Meet Report: Snowdonia Spring Bank-Holiday Meet 2014

Post date: Jun 9, 2014 6:42:22 PM

After a slightly slower than usual uptake of the meet, 12 of us eventually ignored the weather forecast and headed up to Snowdonia for this the 5^th year the club has stayed at the Llys Derwen Campsite for the annual Bank-Holiday Snowdonia meet. After a soggy arrival on the Friday night, most of us dried out in the pub and made plans for the next day. Whilst those arriving later were rewarded with a dark but dryer set-up.

Saturday started reasonably fine but was forecast to rain later, so all made our way over to The Carneddau range for a variety of walks including talking in Aber Falls, which was in full flow due to the early arrival on the monsoon season! The rain arrived during the afternoon, so all eventually returned slightly soggier than before but nothing that an evening in the pub couldn’t fix.

Sunday was forecast better with a fine morning and only lighter rain to come late afternoon. So all made our way over to The Ogwen Valley & took in a variety of walking/scrambling routes including Tryfan's North Ridge (with varying degrees of exposure!), Bristly Ridge & The Glyders, with Martin using the new Ogwen Visitors Centre as his starting point to run to the summit of Snowdon via Llyn Idwal, then back to the site! Predictably the rain arrived in the afternoon, but was localised to the mountains so thankfully we were all rewarded with a dry campsite to return to, before migrating again to the pub!

Heavy rain came in over Sunday night through to the early hours of Monday morning, but thankfully the promised good weather arrived Monday morning rewarding us with a dry pack-up & some welcome wind to dry wet tents & gear. Various visits to local attractions were taken in by all on route home, including the obligatory pilgrimage to the many gear shops in the area. Rick & Natalie took advantage of the forecast good weather & half-term break and planned to stay until Wednesday, whilst the rest of us headed home after a wetter than usual but equally enjoyable long weekend away with the club.

(Photo courtesy of Andy Dennis featuring the SMC Glyders Display Team!)

Dan Collins