Working Title “I’m The Only Gay In The Village”

By Peter Krug

A late arrival at the Dolgam campsite near Capel Curig (tent up 12.55) meant
a slightly tardy departure but nonetheless on the hill by about 10.45 to climb
‘er Henry or “Yr Elen” as it is known in these parts which I think was possibly
the only Welsh 3000r which I definitely have not done. Actually 10.45 was an
early start for me and Louise after the long drive the previous evening.

Headed off the Bethesda and headed off into the hills. We must have been
particularly unlucky because it was a cloudy morning in Snowdonia as we headed
up the valley. We spent a bit of time trying to get across a river because Lou
made several refusals owing to lack of a (walking) pole and previous dunking
experiences until we eventually we found a suitable spot! Crossed the river and
made our way up the shoulder and onto the ridge that approached Yr Elen from the
North West and were soon immersed in the mist as we found the summit with
unerring navigation.

We carried on along the tops noting steep drops to our left as we headed in
the mist to Carnedd Llewelyn and onto the next summit Foel Grach and then
descended to a col and headed left (North-west) for some time. After this good
navigation we lost the plot somewhat on the descent and ended up on the wrong
side of the hill and descending into the wrong valley. Doh! Lou made the
correction and soon we were back on track and reached the car as dusk set in!
Lesson of the day being that it is always good to keep concentrating even when
you think that the hard work has been done and never assume that the cloud level
was going to remain at the same level (even in North Wales). We could see our
route off the hill when we were walking up the valley during the morning but by
the time we were on our way down visibility had dropped a hundred or so metres.
Evening meal in campsite and then the call of the pub was answered!

Shockingly, Saturday morning in North Wales came up rather damp and dreary.
Another tardy start – “why bother” we thought. Nevertheless we kept to the plan
to climb Snowdon from the sarf! By the time we found our parking place not far
from Beddgelert, we realised we were too late to go for the summit. It was also
drizzling heavily as we left the car but we thought we might as well take a
stroll. We were glad we did because it was, in spite of the unusual wet weather,
a beautiful area (much nicer than Pen-y-Pass). The Autumnal colours of the
forests on the lower slopes were glorious. The rivers were in spate and the
waterfalls were mighty impressive as we made of way up the well maintained
track.

We stepped off the Watkin Path and carried on up the right hand side of the
Afon Cwm Llan. This area was dominated by the mass of Y Lliwedd to the
north-east which occasionally showed its summit through the cloud. It would also
have been dominated by Yr Wyddfa to the north-west except that that was
completely shrouded in the mist! How could that be – Yr Wyddfa in the cloud –
there must be some mistake! At least we couldn’t see the restaurant!

We made it up to a col (Bwlch Cwm Llan) and decided to head back down because
whilst we were enjoying ourselves you can have too much of a good thing (rain!).
Incidentally, there is much in the way of quarrying in this neck of the woods
and there were many derelict buildings and a particularly impressive incline
where the quarried rock was carted down off the mountain.

Next up was some mild gear-fondling in Llanberis where the weather was much
worse and a pint (of tea/coffee) in Pete’s Eats and went to Plas-y-Brenin and
then back to camp – cooked dinner and then the pub beckoned (again) and
naturally we relented especially as there were clothes to dry! The smell of my
socks melting on the heater was particularly noxious but we won’t go there! I
was shocked when the barlady advised me that Capel Curig was the wettest place
in England and Wales and needed several pints to recover.

Sunday morning was nicer so we could eat “al fresco” on the patio of my tent
and then we decamped and went to Llyn Ogwen. Here weather was again shockingly,
shite and cloud level was low (just above the Lake). We must have been really
unlucky with the weather. Nonetheless we went for a short walk up to Llyn
Bochlwyd and across to Llyn Idwal. Mindful of our navigational cock up two days
previously we used the rare opportunity of navigating in poor visibility in
North Wales to good effect! Having arrived safely at Llyn Idwal I introduced
Louise to the “Slabs” where believe it or not there was a group being taught to
climb on Ordinary Route. If they weren’t being put off by the, albeit unlikely,
inclement weather in Wales (in early November) then they must be keen!

We then headed off back to the car and home. Despite the surprisingly wet
weather we both enjoyed ourselves and I have just managed to dry my boots out.