2. 2011

Extreme Ironing in Snowdonia in November

After fervent prayers and prolonged effort, my attempts to get myself fired were finally successful. Well, maybe not quite fired, but at least the next best thing: my services were not required for a while. Such is the nature of locum work. I therefore seized the opportunity to try some extreme ironing in my beloved Snowdonia. Apparently this combines the thrill of a danger sport with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt. I'd never done this before but have always enjoyed ironing, which I thought might give me an edge. There are international championships now, and maybe I could make the Aussie team someday with sufficient training. But Aussies are tough, not to mention the best in the world, so I knew this would need to be hard-core. First though, I grabbed the credit card and headed to John Lewis, where I attracted strange looks as I tried most of their display ironing boards on for size and weight. The board I chose was strong, lightweight, and fitted to my climbing pack - just. The £50 caused me pain, but I knew it would be worth every pound, high on the mountain. Don't miss the published story of this adventure! And my extreme ironing training tips are revealed in this interview.
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  • Desperately busy as usual, I didn't make it to Snowdonia until well after dark. However, I was rewarded next morning by the sight of this bridge in Betws-y-Coed as I headed for the main range.

    Desperately busy as usual, I didn't make it to Snowdonia until well after dark. However, I was rewarded next morning by the sight of this bridge in Betws-y-Coed as I headed for the main range.

  • My first objective was to climb Tryfan here. Just visible on the highest point are two seven foot rock pillars named Adam and Eve, between which the insanely brave or those tired of life can attempt to jump. I had a secret ambition to iron on the top of them, but was concerned about the bad weather forecast. Although any lightning would doubtless make the experience even more special.

    My first objective was to climb Tryfan here. Just visible on the highest point are two seven foot rock pillars named Adam and Eve, between which the insanely brave or those tired of life can attempt to jump. I had a secret ambition to iron on the top of them, but was concerned about the bad weather forecast. Although any lightning would doubtless make the experience even more special.

  • I was a bit disturbed to discover gales strong enough to be blowing about half of Lake Ogwen well up the first part of Tryfan. This climb was clearly going to be veeeery special...

    I was a bit disturbed to discover gales strong enough to be blowing about half of Lake Ogwen well up the first part of Tryfan. This climb was clearly going to be veeeery special...

  • After being blown over a few times and proceeding using all four limbs to hang on to anything including the grass here, I finally made it to just below this pass. Tryfan is to the left, and Bristly Ridge to the right. I'm actually sheltered from the force of the 70 mph gale, which is hitting the other side of the ridge, but would be exposed to its full strength as soon as I reach the pass. All other hikers have long since turned back. Sadly, I realised there was no way I'd be able to climb Tryfan with the equivalent of a small sail on my back, so I was forced to turn back after about 2 hrs.

    After being blown over a few times and proceeding using all four limbs to hang on to anything including the grass here, I finally made it to just below this pass. Tryfan is to the left, and Bristly Ridge to the right. I'm actually sheltered from the force of the 70 mph gale, which is hitting the other side of the ridge, but would be exposed to its full strength as soon as I reach the pass. All other hikers have long since turned back. Sadly, I realised there was no way I'd be able to climb Tryfan with the equivalent of a small sail on my back, so I was forced to turn back after about 2 hrs.

  • Looking across Llyn Bochlwyd here to the Glyderrau range, I realised that dead ahead was the sheltered Devil's Kitchen area, from which I might be able to find another way up.

    Looking across Llyn Bochlwyd here to the Glyderrau range, I realised that dead ahead was the sheltered Devil's Kitchen area, from which I might be able to find another way up.

  • Devil's Kitchen

    Devil's Kitchen

  • Devil's Kitchen Llyn Idwal

    Devil's Kitchen Llyn Idwal

  • From the back of the Devil's Kitchen area, I climbed ever higher towards the Glyderrau range.

    From the back of the Devil's Kitchen area, I climbed ever higher towards the Glyderrau range.

  • Devil's Kitchen path

    Devil's Kitchen path

  • Some parts of the trail were a bit tricky.

    Some parts of the trail were a bit tricky.

