Meet report by Sarah Waldram
A select group, Anna Vojnits, Adriano Kalaj, Sarah Glover, Miguel Ruiz (new to club), Marcin Dawydzik (new to club) and Sarah Waldram, braved M40 disruption to reach the village of Dinas Mawddwy in southern Snowdonia in the early hours. The hut, owned by Solihull Mountaineering Club, was off road and off grid. But once we had stumbled around in the mud and dark a bit, found the key in the wood shed, and turned on the eco-electric supply, we found ourselves in a delightful and charismatic spot.
On Saturday, the whole party ascended Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path. It was a glorious day, with just a sprinkling of snow on the tops, and not too cold. We climbed along the side of the small lake Llyn Cau, which looked increasingly jewel-like as we gained height. Colours on the surrounding hills ranged from exquisite greens to a mysterious purplish-grey. We did a circuit along the ridge and then back down over boulders. That night Anna, Adriano, Sarah and Sarah availed themselves of the reasonable pub food at the Red Lion in the village. Meanwhile, Miguel and Marcin returned to the hut to cook, as well as getting a good blaze in the stove going. Marcin also produced a delicious Polish blackcurrant vodka (earning himself and Miguel near certain club membership nomination).
On Sunday, Anna, Adriano, Miguel and Marcin drove north to climb Snowdon, since they had not done it before. Starting at Pen-y-Pass, Miguel and Marcin did Crib Goch, the exposed path, while Anna and Adriano took a more straightforward route. Conditions were cold, snowy and icy. At the intersection of paths the two pairs met to consider continuing to the summit. Marcin and Miguel decided to run up, while Adriano and Anna began the descent. Meanwhile, back in Dinas, Sarah and Sarah made a leisurely start from the hut, and were easily waylaid by a top-notch tea shop in the village for mid-morning coffee and cake. The only other visitor admitted he should really have been in chapel. Sarah and Sarah then did a gentle stroll around the local Tal-y-llyn Lake (or Llyn Mwyngil).
