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There’s nothing like the great outdoors to shake off the cobwebs. I decided to give myself a break and do something i’ve always wanted to do since i read about it, wild camp up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). It’s not the most remote place in the world with restaurant every mile or so and a big one at the top (which was a hotel back at the end of the 19th century when the Snowdon Mountain Railway was built). I figure that if something goes wrong i’ll have the easiest walk out ever without any hope of getting lost on a track that’s only missing the cats eyes and white lines to turn it into a motorway.

Anyway i digress…

Spent most of the day around Betws-y-coed outdoor shops and the Llanberis pass which is home to some of the best bouldering in the world. Set off about 6pm up the Llanberis path up Snowdon. Greeted by many a weary tourist looking to climb the highest mountain in wales with jeans, trainers and a can of Coke. Many of which helpfully told me I was going the wrong way for this time of night. Thanks! It took about three and a half hours to walk to my pitch which was just under Clogwyn Du’r Arddu (or cloggy to most people), on the shores of Llyn du’r Arddu which is a small lake which the copper miners used to clean their copper ore (which makes it a very spooky green).

All was going well when i pitched up at 10pm. Got in my tent, brewed up and made some pasta in my trusty Jetboil, took a few pics and got settled down for the night. This is where it gets interesting… at about 2:30am i woke to find my tent in my face. The wind had changed direction overnight and where once my tent was nessled behind a large boulder, end on to the wind, it was now getting everything side on. The guy gave and the middle pole of my Hilleberg snapped and went through the tent fabric. This does not make for a good nights sleep! I made the call and packed up. Everything stuffed in my sac and ready for a long walk down at 3am! It took about one and a half hours to walk out in complete blackness, with only the distant sight of MRT people scouring a neighboring hill for a lost traveller. I’m certain i saw a ufo on the top of Snowdon but it was probably nothing

I did plan to take many pics from the top in the morning. This never happened and i’ll i managed to get is a picture of my pasta in the Jetboil! I might share that with you one day!

I also purchased the Edelrid Live wire 9.8mm. Only used it at the wall for the moment but you do notice how much thinner it is compared to the standard 10 or 11mm ones they use.

I mean the most important thing really is how good it looks in blue.

I’ve spent many an evening at the Leeds climbing wall and the odd day out at the crag. Well I thought it about time to invest a little more in the hobby i love. Here are the begininings of my climbing rack.

I’ve heard pros and cons about the use of cordelettes but at the price they are compared to the cost of static ropes and the skill involved in equalising at the top so I thought what the heck.

With regards to passive protection there seems to be many and varied opinion out there on what’s the best and worst and good for this & that. I’m new to all this so i really don’t see much point in trying to second guess what’s good or bad. It’s all going to work to an extent and when i’m more experienced i can start making a call on my preferences.

For now I’ve gone with a 3-9 set of rockcentric hexes

Apparently these are the lightest on the market. Anything which means I have less to carry has to be a bonus surely?