Remembering an Old Friend

It’s been 10 years since Bill died.  He was the club’s heart and soul and he probably had more influence over the running and direction of the club than any other member.  There is a significant gap in the club that has been left behind; Bill left big shoes to fill.

On the tenth anniversary of Bill's passing I thought that we should do something to honour his memory.  I suggested a walk starting at our hut and heading up Moel Eilio would be appropriate as the hut was a focal point of Bill's life and he had probably walked to the summit of Eilio more times than anyone would care to suggest.

Although the day of the anniversary fell on a Tuesday most of Bill's contemporaries would be retired and it would not be too much of an inconvenience to attend.  Ten of us gathered at the hut in poor weather and a worse forecast so suggestions to amend the itinerary gathered support.  Predicted 50mph winds, poor visibility and heavy rain convinced us to stay low and initially head for Penceunant Isaf just above Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon's Llanberis path.

We went uphill first before traversing Eilio's lower slopes and following the path to the derelict Hebron chapel.  The weather forecast was accurate and we reached the tea rooms to order coffee and bara brith.

Following a leisurely rest we once again donned waterproofs and walked down to the town and then across to Vivian quarry where we remembered some of Bill's stories and the routes he climbed.  We headed into Padarn Country Park, stopping to admire the horns and long fleeces of a flock of feral goats, but not their smell!  At the old quarry hospital we tucked into our packed lunches although when the rain came again we hastily retreated into the old mortuary!  Once the rain had stopped we strolled back to the hut.

Although the weather was not brilliant we managed to reminisce about our times with Bill, recalling some of our favourite stories.  I'm glad that we had made the effort and it was gratifying to know that Bill is much missed but fondly remembered by his friends and club mates.

Foel Goch & Moel Eilio from Padarn Country Park

A New Start

Because of my recent Lakeland-centric wanderings to complete the Wainwrights and Outlying Fells, it had been quite a few years since I had stayed at my climbing club’s hut in Llanberis.  The Christmas meet provided an ideal opportunity to bag a couple of Nuttalls – the list that I’ll be mostly concentrating on.

I have always been keen to walk up Mynydd Mawr, having been captivated by this picture by Ginger Cain.  A fellow Scouser, Ginger has produced some magnificent mountain art, and his Llanberis gallery of the same name is well worth a visit.

Six of us set off for Nant-y-Betws near Betws Garmon and a short road walk led to a bridge over Afon Gwyrfai to woodland where the climb started.  We emerged below Cwm Du and followed the path westwards to the base of the north-west ridge.  The path upwards was soon found and we followed it steadily to the mist-covered summit.  The lack of a view, combined with a breeze and rain made this a place not to linger so we headed down, along the top of the Craig y Bera cliffs.  One of our senior members entertained us with past stories of loose rock on the well-known Sentries Ridge as we gazed through the mist down the gullies to the narrow arêtes.

The steep descent led to some shelter at the top of the forest where we stopped for lunch before finding the vegetated path at the bottom of the forest.  A quick road walk past the Snowdon Ranger led back to the cars and a quick refreshment visit to the Cwellyn Arms before driving back to the hut for an epic Christmas Dinner.

Following the previous night’s festivities, no firm plans were being made and nobody expressed any interest in joining me on a foray on to the most northern tops of the Carneddau.  Starting from the parking area below Bwlch y Ddeufaen, a path ran alongside the wall to the west ridge of Foel Lwyd and then followed the north side of the wall, slightly avoiding the true summit of this WASHIS classified hill.  By now the wind had gained quite some speed, making the climbing of the wall a little awkward.  The summit cairn was found easily as well as the alternative summit mound.  Once I’d found the throughstones in the wall, regaining the path was easier than leaving it.

I dropped down to the col and was quickly at the rebuilt trig pillar of the Nuttall summit of Tal y Fan.  The breeze helped with the decision to leave quickly and regaining the col led to the good path down to the road.

Now in my post-Wainwright existence, a couple of simple Nuttalls eased me into a new era.  I’m looking forward to some new mountainous areas to explore.