Post-hike hike

This Saturday after the Swamp Hike, it would be good weather. Neil was keen to take advantage of it, and suggested taking the bus to Cwm Idwal, and walking back over the ridge. That sounded good! And he had picked a bus for it, which would go rather late in the morning. That meant we had some time for other things before setting off.

My stock of sawn firewood was a bit low, while that of uncut wood was high, so we spent the time in the morning doing something about that. As a team of two, we were very effective! We made a big difference. That is going to keep me going for a while.

We then took the bus. We had decided to go up  y Garn. (Devil’s Kitchen would also have been an option.) When we started walking up it felt like work. I come here with the students every year! But that was already lessened a bit when we took the path through the little quarry, which had been closed for a long time. And when we diverted from the path around the little lake and headed up the hill, that feeling was over. We don't go there with students. But whether now or with the students, I am still struck by the amazing views there.

We had a little snack break on the flank of y Garn, and then we proceeded to the summit. It was a bit windy but nothing too serious. And when we got to summit I heard a scream. Who was already there, other than Lydia. That was a nice surprise! She was hiking with a friend.

After we caught up we each went our way; they headed towards Llanberis while we headed for Penrhyn Quarry. Neil and I enjoyed the views on the ridge. At a particularly nice point we found some ladies taking pictures of themselves. We offered to help with that. As thanks, their dog punched Neil in the nuts, and the ladies took pictures of us.

We continued our way. And we had a little snack break in a wind shelter on one of the summits. There was a lady there doing the same thing. It was nice to have a little chat! And it started raining, but that didn't last. Fortunately.

At some point, we were above the Atlantic Slabs. I would like to do these one day! Preferably with Kate, who knows what she is doing. If you get it wrong you might be in trouble. But while we were admiring the impressive rock face we saw a little figure scampering up. When he reached the top, Neil accosted him, and asked about how you go about it and how difficult it is. He wants to do it as well!

When I have done this walk before, I just took the little path that goes down Cwm Ceunant, but Neil wanted to come down in Penrhyn Quarry. I suppose that is preferable. When we were approaching the little junction in the path where you go left for the quarry and right for Ceunant, we bumped into a man coming the other way. We found out he actually wanted to come the same way as us, but was not confident he could do that without problems. But with us there, and Neil's local knowledge, he was happy to come with us. All the rocks were wet and slippery, but it wasn't too bad. And if you're with other people it doesn't feel so risky. Someone can spot you, for instance! So with the three of us we navigated the tiny little path that led to the gate into the quarry. And a few tens of meters later, you're standing on the big track where the lorries come up to drop punters by the top of the zip line (and which is also a public footpath). There, our guest vanished. He had the bus to catch. We just continued our way.

Not much later we were home. It had been a nice hike! It is difficult to have too many hikes in one week…