Y Garn camping trip

4th October, 2011

Over the first weekend in October eleven boarders enjoyed a camping and hillwalking trip to Wales accompanied by Mrs Boutwood and Mr Rigby, who writes:

We had a clear run over to Capel Curig on Saturday night, and stayed at Dolgam campsite. The light was quickly fading by the time we arrived but the race to pitch the tents was just won, and the boys prepared their sleeping mats and sleeping bags by the light of their head-torches. Whilst they were sorting out who was to sleep in which tent, we organised the hot chocolate. There was much debate about what the best hot chocolate is and how much sugar gives the best taste, which kept everybody occupied until bedtime.

Most of the boys managed to sleep well, and so appeared rested on Sunday, ready for the walk ahead. After breakfast we broke camp, and managed to shoehorn all the kit back into the minibus. A quick drive up the Ogwen valley saw us at the base of our intended peak, Y Garn. The Ogwen valley is absolutely fantastic, and crammed with most of the highest summits in Wales. The weather was not quite as good as we would have liked, but kitted out in waterproofs, we set off up the path to our first way point, Llyn Idwal – a lovely spot which gives panoramic views of the Glyder Range. From here the real climb started.

With plenty of stops to enjoy the views, we made our way up the shoulder of Y Garn. The workman’s hut half way up prompted a lot of questions. They are improving the path up here, and so there is a need for cover, when the weather turns, which it did for us. As we reached the summit, the wind picked up and the rain came. We made a very quick photo stop before dashing to the leeward side of the mountain and out of the worst of the weather. After a stop for lunch we carefully made our way down the devil’s kitchen, back to Llyn Idwal. We had a short stop to look at some of the climbers on the Idwal Slabs, and then it was back to the minibus, and home.