Monthly Archives: Apr 2013

Snow on Snowdon

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+5° @ ground, -6° at summit.
Started this morning not sure whether I would attempt the summit. So we started off, after a lengthy breakfast, at 11.30. At each stage I was encouraged by conditions. So up we went.
The landscape on the ridge another world, only a year after I started to feel jaded by busy Snowdon. On the upper reaches, towards the summit, the snow changed. It became harder to dig toes in to get a foothold, and crampon marks became common.
The ice became difficult only at the summit cafe and the trig point. I decided against a descent the same way, too risky. The Snowdon Ranger path is far easier, but took up off the mountain on the wrong side.
We arrived in Rhyd Ddu at about 6 after a diversion across moor-land. That left up with a long walk along roads, 7 miles in all. Back at camp at 9.30.
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What does this all mean? We visited another country, another world. Ice sculpted rocks poked out threatening.
We walked long and hard, but my stamina did not lessen. Poor Rosie struggled in the last 5 miles, she’s getting older but perhaps needed another feed. This morning, I have stiff legs, but no blisters, no injuries. I feel strong.

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Molwynian snow crossing.

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-3 to +9, clear blue.

Crossed the ridge from south to North. Walked for 8½ hours with a few breaks not counting photo stops. Most of it was on snow. A new experience for me, the technique seems to be – dig your heels in on the way down. There were few of The ice slides I had feared but I did change the route. It’s a bit like walking on soft sand, except that the support is less predictable. Sometimes the snow supports your weight, sometimes your foot plunges in deep. Deep enough to reach your bum a few times.image

Gwynant morning.

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-3°C, clear, calm.

Coldest morning that I have ever woken to in a tent. The water bladder is a slush-puppy inside and the tap is frozen. I cleared it but it’s glazed over again now. However, it’s a dazzling beautiful morning and I am comfortable in my quilted coat and ski salopettes. It’s dangerous on the upper slopes of Snowdon, so probably best to walk on the Molwynion just south of here. The ground should be less marshy between snow fields.image

Birch spore rhinitus

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9°C, clear, icy at night.
Sneezes- but no cold. It’s just like hay-fever so I blame tree spores.
The campsite I had in mind has not opened their canoes, said because the water is too cold. Really? I can sometimes see people in boats, breaking thin ice as they go. Go on, let me go out.
I have a three-season sleeping bag, with a bivvy to pull over if it’s still too cold in the dead of the night..
So, this change of plan- a different site with wood burners and better shelter from the dry, bitter northerly wind.

Tuesday twenty.

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8°C,Clear sky, warmer.
Quick dash with MapMyRide! Distance: 22.03mi, time: 01:28:40, http://mapmyride.com/view_route?r=3382856112234561537
Very dry, dusty in places with some lumps of snow remaining. Got an idea for the weekend though- go to Wales and camp by Llyn Gwynant. If the hills are too icy to venture high, then spend time in a canoe, with low-land walks for the rest of the time. Their website says the valley floors are free of snow. I could venture up to the snowline with my main camera. That should mean that it’s easy to get up to the Watkins stone, great photos can be found up there.
Night temperatures shouldn’t be too far below freezing, but forecasts warn of ice and the need for crampons. I should do a course at Plas-y-brenin to be safe.

One thousand

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…miles to Easter…

the total so far:
Fixed gear 280 miles.
Arrow: 700.5 Miles.
Racelite: 0.0

Not matched the usual thousand miles by Easter. Okay, so Easter is early this year and I lost 2 week’s worth because of bad weather and illness. This is the first time this has happened that I can remember.