The weekend started with a very wet drive up to Wales, looking on with trepidation at the rising water levels in various fields as we progressed along the A5. However, Storm Babet or not, the group set out on Saturday, waterproofed up to explore routes within the Ogwen
Valley. The very spacious and well kitted out hut (courtesy of Midland Association of Mountaineers) provided access straight onto some very big and well known hills of Snowdonia (including Tryfan although nobody seemed keen to take on it’s stony might on such a wet and gloomy day).
I joined a walk lead by Jim Nevill encompassing various Carnedd hills (Pen Yr Ole Wyn, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewlyn and Pen yr Helgi Du). This is a route I’ve tried previously, ascending from glorious sunshine in the valley to impenetrable fog at the top, howling gales and below freezing temperatures. Happily (or not so), the weather was pretty much the same on this attempt with extra added rain and no sunshine in the valley below. The views on a sunny day would be marvellous as the route takes you through various ridge paths that span between the mountains. Sadly, we were not blessed with any sight of these (although it always gives a reason to return). Despite the weather, the group bravely completed the entire route including some rather fun scrambling (a little bit too much on the wet and slippery side for my comfort).
Elsewhere, David Watts lead a smaller team along a route across the valley, going up through Devils Kitchen onto Y Garn. Various members took a full measure of the weather and cut the route short, opting for low level options (and apparently also escaping off to the warmth of a pub in Bets Y Coed).
We were grateful for plentiful hot water for showers, a large and efficient drying room and the comforts of the very warm and dry bunkhouse later on that day. Additionally, the food was excellent, cooked by various IBEX members and requiring visits for seconds to restock energy supplies after battling an autumnal Wales. The rain was gone by Sunday and we awoke to bright blue skies and sunshine. Various options were discussed and then the group unilaterally signed up for a walk lead by Catriona up to Moel Siabod, handy for the drive home and also nicely varied with waterfalls to admire at the start (cunningly tucked underneath the A5) and then lakes, abandoned slate mines leading to the main part of the mountain. Sadly, time was against us and we decided against taking the scramble to the summit, feeling it would elongate the day too much for the long drive back. However, we enjoyed lunch together with the rocky tops of Mol Siabod towering over us and then made for the ride home.
Many thanks to Jim and Viv for organising the weekend and also enabling us to use the lovely MAM bunkhouse. The meals were fantastic and much appreciation to everyone who contributed.
Marianne Bolton