On Friday 2nd September, Nickie Purewal and I set off for Snowdon. We arrived at the lovely campsite at approximately half past three in the afternoon. We were camping right on the edge of the Lake of Llyn Cwellyn. So far the weather was good. Light winds, some low cloud and a little sunshine shining through.
At approximately 10:00pm the heavens opened. Throughout the night we didn't get much sleep at all. The rain got heavier and heavier and the winds picked up to the point that I had visions of the tent being blown away into the Lake with Nickie and I still trapped inside. Drifting in and out of sleep, I kept repeating the same words inside my head. "Please, Please let the weather be settled for the morning"
After an horrendous night, we woke early to the disappointment the rain hammering heavily down onto the tent and the wind blowing it this way and that. Quickly getting dressed and putting on our waterproofs, we ventured outside. The rain and wind wasn't half as bad as it had sounded whilst in the tent, but it was very very dismal.
After a quick breakfast, without the wind and rain putting us off, we set off on our Life-Climb up Snowdon.
We laughed, giggled like little school girls and sang mountain songs such as; ain’t no mountain high enough and the only way is up as we walked further and further up the mountain, and at one point started to make up our own songs. We had gotten to about quarter of the way up when the weather started to turn against us even more. The winds were getting stronger and the rain was getting heavier. The going was rough, we stopped every so often to catch our breaths and to take in what view we could see through the low cloud and mist. Nickie and I were still in good spirit, and of course to take make the most of any photo opportunities.
Half way up 'Yeah' we came across a rock formation that when sat behind shielded us from the galeing winds and decided to make the most of the moment and poor ourselves a nice hot cup of coffee (you didn't think we would have gone up their without any supplies now did you).
The weather was getting worse, and the amount of people that we came across on their way down was becoming a bit disturbing. Not one of them had made it to the summit; the weather had turned them all back down. One couple I wasn't surprised as they were not properly dressed at all; Jeans, Sweats and Trainers. Even though everyone was turning back, Nickie and I were still in good spirits and carried on upward. The ground eventually changed to rough rock. As we got higher the winds grew stronger, catching our breath as it gushed at us face on. I was relieved that the winds were not blowing in the opposite direction as they were becoming that strong, it could have made it very dangerous to the point of actually being blown off the mountain. At three Quarters of the way up, Nickie and I were either scrambling or climbing up rock formations. The incline was getting steeper and steeper and the weather was getting worse by the second. We were being blown about, we were soaking wet and on top of that we were now getting bombarded by hale stone that were being driven hard into our faces by the oncoming winds. I was breathing that heavy that I got a little twinge of pain around my chest. Remembering what the lung doctor told me and the promises that I had made to everyone of taking it easy, I told Nickie that I thought I should rest for a little while.
The trek now was getting really rough and made even harder by the now gale force winds. It was the thought of how far we had come and that we were now almost there that was keeping us going. With every two steps forward the winds were driving us back one, but still Nickie and I plodded on.
I was now stopping after every couple of steps to catch my breath and each time Nickie checking that I was OK .We came across a couple who were coming down the mountain who advised us to turn back due to the winds reaching up to 60 miles an hour and was getting worse. Nickie and I just stood there not knowing whether to take their advice or not. We had a six foot ridge to cross soon which had vertical drops to either side thinking of this made me realise that it would be too dangerous to cross it in these winds and so very very disappointed, Nickie and I turned back. We were just half an hour away from reaching the summit and as you can imagine we were both very disappointed. I was gutted and will openly admit that I shed a few tears. on the way down. Nickie was great and reassured me that I had made the right decision.
The pathway on the way down had turned into a flowing stream, making it difficult to find our footings but after a couple of hours we were back down and rushing to get our wet clothes off. Driving off in the car with the heater turned on full, we drove to find the pub for a nice drink of hot chocolate with a measure of Bailey's. The day turned out to be even more disastrous as when we pulled into the campsite car park, Nickie's back wheel caught the edge of a boulder and yup 'Bang' it blew the whole tyre out. The day didn't finish their either; our spare warm clothes had gotten drenched in our rucksacks.. So much for the water proofs, the rain was so heavy; nothing was going to keep it out. Huddled round the little gas stove in the tent and lots of hot cuppa's, Nickie and I snuggled into our sleeping bags to try and keep warm. This seemed to be an impossible task. We shivered all night.
Can you believe the weather, Sunday morning we woke to glorious sunshine; we could even see the summit of Snowdon from our campsite. To make things even more laughable, we could have had a nice warm evening, in nice warm dry clothes if we had bothered to check in the washroom. Cos right there as soon as you walk in the door way were three large tumble driers costing just £1 to use. Now that just has to be a big kick in the teeth.
After the tent and camping gear was all packed away and loaded into the car, we set off for home. What about the Tyre? That got fixed last night by a nice gentleman on the campsite. Campers are such friendly people, let’s face it, you wouldn't go out and not lock your doors would you, but that is exactly what you do when you go camping, and yet to date 'touch wood' nothing has ever gone missing.
We made the most of the sunshine and the lovely scenery by pulling over lots and making the most of the scenery and photo opportunities.
We may have not made it up to the Summit of Snowdon, but as the saying goes; try and try again until you succeed' and that is exactly what we are going to do.