  • Incredibly frustratingly, the trail was a loop, that went no higher. At least, however, I managed some scenic ironing here.

    Incredibly frustratingly, the trail was a loop, that went no higher. At least, however, I managed some scenic ironing here.

  • This interesting Chinook kept circling and seemed to be doing mock landings. Either they wanted to borrow my ironing gear and have a go themselves, or were practicing for mountain rescues. Perhaps they were wondering if I needed evacuation on psychological grounds. Unfortunately, extreme ironers are poorly understood.

    This interesting Chinook kept circling and seemed to be doing mock landings. Either they wanted to borrow my ironing gear and have a go themselves, or were practicing for mountain rescues. Perhaps they were wondering if I needed evacuation on psychological grounds. Unfortunately, extreme ironers are poorly understood.

  • Completely knackered after an entire day of lugging my gear around the mountains in gales, I was absolutely thrilled to discover the brand new boutique 'Plas Curig' hostel in Capel Curig. This is the library.

    Completely knackered after an entire day of lugging my gear around the mountains in gales, I was absolutely thrilled to discover the brand new boutique 'Plas Curig' hostel in Capel Curig. This is the library.

  • The dorms are incredibly luxurious. Note the little curtains you can pull across your cubical, each of which has its own reading light.

    The dorms are incredibly luxurious. Note the little curtains you can pull across your cubical, each of which has its own reading light.

  • Home, sweet home... :)

    Home, sweet home... :)

  • The gusts were forecast to drop to 50 mph on Day 2, so I decided to see whether Mt Snowdon might be achievable.

    The gusts were forecast to drop to 50 mph on Day 2, so I decided to see whether Mt Snowdon might be achievable.

  • I really wanted to iron on Crib Cogh up there, which narrows to a one foot knife-edge in some parts. Sadly, however, the wind would have quickly blown me off, and I didn't yet have the training to use my board as a glider. I think that must be in the extreme ironing Masterclass. One day...

    I really wanted to iron on Crib Cogh up there, which narrows to a one foot knife-edge in some parts. Sadly, however, the wind would have quickly blown me off, and I didn't yet have the training to use my board as a glider. I think that must be in the extreme ironing Masterclass. One day...

  • Snowdon path view of Glaslyn

    Snowdon path view of Glaslyn

  • I wound my way ever higher up the Pyg Track.

    I wound my way ever higher up the Pyg Track.

  • The trail got tougher...

    The trail got tougher...

  • And tougher!

    And tougher!

  • Two money trees had grown since my last visit. The weather was looking scary, so I poked a coin into this tree for the mountain gods. Unfortunately another fell out as I did so - an ominous sign. Hurriedly, I pressed on.

    Two money trees had grown since my last visit. The weather was looking scary, so I poked a coin into this tree for the mountain gods. Unfortunately another fell out as I did so - an ominous sign. Hurriedly, I pressed on.

  • Snowdon path 4

    Snowdon path 4

  • Snowdon path view 1

    Snowdon path view 1

  • Finally, the summit ridge came into view. The summit is up to the left - somewhere.

    Finally, the summit ridge came into view. The summit is up to the left - somewhere.

  • Start of the summit ridge.

    Start of the summit ridge.

  • Snowdon path AK

    Snowdon path AK

  • Snowdon path summit ridge 2

    Snowdon path summit ridge 2

  • Snowdon path summit ridge view 1

    Snowdon path summit ridge view 1

  • Fearsome drops descend into the mist.

    Fearsome drops descend into the mist.

  • The weather managed to get even worse...

    The weather managed to get even worse...

  • At last, the summit cairn - which seemed to have been turned into a foot highway since my last visit. Conditions were freezing as usual and the warm summit cafe was, once again, closed. My personal curse in action. At least the mountain gods don't ignore me.

    At last, the summit cairn - which seemed to have been turned into a foot highway since my last visit. Conditions were freezing as usual and the warm summit cafe was, once again, closed. My personal curse in action. At least the mountain gods don't ignore me.

