Snowdonia Odyssey - Day four

Well, the plan was...

..to head over the ridge to the East of Tryfan,...

...straight down to the legendary Pen Y Gwryd Hotel for lunch, before walking to the next campsite.

But due to the weather not co-operating again (Blustery winds and low cloud), and the small injury sustained, we decided not to chance it and to hiked along the A5 to Capel Curig again and take the S2 bus as far as the pub. While at Capel, I bought some gas. Just in case.

The Pen Y Gwryd is a special place. It's walls are lined with photos and artefacts from the legends of British climbing.

From the Abraham brothers, 'OG' Jones, Mallory and the Everest expedition through Don Whillans, Jo Brown, Chris Bonnington, Alan Hinkes, Chris Brasher and many more.

'Light weight' boots

The ceiling of the climber's bar is a 'guest book' signed by all the famous.

Edmond Hillary was 'ere...

... so was Don Whillans & Chris Brasher

Everest expedition memorabilia

OG Jones

Climber's bar

After a rather nice lunch we pressed on down the Nant Gwynant on a small track parallel to the A498 road, enjoying the views and keeping up quite a good pace, until we reached our second base.

Pied wagtail

What a difference. Gwern Gof Ichaf was a field with a shower block.

 Llyn Gwynant campsite was clearly aimed at families, and situated at the end of a lake, encouraged water sports. There was also a small shop, launderette, payphone, bar and pizza stand.

Eee, luxury...

Open fires were also allowed. As a back option in case I had ran out of gas, I'd bought along a wood burning stove. There's handy...

Campsite also open to parrots

The only wrinkle in the day was when David lent on the tent and broke a pole.

Luckily, the DofE beetles were particularly absent minded so I'd managed to find several tent pegs and a couple of guy lines (probably hard work remembering stuff and keeping up a continual diatribe of bolx) back at Gwern Gof Uchaf, and so I was able to rig up a temporary repair.

More home burnt cooked fare

With the bar open and dinner cooked, we tended to our soggy clothes.

The day we didn't do...

Route map for Snowdonia Day-4 by Mike Hooper on plotaroute.com