LLN: 26-29 MAY - SNOWDONIA - LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY - CAPEL CURIG

Spend the Late May Bank Holiday weekend scrambling and hiking in Snowdonia.

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SATURDAY - SCRAMBLING/HIKING - TRYFAN & GLYDDERS

This is a hard scramble and ridge walk of 8 miles. There is a drop out point at the end of Tryfan, cutting the route to 5 miles. However, this is a tough day not for the faint-hearted.

a) TRYFAN NORTH RIDGE - Grade 1 scramble - we will ascend from left to right up the ridge in the photo below to the summit (917 m). The ascent takes 3 to 4 hours. It is steep right from the start. The descent (to the right of the photo) takes 2 to 3 hours. Total time 6-7 hours.

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b) GLYDDERS RIDGE - if chosing this extra option, after descending Tryfan, we must climb another hour to the Glydders ridge. Straight away we will get a photo opportunity at the Glydder Fach (994 m) balance stone (see photo below). We then will walk one hour along the broad ridge. We will pass through Glydder Fawr's castles of rock (1001 m), before descending for another hour. Total time including Tryfan is 9-10 hours.

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The final point at the end of the walk has a tea/cake hut with toilets. We then head home for dinner.

SUNDAY - SCRAMBLING/HIKING - SNOWDON & CRIB GOCH

We will ascend Snowdon the hard way, weather permitting. The walk begins from Pen y Pas on the Miner's Track. Then as we reach the shoulder of the Snowdon Horseshoe, we leave the Miner's path to scramble steeply up to the start of the infamous Crib Goch knife edge ridge (see photo below).

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If you are less comfortable with the exposure on a ridge, or if you have overdone it on the mountain the day before, you can continue on the Miner's Track and linger longer on the Snowdon summit (1085 m). The Crib Goch group will be about an hour and a half behind you. See photo below of a group gathering on Snowdon's summit.

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Toilets and coffee/tea are available at the often crowded Snowdon summit restaurant. If there is too much snow on the summit these facilities will not be open. If there is time and energy, we will then complete the Snowdon Horseshoe in another 3 to 4 hours. Otherwise we will descend on the Miner's track in 2 hours. The total route is 10 miles and again, a tough day out.

HISTORY - EVEREST TRIPS

The first successful ascent on Everest in 1953 was planned at a hotel near the foot of Snowdon. If there is time, we will visit the bar of this hotel for a drink on Sunday. There is a ceiling panel signed by Tenzing Norgay, Edmund Hillary and the rest of the team. Other Everest memorabilia are also on display.

MONDAY - MOUNTAIN BIKING/ORIENTEERING/GARDEN VISIT

There are several options for Monday, depending on the weather and the group's interests, and of course, the plans of your car driver. These generally are centred on Betws y Coed, 5 miles to the east of Capel Curig, which is on our way home.

You can choose to go mountain biking on the Marin Trail in Betws y Coed. This is a 18-mile circuit through pine forests with stunning views, steep descents and optional jumps. Allow 4 hours. It's really exciting but lots of climbing is required, especially to get to the start. Bike hire is available in Betws y Coed. Please advise if you want to do this so we can book the bikes in advance.

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Or how about testing your navigation skills? In groups of 3 or 4, we can use special maps to find checkpoints in the forest and around a lake near Betws. The route is about 5 miles and gives some of the best views of the Snowdonia massif. A gentle walk in this area would also be a good option.

If you want to chill out entirely, there is a steam railway in Betws and several gear shops. Another option on a sunny day is to drive 10-miles north of Betws to Bodnant Gardens (National Trust), certainly one of the prettiest gardens in the UK.

CLIMBING OPTION FOR EARLY BOOKERS

A climbing instructor can be arranged for you on either Saturday or Sunday for an extra £100. You must book and pay for this before the end of February. This is a good option for those who already have some experience in indoor wall climbing and now want to venture outdoors.

FOOD

Soup (vegetarian) will be provided on Friday night - we will cook this ourselves, so all help is appreciated. Dinner will be provided on Saturday and Sunday nights. Breakfast will be provided each morning. Packed lunches will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. Monday lunch will be in a tea shop or pub in Betws y Coed or at a National Trust garden.

Please bring extra energy snacks, such as nuts and dried fruit.

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Saturday on Tryfan is a tough start to the weekend so you'll need to be fit.

The proposed Crib Goch route on Sunday is not suitable for people with vertigo or in wet or windy conditions.

If you have aching joints after Day 1 on Tryfan, the Snowdon Mountain Railway at £29 return will take you up to the summit. It is best to book this online before your journey to book your departure time. To get to the railway will need to take a bus to Llanberis. You would have to hang around at the summit restaurant for two hours or so to meet the rest of the group. Perhaps take a sketch pad?!

Please note that all walking routes are dependent on the weather and people's abilities. Alternative routes will be adopted in the case of adverse weather conditions.

There is always a risk of twisting ankles or slipping in mountainous terrain, so please ensure you bring walking boots or walking shoes with "rigid" soles and good grip. You will be responsible for your own safety.

Also consider knee/ankle supports and walking poles to prevent leg joints giving way on the descents.

You must also be sufficiently fit to climb a mountain. An 8-mile mountain walk is equivalent to at least a 16-mile walk on the flat.

Walks will be led by a trained Mountain Leader and Outdoor First Aider.

ACCOMMODATION

We will stay at Capel Curig, 6 km from both Snowdon and Tryfan. It is set in a beautiful, remote and unpopulated valley, 15 minutes from the nearest town at Betws y Coed.

Capel Curig does boast two mountain equipment shops, a small grocery store, a cafe and one or two pubs scattered along the main road. And our accommodation has its own bar with beautiful views over a lake.

We also have access to a good-sized climbing wall free for our use.

COST

£175 to be paid by bank transfer (with £20 non-refundable deposit now and balance by end of March). Bank details will be sent to allow balance transfers.

Cost includes: Accommodation, Guided Walks, 3 Breakfasts, 2 Packed Lunches, 2 Evening Meals, free access to climbing wall.

Cost excludes: Monday Lunch, Friday Lunch, Friday Evening Meal

TRANSPORT

We will share private cars to travel to Snowdonia from London, so if you are able to drive, please could you offer a place in your car on the message boards below this event. Petrol costs will be shared amongst passengers at a price set by the driver.

We will drive 5 minutes to Tryfan on Saturday.

CAR PARKING

Free car parking is available at our accommodation.

On Saturday, we will drive to Tryfan. But on Sunday, we will take the Sherpa bus 10 minutes to Snowdon to avoid the car parking problems in Pen y Pas. You will need £1 for the bus each way.

EQUIPMENT

Your safety and enjoyment of the weekend depends on you being properly equiped for all weather conditions.

Please bring:

• walking boots or walking shoes

• waterproofs (jacket and trousers)

• woolly hat, gloves, fleece

• 2 x 1 litre water bottles

• water

• day sack - 15-25 litres backpack, with waterproof lining bag or cover

• whistle, compass, map for safety

• sun cream and sunglasses

• snacks

• mobile phone and charger - there is very little mobile reception across most of Snowdonia, as it is reserved for emergency calls

• walking stick(s) - if you need

• knee support straps - if you might need these, please use them on Day 1 as a preventative measure to allow your legs to strengthen, rather than as a treatment after a knee injury is sustained on the descent of Tryfan

• painkillers?

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London Loves Nature (London Loves Mountains) has a legal obligation to comply with The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations Act 1992.