Day 21 - 3rd July 2007

I knew when I woke up that I would'nt get over Snowdon today, so we had a quick meeting outside the shower block and decided that Al would take Pete (never climbed it before) over Snowdon using Rhydd Du and the Pyg Track and I would do an 8 mile road hike along the A498 to the PYG Hotel.

I was pretty disappointed to miss Snowdon, the high point of our trip, but I have been up before and I would rather have my knee rested for the Glyders, which, together with Cadair, are the points on the walk I have been most looking forward to.

I said goodbye to the guys at around 10am, stopped in Beddgelert to buy some ibuprofen and phone Sarah, then marched to the hotel along what must be one of the most picturesque A roads in the country. The weather was fine all the way but I could see by the black swirling cloud 3000 feet above me, that the guys would be having a tougher time.

I got to the most famous mountaineering hotel in the country at about 1pm (too much history to go into here, but the signatures on the bar ceiling read like a who's who of the climbing world) and had a long hot bath in the best bath I have ever seen! I am 6 ft and I could stretch out. Its Victorian with and amazing shower / spray mechanism. I'll get a photo up when I get back., I had a quick pint then set off up Pen y Pass and the Pyg Track to meet the guys.

I met them just below the ridge and they had had a pretty good crossing. It was a bit blowy on Clogwyn Du and Bwlch Main, but Pete didn't get blown away! It's a shame he didn't have views, but tomorrow, on the Glyders, the forecast is for higher cloud base. We are up along the ridge and then dropping down the 'back' of Tryfan to Ogwen Cottage YH.

I can use my knee to climb as long as I munch some 'profen and don't lead with it on steppy sections and scrambles.

Could be worse!