| I have recently got back from a 4th July long | | | | than 'winter' in waterproofs, made us rethink the day. (If |
| weekend; hiking in the Snowdonia National Park of | | | | you are interested check out the video on YouTube) |
| North Wales, UK. A good couple of days walking and | | | | We all got back down and enjoyed a hot drink and |
| scrambling in the Welsh mountains, 'hills' depending on | | | | spoke about what had been learnt in the Pen-y-Pass |
| your point of view and experience. Whatever, hills or | | | | café; wet and a bit cold but other than that no |
| mountains, we certainly experienced some very | | | | problems. |
| contrasting weather conditions. | | | | Not to be too melodramatic, but if we had 'pushed on' |
| Day one was bright and sunny with most of the group | | | | and continued with our original plan to get to the top of |
| in shorts for the day. Our 'peak' was the top of Tryfan | | | | Snowdon (1085m/3560ft) the outcome could have |
| (915m/3002ft) a bit of a ridge scramble. At the top are | | | | been very different. |
| two 'classic' rocks called Adam and Eve, the trick is to | | | | As a group 'leader' I'm always considering the changing |
| jump from one to the other, a distance of about 4 | | | | situation. How people are feeling? How fast are we |
| feet. Only 4 feet I hear you say; well the 500foot drop | | | | moving? What is happening with the weather? What |
| on one side may be why I left the jumping across 'for | | | | are the conditions underfoot like? These observations |
| the birds.' | | | | together with knowledge and experience i.e. it gets |
| The weather conditions on day two were a pretty | | | | colder and the wind speed increases as you climb plus |
| amazing contrast with torrential rain and winds gusting | | | | having done the route before. All these factors and |
| to over 40mph; our planned trek up Mount Snowdon | | | | changes go towards making a decision. If you were by |
| did not get very far! Less than a mile up the track we | | | | yourself you might 'push on' regardless; on the other |
| decided it was a better plan to turn around and go | | | | hand, when you have responsibility for the group, team |
| back down to the café! Howling winds, heavy | | | | or organisation, many other factors come into play. |
| rain and people more prepared for summer in shorts | | | | |