Snowdon

Woke up to very wet weather. I had hoped to try the Glyders but Graeme wanted something a bit more straightforward as rain was forecast for all day. Snowdon seemed best, unfortunately not Crib Goch in this weather, but by the Pyg and Miners tracks. Parked at Pen-y-Pass for £4, almost empty, and off on a very well made path. Apart from one place where a new path was being built the path all the way to Snowdon is well constructed. Makes it a bit too easy but with all the traffic they have it's the only way to slow down erosion. It is a long slow incline with only the odd little scrambly bits to make a change and there are nice views of the miners path below. In fact that was about all you could see as it rained almost all the way to the summit. At least we were sheltered from the wind, that is until the top of the path where you meet the Llanberis path when the wind hit us with a vengeance and stayed with us to the summit. An easy walk though but no more than a quick look at the summit, too cold and wet. Only two other people around, both heading back to their train where we suspected all the others were. Looked for some shelter around the boarded up café and were pleasantly surprised on rounding a corner to find a door open and the café open. A bowl of soup (cold) and sandwiches plus a nice coffee so it was all quite cosy.

Back out into the wind and rain but at least we knew the wind would stop at the path junction and in fact the rain soon eased off and stopped. We had quite a job finding the start of the Miners track and walkers on the way up could not help until someone mentioned it started beside some old sandbags. It did indeed though it wasn't all that obvious - due I think to a lot of construction work going on. Not quite as well made as the Pyg track, at least on the descent to the lakes. It falls quite steeply but easily and you are soon on a firm path at the highest of the little lakes. From here it is a very simple and comfortable walk with only one or two minor drops in the path between lakes. Walked past some old mineworks and had a pleasant Guinness. The weather was dry by now but we were still soaked. Even my left boot was wet, something it hasn't been for years. The path becomes a very smooth cindery track and is not very far removed from being a tarmacadamed road.