An early adventure

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Came across these old photos of a very enjoyable adventure to Snowdon!

IMG_2652 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2631 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I have no idea how many times I have climbed Snowdon, but it is such a great mountain that I could never get tired of it. "It is very satisfying that the highest mountain in England and Wales is also the finest" said one travel writer.

The "architecture" of the ring of sharply pointed rock peaks and their narrow linking ridges, and the deep cwms with their blue-green lakes, is an extraordinary landscape.

Every time I visit, it is like a rediscovery of something marvellous.

I can't remember the year but it was late May I think. The walk was postponed from Easter, when Snowdon was plastered in deep snow. We went up by the Pyg Track and descended by the Miner's Track, followed by our traditional visit to the climbers' bar of the Pen y Gwyrd for a celebratory pint. It is always an enjoyable challenge to spot the signatures - Mallory, Tensing, Hillary, Bonington etc - written on the ceiling!

The first part of the walk we had dull cloudy conditions, so no photos, except this one of clouds swirling around the summit pyramid.

IMG_2559 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And this one of my son's friend giving him a helping hand.

IMG_2540 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

We enjoyed the new cafe. I wouldn't like all mountain tops to be like this. But this mountain top is also a railway station - so it seems fair enough to have good facilities for all the visitors.

Views on the descent were much better, the dark clouds rolled back for a while and there were even some bursts of sunshine. Lliwedd in particular looked fearsomely craggy, making up for the lack of views on the ascent. The photos tell their own story.

IMG_2574 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2607 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2610 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2639 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Not the weird white reflections of clouds on this view of Llyn Llydaw

IMG_2649 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2653 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2676 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2680 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2689 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2673 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2696 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2700 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr