Anwyl Gyfeillion, Penrhyn Quarries 14 Peaks, Thank you letter, 1999 14 Peaks, Zyper, Welsh 1000m race, Scotland revisited.
Anwyl Gyfeillion,
I am sorry that this issue is a bit late but I have been occupied
with other things, also I had to wait for a letter of thanks that
was promised from the Quarry management team following our
support that we gave them so that I could include it here, well
that's my story anyhow!
Following a heavy hand placed on my shoulder I have been obliged
to include a Sunday section to the walks report, these group of
people like to call themselves 'The Sunday Club' and feel they
are worthy of a mention, unfortunately the person responsible for
the report was away gallivanting in the Pyrenees - next issue
maybe?
I am just glad that people are taking an interest and would like
to thank you for sending in articles and reports of your
activities - after all it is what makes this newsletter possible.
I am still getting to grips with the new double-sided format, it
means that I have to have all the articles for a given quarter
typed in and saved on my computer before I can start inserting
them into the DTP (Desk Top Publishing) programme, whereas with
the old style newsletter I just inserted them as I received them
- got that? I haven't!
PENRHYN QUARRIES 14 PEAKS CHALLENGE
Members of the Club recently had a request from Penrhyn
Quarries asking for support for a team of quarry managers who
were attempting the 14 Peaks. They were: Gary Jones, Arfon
Griffiths, Alan Hicks, Griff Rutigliano and David Lundy. It was
to be a day crossing and four members - namely John Moriarty,
Garri, David Thomas and Steve Cross were to accompany them during
the walk.They started from Yr Wyddfa in the wind and rain and
made good progress down to Nant Peris, where Kevin Sullens from
the Quarry was their first support. It was here that a sixth
quarry walker had to drop out due to fatigue! A wise move because
there was still a lot of ground to be covered.
Various Club members and quarry workers were giving support on
the Glyderau which was crossed in cloudy conditions. Down to
Ogwen where Chris and Jean were waiting for them. Several more
Club members joined in at this stage to give moral support, the
wind was now nearly gale force as they ascended Pen yr Ole Wen,
not very nice conditions for your first crossing. It was on
Carnedd Dafydd that I met up with them at 5.00pm, having been up
there since 11.30am - far too early but I had been anticipating a
fine and clear day, as it was I had been crouched in the summit
cairn trying to shelter from the wind. Water was handed out to
all, collected from the spring below Dafydd, then they were off
to finish the remaining four Peaks. As I was carrying camping
equipment I lagged behing a bit. I left them on Llywelyn as they
headed towards Yr Elen, and made my way to the refuge on Foel
Grach. It was raining heavily by now and I shared the shelter
with various groups of other wet 14 Peakers. At last our group
arrived, still going strong and in high spirits despite being
soaked to the skin - they really were a fit group of people. Here
I left them to bag the final summit of Foel Fras, they completed
the crossing in a time of 15 hours and 42 minutes, a very
respectable time indeed. They only had to walk down to Llyn
Anafon where there were quarry vehicles waiting to whisk them to
the comfort of the pub - me? - I spent a very wet and wild night
camped on the side of Foel Grach trying to keep water out of my
tent.
Berwyn.
Here is a copy of a letter we received from
Penrhyn Quarries following our support of their 14 Peaks
crossing. It was accompanied by a generous cheque of £100.00 for
our Club funds.
22nd June 1999
CLWB MYNYDDA BETHESDA
BETHESDA, GWYNEDD.
Dear Berwyn,
I am writing to thank you all very much for your much valued
support and encouragement during our Snowdonia Challenge, without
all your efforts and support I don't think we would have been
able to complete the challenge.
We completed the challenge in 15 hours 42 minutes.
Again, many thanks for everything.
Yours Sincerely,
Gary Jones.
The weather was not looking promising as we waited outside the
Spar for the minibus to take us to Llanberis, the cloud was low
and there was a few drops of rain in the air. The weather was the
same at the Snowdon Mountain Railway station where the lady at
the ticket booth told us there might not be enough people to fill
the train. We waited for ten minutes and were told the train was
departing at 2.00pm - but only to Rocky Valley. All six of us
climbed aboard, and together with another couple, made a grand
total of eight. As the train climbed higher the weather worsened,
and as we got out at halfway it was full waterproofs for the walk
to the summit. An hour later we were huddled in the cafe doorway
undecided as to what to do, we were already wet but after a quick
bite to eat decided to make for Crib Goch and take it from there.
The weather was atrocious with strong winds and rain and the
crossing of Grib Goch was made dangerous with the wet rock, as
Garri found out when he took a slip and managed to hold on by his
fingertips. We eventually reached Nant Peris where Huw, Ian and
Graham were waiting for us with food and drink. We were soon
feeling better, and made our way up Elidir Fawr in high spirits,
even glimpsing a bit of blue sky over Llanberis. It was a cold 10
minute break on the summit and then we headed for Y Garn which
was reached in 1 hour an 10 minutes. Down to Llyn y Cwn where it
was now dark enough to put on our headtorches. We were supposed
to meet Graham here but we had missed him by 5 minutes, he had
headed back down to Llyn Idwal after thinking he had missed us.
It was here that Kevin Thomas the butcher had to call it a day
because of back and leg trouble - the 14 Peaks takes no
prisoners!!
It was the usual slog up the Glyder Fawr scree slope, and when we
reached the top the night mist had really come in. It was so
dense the light from our torches just bounced back at us and it
took us an hour to cross over to Glyder Fach. It was a similar
story going down the side of Bristly Ridge and we were glad to
reach Bwlch Tryfan for a 10 minute break. We literaly flew up
Tryfan and did not even stop on the summit - there was food to be
had at Ogwen and we were hungry. Chris, Jean, Ian and Graham were
at the lay-by brewing away and handing out all sort of food, who
cares if it was 3.30 in the morning - we didn't.
It was now light again as we headed for Pen yr Ole Wen, Graham
now joining us for the rest of the way. It was now Dafydd Thomas'
turn to feel the effect of this long walk and it was only his
brute strength that got him to the summit. Carnedd Dafydd was
reached and we all collapsed in the summit cairn for a well
earned rest, we had ten peaks under our belt and only another
four to go. The last big climb up to Llywelyn went without
incident and Graham looked after our sacs as we bagged Yr Elen.
This peak branches out from the main Carneddau ridge, requiring
us to 'double back' to Llywelyn. The weather was clearing as we
headed for Foel Frach - our penultimate peak, nothing could stop
us now. We arrived at the summit of Foel Fras in dribs and drabs,
tired but happy, footsore but elated. Hands were shook and photos
were taken, but there was no escaping the fact that we had a two
hour walk down to the comfort of the cars. The low cloud would
not leave us alone and dogged us all the way to Llyn Anafon. We
met up with our support teams half way down and were treated to
some merry banter, enough to lift our morale for the final few
miles. We were whisked back to Bethesda for breakfast at Jake's
before spending the rest of the afternoon in the Vic - replacing
lost fluid as they say!!
Are you heading off to the Dolomites this year or in the
future to tackle some of the Via Ferrata? - then just take a
minute to consider the following.
Via Ferrata are high airy trails built during the war to move
troops around the mountains. They are protected by steel cable,
metal handrails and ladders. By clipping into these handrails you
can move safely along these trails, but beware - clipping into
the cables using the wrong equipment can be highly dangerous.
Most people in the past have just used an ordinary sling and
karabiner to clip into the cables, this is a static system and in
certain circumstances especially where a high fall factor is
involved can be highly dangerous, with the possibility of gear
failure. Fall factors greater than 2 can be loaded onto the
system, this is especially true where there is quite a distance
between anchor points.
