I was in the UK for a bunch of things for the last couple of weeks, one of which was my SPA assessment which I’m pleased to say I passed with the excellent (as usual) Phil George. I had some time over the weekend to go out with a group from the Walking Forum website in Snowdonia. I think one plan had been to use the common and busy track up from Pen Y Pass but someone had the idea of using the Rhyd Ddu track instead which suited me well as I was staying at the Oread Mountaineering Club hut just at the start of the track.

It’s a good track and a lot less busy than any of the others so although we saw people on the way up it wasn’t excessive.

Once of the younger members of our group above just near the top wrapped up against the chill breeze just at the summit and a crowded summit. I found the summit unpleasant, less for the crowds and more for the general hygiene, I’ve been up there a few times in the last year or two and been appalled by this, I can’t face eating my lunch there and I need to wash my hands as soon as we’re clear of the crowds.

We took the less used track down towards Y Aran, we were the only people who followed this all the way to Rhyd Ddu so it was really, really pleasant.

xxx

I was over in North Wales for an SPA training with Phil George, despite being certain of rain it was actually great weather and we had a great couple of days. Phil is a great teacher, he’s an IFMGA guide and really knowledgeable and enthusiastic on all everything mountaineering and climbing. After the first day out me and the other two guys decided to go climbing up in Bus Stop Quarry, this is on the HVS Solstice which I think Phil did the first ascent of in the mid-eighties, my old guide has that I repeated in 1987 which sounds about right.


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