05-07 December – Christmas meet, Dinorwic, Snowdonia
Friday
Alan W and Gill went up a day early to escape the worst of the expected weather. We completed Great Mountain Days hike number 5, Conwy Mountain. It was quite an unexpected and delightful hike with lots of interest, starting with Britain’s smallest house in the lovely town of Conwy.
Once we got out of the town and onto our mountain route there were views all around, iron age hill forts, a small mountain pass and a couple of navigation tests. It was a great low-level hike, mostly avoiding the wind, and only getting soaked just before we entered the café for the essential post-hike coffee and the most delicious carrot cake. After drying off all over their floor we left the café and bought a few additional supplies, then returned to the hut to cook dinner and peel vegetables while we waited for the others. Sadly Alan M called and had unfortunately broken down on the way so was heading home after all.
Saturday
There were two parties braving the challenging MWIS forecast. Party One made a valiant attempt on Moel Siabod, planning to go as far as safely possible and then turn back. Party One was made up of Alan W, Juan, Nigel and Patryk (on his first club trip). They parked at Joe Browns and followed the direct path up through the woods. The wind sent them scurrying back to Plas Y Brenin for subsistence and then to Joe Browns for a bit of shopping on their way back to the car.
Party Two decided to avoid the high winds completely and hiked down to and around Llyn Padarn, via Pete’s Eats, which has now reopened and is back serving breakfast and brunch. Ange was delighted to find they are still serving a pint of tea, and two of us tried the Hash Brown Stack – looked amazing! Then we hiked back up the steep hill to the hut to cook Christmas dinner.
Christmas dinner was a success! We cooked the turkey “low and slow” and it was delicious. We all took turns peeling, chopping, testing, serving, clearing and washing up. Not too much wine was consumed, I don’t remember any hangovers the next morning which I believe is a new club record.
Sunday
On Sunday morning we made good use of all the leftovers, the only consideration was that more should be cooked next time! We had bubble and squeak with leftover potatoes and veg, served with scrambled egg and baked beans. Delicious!
The high winds and rain continued and we all decided to head home nursing our wet boots from the day before. Ivona and Jason headed back to Gloucestershire. The rest of the group headed into Betws Y Coed for some shopping and a coffee. We visited Caffi-Y-Pair next door to Rohan on the main A5 (right hand side heading back towards MK just before the Spar). Enjoyed a snack and another piece of carrot cake (Gill found it difficult to choose between the two carrot cakes sampled on this trip). Ange bought some new trousers and Alan went cake shopping in the Spar. Altogether a very nice stopover on our way home.
So, a lot of this trip report was about food and shopping, which are always good options when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Despite the best attempts of a named storm and amber weather warnings we all had a great time.
Great trip and some quality climbs. And some extensive abseil practise!