Rhyd Ddu trip 13th -14th January 2017
Fifteen members and friends gathered for the January meet of Nuneaton Mountaineering Club held in Rhyd Ddu, Snowdonia. We were based in a large house owned by the Oread Mountaineering Club of Derby where we were very warm and cosy.
For some members it was possible to stay for a long weekend so early birds arrived on Wednesday and only returned home on Monday.
As we arrived there was no sign of any snow, even on the highest mountains, but Wednesday night and into Thursday morning it rained and then snowed until there was an almost complete coverage down into the valley.
A range of hill walking took place with different groups taking on activities of various degrees of difficulty. There were a number of low level walks in the surrounding area and into the nearby forests as well as on to the nearby lower hills such as Mynydd Mawr 698 metres.
More enterprising ascents were made by Martyn, Les and Mo on to a very wintry Moel Siabod in a white out, and by Anna, Mark and Keith a couple of days later when the conditions were better but still challenging.
One group attempted the Nantle Ridge on Saturday but discretion trumped valour in the icy conditions on a narrow section of the ridge, while Lousia made it to Snowdon on Sunday even though in the misty conditions there was nothing to see.
All returned from their various expeditions safe and sound and a group meal was enjoyed by all on the Saturday evening at the house where there was much merriment and banter.
Thanks to all organisers who helped make the weekend a success but especially to our chefs Michele, Keith and David.
Our forthcoming trips are:
February 4th-11th. Week based on Loch Lomondside, Scotland.
March 11th. Day walk on the Berwyns, north Wales.
April 7th-9th. Camping weekend Patterdale, Lake District.