MMC North Wales Meet Report June 2001

THE CLIMBERS - Saturday dawned wet. For some inexplicable reason, Mark W, David Dees, Mark K and Andy E drove to Tremadoc in the belief that it might be drier even though it is only a couple of miles from the campsite. This decision was made all the more inexplicable by the fact that they all knew that they really wanted to go to Gogarth on Angelsey for any hope of dry rock. Well, it was equally wet at Tremadoc, and they couldn't even get in to Eric's Cafe, so it was off to Angelsey, closely followed in convoy by Nick, Clare, Tom, Catherine, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all his mates. They arrived just in time for lunch at the cliff top cafe, to find Gogarth thoroughly shrouded in fog. They decided, owing to the inclement weather, to climb on the prominent Holyhead Mountain crags. Despite the facts that these crags can normally be seen for miles and that Andy had has been to Angelsey on countless previous occasions, they only just managed to find them! Completely invisible from the path they only located them by the gentle tinkling of climbing gear in the fog. Unfortunately, the fact that it never rains on Gogarth is now well known , so the place was packed. There was so much gear strewn about that one area of the crag looked like the scene of an air crash (the Chamonix to Zermatt climbers' shuttle service). Mark W and Andy climbed See Emily Play (HVS), plus a couple of other routes. Mark K climbed with Dither on Cursing (VS 4c) and Tension (VS 4b).

Meanwhile, Dean and Debbie took Debbie's Dad climbing on Grooved Arete HVD at Tryfan. It was his first climb and he was 60 the following day (was it the route that aged him? - Ed.). Rick and Nicki came up on Saturday morning and did Lightening Visit (VS 4c) at Carreg Alltrem before being drizzled off and heading for the Great Orme, which was basking in the rain shadow. The best route was The Really Exciting Climb (VS 4c) led by Nicki. They didn't get to the campsite 'till nearly 11pm, so all they saw was a pissed Mark Winfield and Krusher coming back from the pub.

On Sunday Rick and Nicky went back to the Great Orme in search of dry rock where amongst other things they did Space Invaders (E2 5b). They resisted the temptation of a final r oute in the evening sun (really!) to get back to the pub to see everyone, only to find that all the climbers had buggered off home! They did the same on Monday and finished the weekend in the Avon Gorge, where Nicki led Hell's Gates Direct (HVS 5a).

Phil and Wendy went to Holyhead Mountain and practised leading as training for the Alps. According to Wendy - they didn't do much - but they got up very early to do it!

THE BIKERS: Vanessa's lasting memory of the weekend was the midges (the bits are still itching) and the trauma of the downhill runs on the Coed y Brenin mountain bike circuits. Rob went back with Mark K on Sunday and got very muddy cycling around a purpose built course ("The Red Bull"). There are several other courses there, so according to Mark K a return trip is a must as it was excellent. Vanessa sat in the cafe on Sunday recovering. On Monday, Vanessa, Rob and Tom did a 29 mile circuit of the bridleways around Box Hill - more gentle on body and mind and the sun was shining.

THE WALKERS Saturday - Samar, Stuart, Sarah, Theo, Wendy and Philip went walking... but by the time this report was written could not remember where! Eileen and Alix didn't emerge until the weather improved during the late afternoon when they went part way to Snowdon's summit up the Miners' Track. Rest of the day spent brewing up in the Dees' mega tent and in Capel Curig. Margaret and Ed went up Snowdon from Pen y pass - apparently Ed missed the last bus back and Margaret had to go and retrieve by car. Jane, Ruth and John arrived at Bedgellert late afternoon in time to go on a sort of ramble/puff and got lost (predictably) round the back of Bedgellert.

The weather on Sunday was miserable: windy, cold and wet. Samar, Stuart, Sarah and Theo (part of Sarah really for walking purposes, being only 20 months), Margaret, Ed and Jane started up the Glyders in one group. Sarah and Samar retreated, bawled off the hill by an indignant Theo who had decided it was no fun being in the firing line for the wind and rain on Sarah's back. Margaret and Ed with serious enthusiasm went up over the Glyders and then on up Y Garn, back down Devil's Kitchen. Stuart and Jane went up the Glyders and straight back down to Pete's Eats. Needless to say - everyone soaked. Tara and Tony also did a similar route. Monday - even more rain and wind. Ed, Margaret and Catherine H (who arrived Sunday p.m. to a deserted meet) went to the Capel Curig cafe for breakfast then said "What the hell" (blame it on Catherine's infectious enthusiasm) and decided on the spot to catch the 11am park and ride bus to Pen Y Pass to the take the higher Pyg Track to the Snowdon summit cafe. Strong winds and rain meant they got completely soaked, but apparently it was "quite warm really" (tame stuff after the North Pole - Ed).

Thanks to Jane for organising. At times there were thirty one people on this meet which is not a bad turnout considering the weather.

Lastly, a special mention for Mark Winfield. Stopping at a pub on the way up to buy some take outs, Andy waited in the car while Mark disappeared inside for a suspiciously long time. Mark later admitted that he had a quick pint while inside. Cheers, Mark!