  • Finally, ironing on the Summit of Mt Snowdon, at 1,085 m the highest point in Wales and England. In gusts so strong I could only stay for seconds on the top of the summit cairn, which has a decent drop beneath it.

    Finally, ironing on the Summit of Mt Snowdon, at 1,085 m the highest point in Wales and England. In gusts so strong I could only stay for seconds on the top of the summit cairn, which has a decent drop beneath it.

  • Half way down the Pyg track I took a break to iron some more, in better conditions.

    Half way down the Pyg track I took a break to iron some more, in better conditions.

  • However, the wind was still horrific. Shortly after this shot it blew over both my ironing board and tripod, breaking it. Somehow my camera survived.

    However, the wind was still horrific. Shortly after this shot it blew over both my ironing board and tripod, breaking it. Somehow my camera survived.

  • Whilst waiting, and waiting... for someone (anyone!) to come and help take photos, I admired these mountain sheep across the valley. They are the ultimate climbers, leaving humans for dead. I watched one fearlessly traverse the face of an almost-cliff to reach a small grassy ledge where it continued to graze.

    Whilst waiting, and waiting... for someone (anyone!) to come and help take photos, I admired these mountain sheep across the valley. They are the ultimate climbers, leaving humans for dead. I watched one fearlessly traverse the face of an almost-cliff to reach a small grassy ledge where it continued to graze.

  • Finally, after a freezing half hour waiting, an entire group of about 15 undergrad guys appeared. They took some pics for me, and then all had a go themselves! They loved it, as did everyone I met! Some of them had never even ironed before!!

    Finally, after a freezing half hour waiting, an entire group of about 15 undergrad guys appeared. They took some pics for me, and then all had a go themselves! They loved it, as did everyone I met! Some of them had never even ironed before!!

  • On reaching the bottom after hours of toil, I discovered four trail maintenance workers...

    On reaching the bottom after hours of toil, I discovered four trail maintenance workers...

  • ... who had literally just planted this sign, whilst I was on the trail, praying for the summit cafe to be open. NOW you tell me !@§*!!!!!

    ... who had literally just planted this sign, whilst I was on the trail, praying for the summit cafe to be open. NOW you tell me !@§*!!!!!

  • I still had a little bit of light left so I climbed over the back of the Pen-y-Pass youth hostel to discover this peaceful mountain lake. Beautiful... until a thunderclap announced the opening of the heavens, and I was forced to flee.

    I still had a little bit of light left so I climbed over the back of the Pen-y-Pass youth hostel to discover this peaceful mountain lake. Beautiful... until a thunderclap announced the opening of the heavens, and I was forced to flee.

  • Very sadly, the next morning I had to drive back to London. Finally, the wind had dropped, but I had no more time for hiking :( So instead I admired the autumn colours and wondered why the mountain Gods hate me so.

    Very sadly, the next morning I had to drive back to London. Finally, the wind had dropped, but I had no more time for hiking :( So instead I admired the autumn colours and wondered why the mountain Gods hate me so.

  • Pont Cyfyng a

    Pont Cyfyng a

  • Pont Cyfyng c

    Pont Cyfyng c

  • Swallow Falls field

    Swallow Falls field

  • I took a detour to Conwy, which has a truly awesome castle - one of a ring around Snowdonia built by an English king to try to contain the Welsh rebellions. All could be resupplied by sea in the event of sieges.

    I took a detour to Conwy, which has a truly awesome castle - one of a ring around Snowdonia built by an English king to try to contain the Welsh rebellions. All could be resupplied by sea in the event of sieges.

  • Conwy

    Conwy

  • Conwy has a medieval city centre, all of which is contained within massive city walls.

    Conwy has a medieval city centre, all of which is contained within massive city walls.

  • Llanrwst a

    Llanrwst a

  • Llanrwst b

    Llanrwst b

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    I really wanted to iron on Crib Cogh up there, which narrows to a one foot knife-edge in some parts. Sadly, however, the wind would have quickly blown me off, and I didn't yet have the training to use my board as a glider. I think that must be in the extreme ironing Masterclass. One day...
    Snowdon path view of Glaslyn.jpg
    I wound my way ever higher up the Pyg Track.