threaten to blow you off your feet. With most of the track being broken rock there were some interesting moments of leaping from one foot hold to another to avoid a broken ankle.

Progress was good and It wasn't long before we found ourselves at the point where we had been forced to turn back last time. The going was good! It hadn't rained! Though the peak was still shrouded in cloud.

We ascended into the clouds. though they weren't the dark clouds of our previous attempt but the kind of cloud that still gives the impression of there being a sun in the sky.

Up on the ridge to the peak the wind whipped up, and though it wasn't raining, the clouds we were walking through were condensing on us.

Finally out of the mists loomed a stone staircase and at the top a huge cairn, taller than two men.

The summit of Snowdon!

So we had a spot of tea in the clouds and wind.