Some pics from the weekend

Some pics from the weeekend... well done all on some really tough training and some real displays of character.
For the full gallery go to click here

Day one

12 tired people chilling out after a really tough day ... Pyg Track tomorrow


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Group Training Weekend Coming Up

A few pictures from previous weekends, for those Snowden virgins! The challenge steps up!


The plan is to split into 2 mixed ability groups. so everyone can be pushed (and pulled) along as quickly as possible

As always I'm bringing up the rear!

Pics from the weekend in Snowdon

A few selected pics ... the lot can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/100331667055371171075/SnowdonMay10SmallGroup?feat=email

Summary of Weekend

Rich, Caroline, Nikki and I went away this weekend with a view to building confidence and speed as well as to determine walks for the group Training Weekend in 2 weeks time.

We spent Saturday, doing some scrambling to get up Tryfan (3002ft) and then spent the afternoon exploring the old slate quarries that loom high over Llanberis. The day was tough mentally rather than physically as it really challenged us "rookies" emotionally, pushing what we thought we were capable of.

On Sunday we woke late, personally feeling a bit tender, the plan was to do a test run of a walk that Rich thought would be good to get the whole group to do in a few weeks time.

The first part of the route we had all done it with Andrew a month earlier and so we knew it was tough, so with a sense of apprehension we set off.

The first part of the climb up Y Garn is really steep and technically quite challenging but whilst it took over 100 minutes a month ago we were clear of it in an hour this time. It then took a further hour to get to the peak of Y Garn (3107ft) which was a mix of grassland and scree after a short rest we followed the gentle path down towards Elidir Fawr this a nice stretch with great views, before the gradient changed sharply before the peak of Elidir Fawr (3031ft).

Getting to the peak was tough because it was very windy but we were rewarded by a nice bit of shelter at the peak.

From there it was a slog down the hill path back to Nant Peris.

We did the walk in about 4 hours, which was great as Rich's guidebook suggested it would take about 7 (although it is very cautious).

Today we got up early to have a go at ascending Snowdon (3560ft) again before heading home. This time the weather was great and we made good progress up the Pyg Track, clearly more confident from what we had achieved over the last few days. Quickly we were at the top of the track and joined the Llanberis Path to make it to the summit (at exactly the same time as the train arrived, god I hate tourists!).

A quick coffee in the impressive new cafe and we decided to head down again on the Pyg Track. Despite it being quite slippery, we all decided to see how fast we could get down (running as many sections as possible). In the end we had got up and down in 3h 15 minutes and felt very pleased with the progress with have made.

Special thanks to the guys I shared this weekend with, it was really special and rewarding

Rich S

All the pics are being posted tomorrow, it was a pretty tough weekend so there are a lot fewer action shots!

Hard days climbing

Richard, Caroline, Nikki & I are spending the weekend camping in Snowdon. Today we did some challenging technical ascents tomorrow a long hard slog, preparing by eating curry