Its good Friday, I havent been anywhere near my usual active levels for months (since some heavy knee surgery back in December) ive got lots of free time, last weekend I painted the shed. This weekend I had no real plans. This is what the Internet is made for. Soon I found a weekend hike in Wales with SVL Adventures, a tentative email and yes, they still had a place for the weekends 'Snowdon Adventure' 'I'm in!' I typed, without reading the description. I downloaded a kit list, chucked my stuff in the car and took off down the M1.
As I got closer I realised I was a) by myself b) going to be sharing a room in a hostel. Ahhh what's the worst that can happen? I do like a little adventure!
Arriving at the hostel I found a most agreeable pint of Welsh beer in the adjoining Swallow Falls bar. I relaxed and had a couple before Simon of SVL arrived. We had a chat, nice chap- apart from having pineapple on his pizza. I was sharing a room with another solo adventurer, Mandy and invited Simon in too as he was going to sleep in his camper.
It's amusing how we were all so polite in the hostel bedroom, you sleep politely (no gaseous escapes, snoring or late night loo flushing etc!)
A surprisingly comfortable bed and warm room meant I had a good sleep and was raring to go on Saturday morning. Most opted for the sturdy Welsh breakfast and I enjoyed a bacon butty and three cups of coffee before we headed out. Parking the car and prepping to get ready i began to get to hooks with names, there was kindred spirit Mandy, another lone traveller with great hair and amazing photography skills, Army girl Ria, beautiful strong and very accomplished, Fiesty and determined Janet who lived on a boat, Runner Gemma who was always laughing and smiling, incredible mother and daughter combo, Clare and Natasha (they look like sisters!) and Deborah whose quiet determination would amaze us all by the end of the weekend. And not forgetting the boss man Simon, quietly guiding this group of chatty women up some of the toughest walks (I bet he enjoyed a nice quiet drive home, poor chap!)
We took off up Tryfan and the chatter died down as the effort levels increased. Every now and then we'd stop for a rest and look back at some stunning views. The weather was clear and we pressed on, encouraging and getting to know each other in the process.
The summit too a while to get to, but there were some technical bits - 'tricky' as Simon called them on the route that kept us all focused. Once we reached the top we found the Adam and Eve stones, two monoliths with practically no footholds on them. Some like to climb them and leap from one to another for kicks, I climbed one but there was no way I was going to leap the four foot between them, although I saw many who did. Mandy also climbed up and we took a few snaps.
A break and a snack whilst Simon explained the route to the next mountain, Glyder Fech which we could see in the distance. Crikey, my legs weren't going to thank me for this! We set off at a good pace down Tryfan and were soon on the ascent up Glyder Fech, now this was a challenge, a sheer scree face ensured most of the climb was spent using your hands, feet and wits! I've never done anything like this, the rock was loose and the surface very steep. Exhausted I stopped halfway up, realised I had a great signal and facetimed my mother for a short while! Soon I was at the top and saw the Cantilever Stone in the distance, Ahhh I'd seen this beauty on pics before and had no idea this is where it was! I waited for the ladies to arrive and we all got a nice group picture.
The descent was pretty scary, very steep, some 'tricky' areas - especially if you try and freestyle it, but we all made it on one piece, we all learned the value of sliding on your bum if you didn't trust your feet (some more than others ahem!)
What a brilliant day, so many personal achievements, we were pumped for Snowdon the next day.
A hearty meal, some chats and a couple of drinks and we were all in bed asleep quite early to prepare for the trek up Snowdon
Sunday morning soon arrived and we drove to Llanperis and got our wet weather gear on. The forecast was rain, but we weren't going to let this stop us.
A sharp uphill start soon got us all warm and the long steady climb began, the rain came down and our tired legs remained resolute. We stared longingly at the train as it passed us. It became apparent the the group were walking at very different paces so Simon gave Ria, who was storming ahead, a radio. We stopped briefly at a cafe almost halfway but were soon starting to get cold. Marching on I certainly began to want the summit to appear, the rain was relentless and the clouds obscured many of the views. The path grew steeper and more difficult and I was walking alone (there were many people on the mountain coming and going) my legs were really starting to object and the rain stung my face, then out of the clouds I could just make out the summit, spurred on I arrived just after Ria and we had a chat and took some pics, a quick FaceTime with my best pal and I made my way off the top, I was getting cold, my hands wouldn't work well enough to get my gloves on. Panicking slightly I told Ria I was heading back down, I walked fast to preserve my body heat, I knew I'd pass the rest of the team on the way back so wasnt too worried.
I marched on and was beginning to feel warmer when I noticed the path seemed a bit different to the way up. Gulp, had I gone wrong? I decided to stick with the path as it was definitely going down the mountain and I didn't fancy going back up!!
I didn't see many people but the weather cleared and the views were incredible.
About 90 mins later I reached the road, there was a youth hostel and a big car park hostel was closed and I had no phone reception. Spotting a couple returning from a walk I asked for help. They informed me I'd taken the Ranger path back down and was on the wrong side of Snowdon! Luckily they dropped me at a pub a few miles In the right direction and I got dry and had a beer whilst I waited for a taxi. £20, a chat with Mick from the Wirral and a few scenic miles later I was reunited with the group at Llanperis who had just descended.
Congratulatory hugs all round and massive smiley faces we began to take on our amazing achievements of the weekend.
Huge thanks to Simon for looking after us all so well, Mandy for the jacket loan and a hot dinner, Gemma for the hole in the leggings episode, Deborah for keeping me company coming home, Clare for being in team 'Grans who can' Ria for just being in my sight and keeping me going, Tash for being so incredibly brave, and Janet for just being Janet !
Life is really out there for living, and you don't need to look to hard to find some really amazing things to do with incredible people, it doesnt take huge money, all you need is a little time and some determination. Look, I promise you will find!
