Diamond Challenge - Training Glyderau

[chinksster]

Hi all, well this is the first post of the year. Having only done some limited walks in the Peak District and Staffordshire, this is the first 'big one'. I work at a school in the midlands and we run the DofE awards there. This year is the Diamond Anniversary. https://dofediamondchallenge.org/ So a group of 4 teachers are planning an epic challenge. We are going to have a couple of days in the Cuillins and aim to climb the Inn Pin with the Skye Guides. Once we have enjoyed that diamond region of Scotland we are heading down to Fort William to start a 24 hour 3 Peaks Challenge something several of us tried a few years ago and didn't quite to it in 24 hours. Hopefully this is our year.

Our team page is: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/24Hour3PeaksMunroDiamond

So in order to have some quality family time and get some training in we have been to the Glyderau a couple of times in the past 2 weeks or so. We returned unsuccessful on the last day of winter due to weather and temperature issues.

This post is a successful attempt and although should have took half this time was great fun. You see my children love the snow, we ski regularly and they have been brought up in the mountains so once we got to the summit plateau it took some 4 1/2 hours to exhaust the snow fun as we traversed!

We left the YHA at Pen-y-Pass at 9.10 am on the morning with the hope of some clear summits. Over the past 72 hours or so the region had had some good snow fall at higher elevations.


So off we went. The route took us up the south western side of Llyn Cwmffynnon gradually gaining elevation as we tracked north up the shoulder of Glyder Fawr.







After a little bit of the steeper stuff we rested, just as we reached the snow line for a hot chocolate.



That's it our pace now fell away as snow fun began!



Sheepfold and more snow!



We now headed north to reach the summit of Glyder Fawr. Lots of snowfields to cross and play in!





The cloud and fog now made the Glyderau even more mystical. Nyree was particularly captivated by it all. We expected to find the Snow queen in some of the amazing rock formations on the summit.











Nearly there...







Very proud...


Now we began the traverse. Much of it was in the mist but it added to the fun. It took an amazing 4 hours! They had lots and lots of fun in the snow!





A nice break in the clouds to reveal Llyn Cwmffynnon and Anglesey in the distance.



Dropping down a little before reaching Castell y Gwynt and Glyder Fach.









Finally the Cantilever Stone! The kids have been on about this since last year's challenge.




Finally the clouds broke and the sunshine came through revealing some lovely views and panoramas.



Tryfan looking great. We will be back another time!



and me!



Time for the descent! more snow to be had I fear before all the heather!



Every last bit of snow had to be stomped in!



Y Foel Goch


Nyree in the Heather



Time for some tea



Our last photo was not long before the dark clouds descended and we had an enormous hail storm. We are just above Roman Camp at this point. We escaped the mountain asap down to the A4086. It really was horrific. The cloud formations were amazing as we drove home. I will see if I can get them off Bode's phone and post them a t a later date.


Another great day out in Wales. A good training session however the pace will need to be much much faster. Please do go to our team page and sponsor us if you can or just text QMHS £1 to 70070 if you can every bit helps to inspire the next generation of countryside appreciating youth. The Duke of Edinburgh Awards are a real way of getting the young to appreciate our glorious country. Thanks

https://www.justgiving.com/Carls-MunroDiamond

[ChrisW]

Some lovely shots there and how nice it is to see a family out enjoying the hills so much. Even better that the sky magically cleared away for the shots on the cantilever stone. Good luck with the challenge

[dav2930]

Quite a challenge for such young kids, but they looked like they loved every minute of it! Great stuff and good luck with the Inn Pinn.

[Alteknacker]

Absolutely wonderful to see the kids having so much fun. Fabulous pics

I always say the same thing: you're giving them a gift for life (one I hope to succeed in giving to my grandchildren).

And the icing on the cake: the lad supports the right football team.....