LLANBERIS 22nd June 2025
It was an eventful return to Wales for the walkers from SFWC. Thoughts of an exhilerating challenge for some taking on Crib Goch were quickly banished.
Due to the deteriorating weather
forecast en route to Wales, the walk leaders were forced to re-assess the
routes that they would take. This resulted in all the groups resorting to plan ‘B’
and two of them avoiding the impressive but difficult ridge walk of Crib Goch.
Unfortunately as Geoff led his
group of five up to the Y Lliwedd ridge, as they reached the start along
the top Barry suffered a heavy fall in which he hit his head, cut his right
hand and bruised both legs and his hip.
The wind and rain had by then set
in and, assisted by Geoff and all his party, Barry was helped along the ridge.
They had passed the point where turning back was not a safe or wise option.
From then on they nursed him
round very slowly, until just before the summit when he was struggling badly
with a painful hip.
The whole party became thoroughly
soaked, and upon reaching the shelter of Snowdon's summit café he was attended
to by his party. They managed to dry him off with a towel bought from the cafe
shop, and Michelle even bought him a full set of new clothes!
Geoff tried to contact the
Mountain Rescue, but without a strong enough signal it was Neil who managed to
make contact, and informed them that Barry was clearly not going to be able to
safely descend. They told him that it would take approximately two hours for
them to reach the summit, and advised him to ask if transport down could be
made available via the railway maintenance train which was already near
the summit. The passenger trains were not running.
Geoff did this but was told that
they could not take passengers. However the mountain rescue leader contacted
the railway manager who authorised for Barry accompanied by Michelle, to travel
down to Llanberis on the train.
Geoff, Darren and Neil descended
on foot.
The whole group was safely back
at the coach by 5.50 pm. and the coach was able to begin the journey back home
at 6.05pm.
Although these types of accidents
are rare, they do on occasions happen. When they do it’s down to the leader and
the other Club members to manage the situation which Geoff and his group did
magnificently. Aided by a pragmatic approach by the Mountain Rescue and Snowdon
Mountain Railway, the whole episode is a great example of how to look after a
casualty, take care of and handle a mountain accident such as this.
The other walks were fortunately
less dramatic.
Paul’s group had a reasonable
start to the day but the wind got up whilst they were having lunch. It quickly
became stronger and very gusty as they climbed up from the Miners Path. With
the rain not helping, the conditions deteriorated into very strong, gusty winds
on the summit, very wet and unpleasant. On the return his group followed the
Llanberis Path back instead of the longer but (in better weather) more pleasant
Snowdon Ranger route.
To his surprise, John Gartside
found there were half a dozen members content to give Snowdon a miss and
instead follow him on a less frequented track up to the peak of Moel Eilio
(2382ft). This involved a circular route starting and finishing at Llanberis.
As height was gained the extent of the slate works on the opposite side of the
valley became apparent. At 1700ft and with the weather closing in, it was time
for waterproofs – and sandwiches. Onwards and upwards to the summit where the
group were thankful to have the stone shelter all to themselves. After a brief
respite, progress continued via a broad ridge to Foel Gron and Foel Goch, all
the while buffeted by high winds. There were fleeting glimpses of Llyn Cwellyn,
down to the right, with Mynydd Mawr beyond. Finally the cycle track was
reached, giving a quick and straightforward return.
The final walk saw the Oldhams also defer to the awful
weather forecast of 55mph winds and heavy rain, deciding that Crib Gogh was not
the place to be. They left the coach as
planned at Pen-y-pass but crossed the road and headed up to Glyder Fawr. They
took a steep ascent, straight up to the
peak where the full force of the weather hit them. As they walked on to Y Garn,
Foel-gogh and finally Elidir Fawr, they witnessed the magnificent views whilst
getting battered by the constant wind and rain. Although the weather was
disappointing, the ridge was just as exciting as always. Five soggy, yet oddly
satisfied walkers returned to the coach after completing a great 12.5 mile
and 4,800ft ascent.
Postscript: The great news is that Stuart spoke to Barry the following morning and he reported that, although being bruised and aching, he is otherwise ok.
As usual thanks to all of the photographers and contributors including Geoff, Michelle, Darren, Dave, Cris, Anne, Stuart, Dawn and Howie and to the Leaders for their accounts.
Open the Album by clicking HERENext Walks: *Next walk is Threlkeld and NOT Shap*
Sunday 6th July 2025 –Threlkeld via A66
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 40, A66 westbound and into Threlkeld. Park in Threlkeld at the Salutation Inn. Morning coffee stop at Tebay services.
Sunday 20th July 2025 – Shap via A6
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590, A6 through Kendal and on to Shap. Park in Shap. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 3rd August 2025 – Coniston via Ambleside
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to
junction 36, A590/A591 past Windermere to Ambleside, A593 to Coniston. Park in
Coniston. Morning coffee stop at Burton
services.
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