Day 1 - One down... two to go !

It would appear that our decision to remain in port and not to venture out into the Irish Sea was the right one... Force 6's and 7's were experienced there today with gust exceeding 40 knots.

To take full advantage of the dry weather and clear visibility we tackled Snowdon today. Clearly a popular past time on a Bank Holiday weekend as we joined a long line of climbers attemping the summit. We struggled to park at Pen-y-pass as the carpark was full, but did manage to find a piece of verge, just big enough for the Audi despite the 'Dim Parcio' signs... really must learn some Welsh !

As we started our climb it became clear that we would be part of a human procession to the summit - Hundreds of people were strung out in front of us - in a spectacle not dissimilar to an ancient pilgrimage. Pen-y-pass is a popular starting point as it gives climbers the option of taking the easier route (Miners' track) or the more direct and challenging Pyg track, which was to be our route today...

The Pyg track climbs steadily, as it traverses the side of Crib Goch, and offers some stunning views of Llyn Llydaw (reservoir) and the smaller of the lakes - Glaslyn. We set off at a very steady pace as we were passed by many youthful and eager day climbers. Our pace was to reward us some 30-40 minutes later as we started to pass the 'pace setters' who had clearly underestimated the climb.

For most of the climb the summit of Snowdon is clearly visible ahead, which proved a great motivator as we picked up our pace and found our climbing rhythm. As we traversed the upper slopes of Crib y Ddysgl we were just in shirt sleeves due to the physical exertion, but the wind was now more prevalent. Our stops (for a breather) were kept short, as our body temperatures dropped quickly in the blustery conditions. The wind was extreme as we joined the Llanberis path for the final push to the summit. At an exposed part of the final ridge the wind was howling up the ravine below with such force that we struggled to stay on our feet as we pushed on through a maelstrom of dust and grit thrown up by the freshening easterly gale.

The final climb to the summit is easy (almost pedestrian) as it follows the path of the mountain railway. The excitement and feeling of achievement was diluted slightly as we jostled with perhaps 50 or 60 other people to stand on the summit itself. I have to say however that my hat comes off to the 8 or so wheelchair climbers who arrived at the summit as we did. The Snowdon Push in aid of the Backup Trust was clearly well planned and executed and hopefully raised substantial funds for this worthy cause. It's the first time I've put money in a collecting tin at the top of a mountain!!!

We took the same route down the mountain, as we needed to be reunited with my precariously parked car... the route down was straight forward enough but punctuated with periods of inactivity as we waited for the hordes of climbers still coming up the Pyg Track. As we lost altitude and neared the end of our descent there were still people starting their climb. I have to say that some of the people we passed on our way down were clearly not adequately equipped nor apparently physically capable of the climb - so we had to assume they were just out for a short walk...

We got back to the car at 1.35pm some 3.5 hrs after we had set off... a little out of breathe perhaps, very hot and a little wind & sunburnt. One down, two to go !!

We are staying aboard Stray Cat tonight and have a long drive to Fort William in the morning, ready to attempt Ben Nevis on Monday.

For those of you watching our progress.. good night and we'll blog tomorrow night.

Tim