Tryfan - the climb from HELL!

Date: 25th April 2010
Time: 8 hours
Distance: 3.6 miles - yup that's all!
Location: Tryfan, Snowdonia
Calories Burned: 5283
Team: Kirsty, Allen, Martin, Rob, Liz (Allen's Mum) and Me.
Weight Carried: 6 Kg

The Plan:
Walk for Sunday is Tryfan and the Glyders.  Leaving Crewe at 8am, it will take 1.5hrs to get there. The walk will be 6.5miles, and will climb up over 3,000ft. 
Some parts may be a bit scrambly. We are not walking the sheer face route, but round and up to the summit.  Weather for Snowdonia is currently bright with patchy rain.  Walkers is us plus Rob.


The Actual Event:
The weather was looking good for the walk with a bit of scrambling when I checked it the previous night.  I woke up at 5, breakfast, got ready and packed and out of the door for half 5.  
It rained all the way up to Crewe.
I did get there for half 7 and we set off to Wales at 8.  Kirsty drove the girls and Rob drove the boys.
We found the car park with no problems near Bethesda next to a YHA.  We dressed for rain, got choc stash from the shop (I'd been awake 4 hours and starving already) and were about to set off when we saw Glyn.  Had a big hug, persuaded him to lend Martin his waterproof trousers and set off.


The walking stopped after about a mile and the scrambling started.  It was a steep ascent and although I didn't find it physically demanding, the fear set it due to the steepness and the unsure nature of the ground under foot.  I couldn't look down.  I was on hands and feet for most of the way.  I did only a few times look away from my next step to look at the 'path' ahead and how others were managing it.  

We got to a wall with a stile. It was windy and exposed here and I'd found it so tough so far.  The route we were taking was around the back of Tryfan to the top.  It was constantly boulders and rocks.  My arms were aching, my hands covered in sheep poo and slug slime.  My knees were getting bruised and my heart was pounding (hence calorie count being so high) due to the height and fear of slipping.  I wanted to stop and wait for them to come back down.  The team persuaded me to carry on.  It was a good job they did as although they planned to come back that way, we didn't.

We stopped briefly for lunch.  I didn't have much of an appetite but did try and eat most of my lunch.  

It had drizzled most of the day so far, so lunch was brief.

We carried on and the top was not appearing to get any closer.  I was making slow progress and holding the rest of the group up.  Rob, Kirsty and Liz were about 10 foot in front when I really did give up reaching for the top.  I had got to the point where I just couldn't climb anymore.  I just wanted to get down. Kirsty, Liz and Rob gave up at their position also. They just couldn't see a safe way to reach the top.  Adam and Eve were not jumped between by any of our team.  I think we were around 10 foot from the top.  The others will attempt it again.  I never want to do that again.


By this point, it was clear we were not going to get time to fit in Glyders.  I just hoped that we would get down before dark.  It took so long because I was so slow and inexperienced at this sort of scrambling.

The route down I found easier.  I think the relief that the ground was getting closer was helping me overcome my fear of heights.  I did get stuck a few times.  I landed with one rock between my legs and bruised the lady garden which Kirsty found most amusing.  I also tried to drop down between two rocks and got my massive butt stuck between them.  Again, this amused the group.  Psychotic behaviour was setting in.  All related to the altitude.  

We finally reached a section of scree.  Again, something I had no experience with.  I was nervous and slow.  

Then grass and path back to the car park before dark.  I was also extremely grateful to see the toilets were still open.

The drive home for Kirsty was long.  I know I feel asleep and snoring and Liz also dozed off in the back.


I was glad I didn't have to drive back to Birmingham that night and could just shower and go straight to bed.


Every part of my body ached the next day.  My legs stopped aching on Thursday.  I was in so much muscular pain I didn't go to the gym all week.  I still think it was a bigger mental / emotional battle for me on Sunday though.

The Berwyns

Date: 11 April 2010
Time: 8 hours
Distance: 13 miles (rest of team did 14.7)
Calories Burned: 3885
Weather: Forecast to be sunny and 14°C. Actual was very sunny and very hot.
Allen Morris rating: 6/10 - reduced to 4/10 then upped to 4.5/10 after many 'discussions'.
Team: Kirsty, Allen, Rose, Rob, Martin, Nick
Weight carried: 84 Kg of me (Oh Mi God how did that happen..) and 7.5Kg in bag - heaviest bag so far.

The Plan:
Leaving Crewe at 8.00am, travelling to Wales (1.5hrs) then walking the Berwyns. This is a ridge walk (similar to Helvelyn), and will be walking up to/ over 2,000ft, it will be about 10/11 miles and will take about 6/7hrs.

The Actual Event
Left Crewe around 8:15 and made the journey to Wales. I was slapping on the factor 50 thoroughly. I had also decided to only put one Compeed on right heel.
Half way around I did add one to the left heel as I felt a hot spot.

We found the free carpark with no problem. The toilets were spot on as well. Boots on and off we set. I had decided not to bother with the gaiters due to the previous week of sunny weather and the fact I thought my legs might sweat to death. The shorts were not an option partly due to risk of burning and partly due to not wanting them scratched all over.

We set off and it didn't take long to get down to the T-shirts. Generally the paths were boggy and heathery. We got to the top of the hills where I sat down for a rest with the bags (and Knackered Knee Nick), while the others did a quick jaunt up the first hill. When they got back, we set off along the ridge of the 2nd hill and kept going. I couldn't look down.

I had already stepped in some deep mud, so was looking a bit of a mess, when I stepped on what looked like quite firm ground. I went half way up my calf and to prevent myself from going deeper I just through myself at the grassy bank in front of me. Luckily there was no one too near as I could have taken out a few people with my poles.

We reached the summit of Mole Sick (it sounded like that - not sure of correct spelling) for lunch.

Lunch was had (pasta, smoothie and penguin) and we set off again.

Mole Earwig (or some similar sounding name) was the next destination.

The views all along the route were gorgeous. There was some snow on high points. I can't believe after the weather for the last week and the fact it's April, that there is still snow around.

Nick started to struggle with his knees but he still managed to be faster than me. Definately need to get back into the gym and diet regime.

On the way down I had yet another mud trauma. There was a vast expanse of mud laid out in front of me. The rest of the team had navigated across it with few issues. This was partly due to their low body weight and massive barge sized feet. My massive weight and minute surface area (small feet) meant that when I tried to follow I sank yet again up to knees. I had panic I was falling back and going to splat in the mud, but luckily let out massive trump which propelled me forward and out of the mud pit. Most embarassing, but would rather that than be covered head to toe in mud. I must also remember to bring towel to sit on in persons car on way back incase get muddy, or leave change of clothes in car!

I found the last 3 miles hard going. My toes hurt. I must remember to readjust boot laces on regular basis as I think they slacken off over time.

I did worry about sunburn, so I had my buffy over hair, forehead, ears and tops of eyes. My fleece had to go back on for the last few hours just to cover arms. The factor 50 did it's job though. I have caught the sun on exposed bits, but only red on edge of hair line where I clearly missed with the suntan lotion.

The pasta for lunch is working far better than sandwiches.