The time spent honing axes and crampons to razor like levels of sharpness, was not time well spent. The time should have gone in to reproofing water proofs. Or looking at the weather forecasts.
The only water ice I was going to find was in the back of the f##king fridge.
It was with little enthusiasm, well at least on my part, that we set off to do the north ridge of Tryfan. It was decided upon so that we would see how the newbies took to wet/windy scrambling before setting off on anything more adventurous.
The pace was mixed, we soon split up in two groups. The scrambling was wet and slippy but never felt edgy.
We soon found ourselves under Adam and Eve, a quick lunch stop and we were off again. The next objective Bristly Ridge.
The decent was hard on the joints, but uneventful.
At the start of Bristly the group split again, our numbers now down to four. The weather was now getting grim, with strong gusts of wind making me a little nervous.
Due to the cold weather, I needed to keep moving. With the ridge over I hunkered down next to a boulder and waited for the others.
Alan soon appeared out of the clag. From where I was crouched he seemed to be trying his hardest to turn a grade 1 scramble into a VS climb.
With all present, we discussed what to do next. Alex was keen for more adventure.
My appetite was sated, standing up was now difficult, the wind unrelenting.
Many hours and much trudging later…
The food was excellent, the quiche the best that I have had. The cherry vodka top notch. The table traversing a bit tight.
Thanks to all who shopped, peeled, cooked and washed up.

Sunday the weather was still typical Wales.
Due to trashed elbows the Beacon was out of the question, so more wet scrambling was in order.
Pearson’s Arete seemed like a good idea in the hut. The walk in was considerably longer than I remembered, and steeper.
The rock was very polished in places and I am sure one member of the party wishes to forget the chimney near the end. The less said the better.
The summit was seriously windy and myself and Graham both got blown over descending the Pyg track.

All in all a excellent weekend, with a great turn out.
See you all next year!
Gary