Explorer Scouts Hillwalking - Pre-meet 23rd October – 28th to 30th October 2005 in Wales

Despite the low numbers of P&H Explorers this was a highly enjoyable event. Explorers Alex and Kirstyn and leaders Karin, Ronelle and James teamed up with Explorers from Mitcham and Mordor under the expert guidance of Ron Wellbrook, Bob Lewis, Pete Hawken, Pete Treagust, John, Dave, Joe, another Dave and any others I’ve forgotten to mention!

After a long but uneventful drive up to North Wales via Chester (~290 miles) we arrived to find the lights on but no one home at the old hall (or Yr Hen Neuadd in Welsh). After an emergency chinese or fish ‘n’ chips where required, Bob Lewis the base warden was found an we met up with the rest of the group. Time was marching on so it was early to bed, though some of the girls managed to keep a gossip focus group running until 3:30am when they were eventually told to shut up.

The next morning happened at a startlingly early 7:15 and was followed swiftly by breakfast, a kit check and a change of plans. Most groups were going to modify their planned routes due to probable bad weather (there is a saying in Wales: if you can see the peaks, rain is comming. If you can’t see them, it has arrived.) but the leaders were keen to press on with their ascent of Tryfan. Four groups went their seperate ways after arranging to meet back at the hall in the early evening.

Following well established mountaineering and Hillclimbing principles, we leaders adopted the travel light with tasteful headwear image of the experienced crag hopper.

We then set off for the North ridge path of Tryfan, a route described as ‘Hard’ in all the guides I have subsequently looked in. I see now it is described as a scramble all the way - where scramble doesn’t mean hopping about in the manner of a lively kitten with heaps of energy, rather it means you will be bent double, scrabbling for support on all-fours all the way up to the top, a mere 606 meters vertically from the valley floor!

I’ll write a bit more tomorrow!

More photos of the action.

Details of base at Bethesda

Here is the Kit list for the weekend.