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After a journey by car, another car, plane, minibus and taxi we arrived at The Glen Nevis Visitor Centre in good time for our scheduled 12 noon start. I was really impressed with the organisation the Anthony Nolan Trust had arranged. All the teams booked for this date other than the two teams of staff and friends from Goody Burrett had dropped out, some at the last minute, so we had qualified Mountain Leaders galore to look after us.
16/8, 1100 - safety briefing |
In spite of the forecast, weather conditions were excellent for walking - cool, only the odd spot of rain, and winds not excessive. After final preparation we started the Challenge at 1150, with the other team following five minutes later.
16/8, 1140 - Almost ready to go |
After some initial traffic congestion on the lower parts of the path, we made steady progress up the Ben...
16/8, 1300 - Steady progress |
16/8, 1315 - The view approaching the zigzags |
... and three hours later arrived at the summit. It looks different without any snow!
16/8, 1452, the last two members of Team 1 approach the summit. |
After a quick photo or two (my camera decided not to work at the summit) we headed back down. If we hadn't been in such a hurry it would have been a very pleasant walk.
16/8, 1505 Back across the plateau |
Down in two hours, a quick bite to eat and we were on our way to the Lake District by 1725. We started our journey up Scafell Pike at about 2330 in steady rain and gusty winds accompanied by two mountain rescue dogs. Planning the walk for the full moon didn't help - we had 100% cloud cover for the whole time. In fact, the only thing we could see apart from the ground immediately beneath our feet was the white water in the streams (there was plenty of that).
17/8, 0040 - A typical view of the team |
Weather conditions deteriorated. The wind got stronger. The rain got heavier. Three of the team fell over crossing the stream. Above 550m we were in heavy mist the whole time. Fortunately, the dogs knew the way! Eventually we bumped into the summit trig point.
17/8 0205, - The view from Scafell Pike summit |
Coming down Scafell Pike was horrible and took as long as the climb. Most of us slipped over more than once. Back at the Green in Wasdale Head we had a breakfast of bacon butties and beans and left for Wales at about 0430. The combination of fast minibus driving and the Wasdale bendy roads meant that two of us saw our breakfast again a few minutes later. We had a quick doze on the M6 and saw some early morning sunshine, but when we arrived at Pen-y-pas weather conditions were much the same as those we had left behind in the Lake District.
17/8 0910, - Starting the climb up the Pyg Track. I have no idea why we looked so happy! |
It rained all the way up, and most of it was misty. It was incredibly wet, and the Pyg Track seemed to be longer and steeper that it has been in the past.
 
17/8 1132, - Snowdon Summit - still smiling! |
Having completed the challenge and knowing that we would have to wait a couple of hours for the other team, we took our time coming down Snowdon. For the last hour the rain stopped and we even has some sunshine. Who says the weather god hasn't got a sense of humour?
17/8 1315, - A rest on the way down |
Thanks to Sue for some of the pictures.
You can support the Anthony Nolan Trust at http://www.justgiving.com/andrewcordle.