Petzl have come up with a device called the ZYPER that can reduce
shock load on the system during a fall. The way it works is
simple; it is a two tailed lanyard with a karabiner at each end
and a metal energy absorber (ZYPER) in the middle. You clip the
ZYPER into your harness with a locking karabiner and then use the
lanyards as you normally would while moving along, always having
one tail clipped at all times. It is important to only have one
side clipped while moving along the cables as the ZYPER absorbs
energy by allowing one side of the lanyard to slide through the
metal device in the event of a fall, thereby reducing the shock
load on the gear and yourself. A very simple idea but one which
could save your life. The retail price is £24.00 and the ZYPER
is available to order from most outdoor shops.
On the 29th of June the 29th Welsh 1000m Peaks Race was held,
this involves running or walking - depending on which category
you enter - from Aber to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. Four members of
Clwb Mynydda Bethesda entered as a team in the Mountaineering
section and did very well. I was involved in marshaling at the
start and was there to see the intrepid four on their way, they
were: John Moriarty, Mick Ward, Garri Hughes and Iolo Jones. It
was a lovely sunny day, not the kind of weather the Team had
hoped for as a cloudy day would have suited them better as they
have a good knowledge of the local mountains.
Here are their results:
Position Time
8th - John Moriarty 06:47:50
14th - Mick Ward 07:14:57
34th - Garri Hughes 08:03:15
60th - Iolo Jones 09:37:21
They also came third in the Team results with a time of 22:06:02.
The winner in this category was Mark Mussa in 05:37:20. The
reason Iolo was lowly placed was that because he had won last
year, he was given a heavy time penalty!
The winner in the Fell Race was Gavin Bland with a blistering
time of 03:27:20.
It's that time of year again. Scotland here we come. Midges to
the left of us, rain to the right of us but on we go, our blue
and yellow canoes strapped to the roof of the car – shining
like a beacon – the Armstrongs are on their way! Glen Coe,
Glen Shiel and Torridon are our bases. The "Buckle"
beckons as we round the corner from Rannoch Moor. We have waited
all year for that sight. A definite must for Linda as she can't
wait to tackle the scree gully! Fine weather greets our first
morning and a quick paddle around Loch Leven before lunch and
then the duo of Buachaille Etive Beag (Stob Dubh and Stob Coire
Raineach). Not to be disappointed, the midges take their first
bites but who cares when the beer is flowing in the Clachaig and
the Glen Coe malt is on tap! No time before new friendships are
made. On we go to Glen Shiel and our perfect b & b at
Rattagan, sitting right on the loch-side. Raining – but
don't despair, the scallops are even bigger this year at the Port
Bahn Restaurant. Unfortunately, no chance of the Forcan Ridge in
this weather. Never mind, we'll catch you on the way back.
Onward then to Torridon and a wonderful welcome from Mo, our
landlady and friend of many years. Ted, the terrier, seems
pleased to see us and, on cue, the pine martin pops down for his
tea of jam sandwiches. An evening of excellent food and wine
supplied by Mo (all donations gratefully received for the
Torridon Mountain Rescue Fund), good company with old friends and
lots of juicy gossip. What a night but still up fresh and raring
to go in the morning of glorious sunshine. Beinn Alligin for the
second time but, no matter, it is a wonderful mountain containing
2 Munros and interesting scrambles up and over the horns. The
views are magnificent – as far as the eye can see. Yes,
Scotland is a huge country. No wonder they call this the last
wilderness of Europe. For those venturing north, a little find
was our day on the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail. 'Trail' being a
little misleading as we had 2000' to climb up into the backwoods
of the national park but one felt the wildness of the
area in quite a surprising way. Again, the views across to the
Beinn Eighe ridge were amazing. A rest day was to follow with a
little canoeing on Loch Torridon. Beautiful day, calm and then 2
miles from home, the weather changed, the rain fell and
a hooley of a wind blew straight down from Liathach. The waves on
the loch deepened and it was every man (woman) for themselves.
