Capel Curig meet report

[Geoff Nichols]

Capel Curig meet report

Alison arrived at the North London Mountaineering club hut, Capel Curig on Wednesday evening in time to share with Geoff listening to the second half of the Arsenal beating Real Madrid; Arteta’s best result. Great.
Thursday dawned bright and lovely. Geoff and Alison explored the east side of the Carnedds. We found Dulyn bothy which was in good nick and met three young lads finishing day 3 of an admirable DoE gold expedition. We made it up to Foel-fras, Carnedd Llewelyn, a fine ridge to Pen yr Helgi Du, and down a steep bwlch to Cwm Eigiau. In the cwm we found a mountain hut owned by Rugby mountaineering club, a good 3km from the road. 17km round trip. Kyle from Nottingham arrived that evening.
Friday was wet. Kyle went up the East ridge of Y Garn, down the sheep walk and as far up the very wet Devil’s kitchen he could get; as part of a mission to complete the N Wales scrambles. Alison visited Holyhead, Bethesda and lots of gear shops in Betws-y-Coed in a mission to completely re-equip herself. Geoff played with his grandson in Llanberis. Evening chess and cards in the hut.
Saturday was just light drizzle. Alison had to return for work, via Gwydir Castle. Kyle and Geoff did the scramble on Moel Siabod then a session in the Plas-y-Brenin climbing wall.
Sunday was good. Kyle and Geoff shared leads on four routes on Holyhead Mountain. Kyle led another two belayed by Geoff.
Monday – rain. We came home – misjudging the N Wales bank holiday exodus.

Welcome to Kyle on his first away meet. A beautiful hut in a great location. A pity more people did not come, especially if the North London Mountaineering club could have let it out to another club. Next time it might be better to have a cut-off for CMC members booking three months before the meet, then let the hut know the other places they could let out. If you’d like to run an away meet let Steve Leather, the meet secretary know where and when so we can fit it in the programme. If it’s a hut and involves a deposit we run it by the committee to make sure we are not committed to a booking we might not fill. The club’s produced guidance on running an away meet if this helps. At the moment we are looking for a meet in mid October – probably Wales – could be camping or a hut; and one over New Year.

And a few words and pictures from Alison to go with Geoff’s report:

The Hut is indeed lovely – so peaceful and off the beaten track – with a steep 5 minute “rustic” path to go up to reach the hut -. Basic and with a questionable wood burning heater – but still cosy and pleasant.

On the first day we left the hut on a frosty morning – blue sky and I was hopeful that as Geoff was still recovering from a broken tib/fib I would have a chance of keeping up with him – how wrong I was!! – not only was he on a mission to go up as many steep hills as fast he could (his normal mountain goat speed), in the quickest time, he seems to have a distain for paths – and so we went the most direct way, across bogs, peat and moss – but to be fair, his navigation was always spot on!. And once my heart rate and breathing returned to manageable I’m so glad we did keep going up and round the mountain range– the area was stunning and we met the most lovely people on the hill and at the little Bothy. The highlight was the cup of tea at the top of Carnedd Llewelyn made with the snow that remained on the hill. For the most the walk the going was easy until Bwich eryl Farchog where we had to go up narrow rocky slope. I then said I was going to follow a fence down into the valley as I’d had enough of going up hills –not the best idea as it was very steep, boggy, and yet also rocky – but the valley below really was lovely and there was an excellent path back to the car – past Llyn Eigiau reservoir that looked as if it had broken its banks some time ago. The road home was narrow, twisty but uneventful
It turns out that Geoff is a chess champion – and I wouldn’t bet good money playing cards against him! It made for a very enjoyable evening. Sad to leave that part of Wales and the good company of Geoff and Kyle.

Report with pictures attached.

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