A white Tryfan

[caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="Sunrise over Capel Curig"][/caption]

I woke around 5.30am for breakfast and the usual morning routine, anyone who knows ulcerative colitis will know what that consists of. Anyway, I had breakfast with what looked like cloud covering the surrounding mountain tops, great I thought, a distinct lack of view. As the sun started to rise it appeared we had a sprinkling of the white stuff on the higher ground, this made the day a little more interesting.

[caption id="attachment_114" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pen Yr Ole Wen"][/caption]

After a few photos of the valley, sunrise and white topped mountains we headed of to the layby, one of the first to arrive at the base of Tryfan that day, Very doubtful to be the first to the summit though.

We didn't exactly have a planned route up to the top, just whatever looked interesting and took our fancy. This proved to be a good plan, and tested my confidence and climbing abilities(virtually non existent) to the limit. I swear there were a couple of moments where I was close to taking the quick (unintentional) route down the mountain.

[caption id="attachment_124" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Looking North form halfway point."][/caption]

 

The snow and ice made the going pretty tough in places but alot of fun too. We seemed to hit a band of cloud three quarters of the way up but once on top the view was, again, fantastic. Clear blue skies greeted us, temperature was ok but a jumping Adam and Eve was out of the question, just a tad icey on top would of made for an interesting landing.

[caption id="attachment_125" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="No leaping today, way to icy on top!"][/caption]

After a short stop and chat to other folks lucky enough to enjoy the summit that day we headed over Far South Peak of Tryfan and worked our way down the valley passed Llyn Bochlwyd passing some stunning waterfalls and features on the way down. Once back at the van it was a quick change out of the soggy cold clothes, make a fresh cuppa and fill the flask with hot water for the journey home.

Well I enjoyed my first bit of scrambling and climbing in snowy conditions, I've hiked/walked in snowy conditions many a time but this was so much fun.

Lets just say it's the tip of the iceberg, literally.

What a weekend!

Pre op clamber

Snowdon and Tryfan, November 2010.

Chris has joined me on a trip up Snowdonia before the big day.

I picked Chris up at Chiverton around 6pm on the 5th November and we drove on upto Pen-Y-Pas, arriving to a wet and windy carpark around 1230am Saturday morning.

We decided to kip in the van rather than mess around finding a campsite, the front seats of the van proved to be quite comfortable, except for the handbrake. Not to sure how Chris faired in the back of the van though.




We woke around 6am with the weather a great improvement. The plan was to navigate the the Snowdon Horseshoe, however we left the options open to reach Yr Wyddfa and head down if needs be. This proved to be a good idea. The weather was good, couldn't really of asked for better conditions. The sun was out, next to no wind and temperature was good. Shame that my fitness wasn't good!

We made our way up the Pyg Track to Crib junction where we took a right and headed up to Crib Goch. The climb up was fun
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy scrambling and climbing. I had also forgotten what the view was like once on the top.

After a relaxed scramble (crawl) along Crib Goch we decided to end to day with a summit of Snowdon and a wander down the Pyg Track, neither of us wanted to over do it and ruin the climb up Tryfan on Sunday.


We headed down to the van, which I must admit was a very welcome site! I was shattered! We headed over toward Tryfan in search for the campsite, Gwern Gof Isaf Farm. A nice little site very close to Tryfan, hot showers (which were very welcome), bunkhouses and lots of tent space.



After a shower hot food and a beer, with the rain tapping on the tent I finally hit the hay around 9pm.

Pre op clamber

Snowdon and Tryfan, November 2010.

Chris has joined me on a trip up Snowdonia before the big day.

I picked Chris up at Chiverton around 6pm on the 5th November and we drove on upto Pen-Y-Pas, arriving to a wet and windy carpark around 1230am Saturday morning. We decided to kip in the van rather than mess around finding a campsite, the front seats of the van proved to be quite comfortable, except for the handbrake. Not to sure how Chris faired in the back of the van though.










We woke around 6am with the weather a great improvement. The plan was to navigate the the Snowdon Horseshoe, however we left the options open to reach Yr Wyddfa and head down if needs be. This proved to be a good idea. The weather was good, couldn't really of asked for better conditions. The sun was out, next to no wind and temperature was good. Shame that my fitness wasn't good!









We made our way up the Pyg Track to Crib junction where we took a right and headed up to Crib Goch. The climb up was fun
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy scrambling and climbing. I had also forgotten what the view was like once on the top.










After a relaxed scramble (crawl) along Crib Goch we decided to end to day with a summit of Snowdon and a wander down the Pyg Track, neither of us wanted to over do it and ruin the climb up Tryfan on Sunday.



We headed down to the van, which I must admit was a very welcome site! I was shattered! We headed over toward Tryfan in search for the campsite, Gwern Gof Isaf Farm. A nice little site very close to Tryfan, hot showers (which were very welcome), bunkhouses and lots of tent space.





After a shower hot food and a beer, with the rain tapping on the tent I finally hit the hay around 9pm.

Catch up time

Looks like I have some catch up to do, I think possibly due to the state of my mind and distinct lack of enthusiasm I haven't posted much for a good few months

The thought of the meds not working and probability of major surgery becoming a reality is kind of, for want of a better word, depressing me.

But must be strong and face facts that I am to part company with my dearly beloved colon, these things happen and I suppose there are worse things in life.

Well, thats enough misery, time to start blogging!