North Wales Gear Testing

The first of many adventures to grace the blog. Yay, one of my long awaited trips to the mountains of North Wales, I must admit I am kinda obsessed with the place, but that can't be such a bad thing....Well the plan was this basically a big new gear test as well as getting my dad up some proper mountains, he would tell you he has been up loads "big hills don't count, I tell him." So off to North Wales one Thursday night we go, this way we can make the most of a long weekend. First of all we did the only sensible thing which is make the most of the fantastic Bryn Tyrch pub in Capel Curig as it was in walking distance from where we planed to stay the night. After a bit of quaffing of some very fine beverages we headed back to the car parked at the base of Milestone Buttress. (gr: 661,603) So we headed up the hill and found a great pitch for my new Mountain Equipment Dragonfly 2 tent (see blog post 'Mountain Tent Perfection') just big enough for the tent, and just away from the base of the buttress not to put off any early rising climbers.

This is where the story  takes a bit of a sad/depressing turn so bear with me. At 4am in the morning I hear the car alarm going off :-( and get up to investigate and found both back windows smashed. Luckily only my dad overnight work bag and a rucksack with minimal stuff just cloths and a few dry bags etc went. However this is a reminder to keep you kit hidden/out of view in your car as in the boot was all my kit (over £2,500 worth) What this meant was a call to the police and an early morning jaunt to Lllanberis to get Autoglass to mend the back windows so our trip could continue in the spirit in which it was intended. However this meant we could go the Petes Eats for breakfast. If you have not been to Pete's you have not been for a proper adventure in North Wales, that's all I'm saying.......

The plan was to walk out to the bass of Dinas Mot (gr: 628,567) wild camp then back to Milestone the next day then off home, but this had been some what stunted by previous incidents of the day. So we drove back to the Tryfan Campsite and parked there.
(£1 for all day, and safe)

Now the route up the north face of Tryfan (gr: 667,599) down the South, Up Bristly Ridge (gr: 661,588), Summit Glyder Fach (gr: 656,583) and then down Y Gribin (gr: 651,582) to meet the A4086 then back to the car at the Tryfan Campsite (gr: 673,604)

So we set off and what an amazing day very windy, but dry and not cold with the right cloths on. I have this talent for being able to go to Wales and it not raining and as a rule the weather being on my side "I think I must have magical powers" The scrabble up the north ridge was great fun and when we got to the top we settled down behind Adam and Eve for a coffee and come food. (Jet Boil Flash review coming soon) After that it was back down then Bristly Ridge was the next challenge. I will always recommend a helmet for Bristly due to the very loose start, and you can not see who is above you. As you can see from the 3rd photo from the top shorts and t-shirts on the ridge (and yes we were stopped in a safe location hence no helmets) After the top hunting out the Canter Leaver Stone is always worth a go to try and get an original picture as a posed to the "lets all jump" Down Y Gribin now which is a long old slog right from almost 1000m down to 300m.

All in all an amazing day, but as I said as long as I am in Wales I am happy. Feel free to comment and ask questions and enjoy your trips to Wales or give me a shout and I will gladly take you ENJOY.....