Thank goodness for morning press-ups! The paddles were a blur as
they propelled us back to
safe harbour. Rest day over, we decided to tackle Maol
Chean-dearg . Just a 14 mile round trek with 3350' ascent of
climbing. Although we were disappointed to have just missed the
eagles which had just flown over the summit, we were
rewarded by the sight of ptarmigan just sitting at the side of
the scree path on which we were descending. They were quite
unperturbed by us and were probably feeling quite confident that
no-one could really see them camouflaged against the scree.
Onwards north again to Lochinver . Hoping to climb An Tellach on
the way, rain once again interfered and we had to make do with
sight of the eagle soaring through the glen at Dundonnel. As time
was running out, we turned south again and climbed that little
gem of Stac Pollaidh. Just a 4 hour walk, 1850' of climbing but
once on the top, quite a bit of very interesting
scrambling, so much so that Linda held back on the last section.
What a small world though, who should we meet up with but Pete
Richardson, formerly an instructor from Plas y Brenin, and now an
independent guide living in the south Lakes. He was introducing
his 6 years old son to the wonders of mountaineering and even
though the little boy was soaking wet at the end of
the walk, he was puffed up with pride, having achieved his climb
with his dad! Would the rain hold – could Skye offer a
challenge or two? The clouds were down on The Cuillin so it was
lovely to visit the seal colony again at Dunvegan and, yes, the
eagles were back and one chick was clearly visible sitting on the
edge of the nest. What a sight! The epitome of our Scottish
trips. A few disappointments on our climbing schedule but never
mind back to Glen Shiel – the forecast is good, the
barometer is steady and the Forcan Ridge is now a possibility. We
wake to a magnificent dawn over Loch Shiel and fortified by
another splendid Scottish breakfast, we start the ascent. A
deceiving little meander up the stalkers' path, then one is
stopped by the wall of rock towering up into the sky. Decision
time, do we go for the ridge or do we slope off round the
'chicken run'? No, upwards we go and although the sun shines, the
wind keeps up with persistent gusts to remind us to keep those
three points of contact. One final bad step bars our path –
sorry, but Linda goes for the 'chicken run' down the gully and
then up to the summit. Only a quick lunch today, as John has
Sgurr na Sgine in view. So, down to the Col and up again, finally
reaching the second Munro of the day. We are so lucky with our
days in the hills. The views are breathtaking once again. It is
hard to take it all in and certainly cannot be captured by any
photograph. Now for that long steep descent of Faochag "the
whelk". Oh, will it never end! 5,200' of climbing today,
distance of 10 miles. What a day – our rewards are to be
found back in the Port Bahn Restaurant – scallops for Linda
and Aberdeen Angus steak in whisky sauce for John, washed down
with a very acceptable bottle of Aussie wine followed by a few
drams. To crown it all, the sunset is perfect. A gold ball
resting on the horizon at the end of the loch. Howard , Eddie and
Huw will remember a similar experience last year.
Our holiday is nearly over. Nearly 3 weeks have passed but we
must finish where the holiday began, that is in Glen Coe. Our
last day and a sunny morning is forecast. Before long, Linda is
cursing her way up the steep scree gully (her pet hate). No
matter, after The Great Stone Shoot of Sgurr Alasdair, what can
be difficult! Anyway, despite an inflamed ankle tendon,
the summit is reached and with good intentions, we start the
ridge to the newly adopted Munro, Stob na Broige but the weather
was closing in and, in view of the ankle, Linda stayed at the Col
whilst John completed the last summit. To a tell a little story
at John's expense, as Linda sits eating her lunch, two young men
stop whom we had met on the first summit and one
said "excuse me, but I hope you don't mind me asking but
what do you feed your husband on for breakfast? He has just
passed us at a run, reached the summit and then dashed passed us
again." "Not bad for a retiree" was the reply.
"But you should see the other retirees in the club. John has
a job keeping up with them!"
Back home now, tired, bitten by midges but it was an excellent
holiday. We completed much of our itinerary but more than that,
we met up with old and new friends. May it long continue.
LINDA AND JOHN ARMSTRONG