Snowdon - The Rhyd Ddu Route

The Plan
Walk: Rhyd-Ddu Path
Distance: 7¼ Miles
Morris Rating: 4

Depart: 7.30 from Crewe
Start: 10.00
Finish: 5.00
Home: 7.00
Weather Forecast: Sunny spells with rainy showers

Actual
Walk: Rhyd-Ddu Path
Distance: 7¼ Miles
Morris Rating: 4
Depart: 7.45 from Crewe
Start: 10.00 - near enough.  had good run from crewe
Finish: 5.30
Home: 7.30 - via scenic route

Calories Burned: 3516
Weather: Dry and cloudy. Cloud cleared as we came back down (typical).
Team: Allen, Martin, Kirsty, Liz, John and Me

 

I made good time getting up to Crewe.

Phil had given me some energy drink to try out so I'd made that up Fri night in preparation.

I packed my 'journey to' food (drink, hob nobs and banana), lunch and 'journey back' food.

The team gathered at the Allman Close residence and we set off in 2 cars.

The carpark was found without issue and contained toilets (always good).  It was next to the Rhyd Ddu railway station - so steam trains are still haunting me.

The weather had rained on my drive to Crewe and looked cloudy and threatening, so I did put on the ole waterproofs.  Within 5 minutes of setting off, I was sweating buckets so the top layers came off but I kept the bottoms on just in case.  In future I might wait until it starts to rain.  Or I could purchase some that are easier to get on....

The path was laid out so easy to follow if a bit steep in places.  The views would be stunning in the right weather.  The cloud covered the tops of all the surrounding hills and we couldn't see the summit (which was probably a good thing as so far away).

It started to zig zag whilst following a fence and then we got to the ridge section.  Not far, only approx. 300m, but enough to set my heart racing.  It was a bit windy and exposed in a few small sections, but these places seemed to be when people wanted to stop to take pictures, run past with dogs or just stop and admire the view.  The girl that ran past with the dogs looked particularly barmy.  Corned beef legs (very small shorts n tiny top), and 2 collies.  I could barely walk along the section how about run along the uneven path.  Kirsty's dad (John) informed the girl he was 'impressed'.  I miss heard thinking he was saying something about her breasts.  I'm still not convinced!!!!

We got along the ridge, and climbed the last few bits towards the café. We approached from behind it and could hear the train.  Stomped upto the trig point, had a photo taken, then made our way down a bit for lunch. 

I got very cold very quickly stopping for lunch.  My fingers were freezing.  I must get thin waterproof gloves!!!

We then entered the café to use the facilities and have a hot drink.

I was surprised how empty the whole place was.  I had expected the summit to be more busy generally.

We made our way back down as the weather cleared up.  By the time we had reached the bottom, we had a clear view of the top and the train.

I do think that the energy drink (psp22 or something) helped.  Also having hobnobs and a banana on route to the base also helped.  Snacking on hobnobs now and then certainly boosted energy levels, so I must remember to do that again.













All in all a good day and the time it took to walk the route was less than advised.

The drive home was long though.  I dozed off straight away, woke an hour later, to find we were in Llangollen and therefore not even close to England.  Apparently Allen has a splinter in his hand and this affected the sat nav performance.

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.