2. 2012
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  • Jasmijn points towards the summit at the start of the Pyg Track.

    Jasmijn points towards the summit at the start of the Pyg Track.

  • Racing to catch up to everyone else, who started before us, we enter the snow line here.

    Racing to catch up to everyone else, who started before us, we enter the snow line here.

  • The Pyg Track winds it way up a mountain oblivious to the fact summer has barely ended in the UK.

    The Pyg Track winds it way up a mountain oblivious to the fact summer has barely ended in the UK.

  • With the wind chill it was about -15C here. Later I would kick myself for failing to use the hand warmers in my pack! We were so worried about not finishing before nightfall we barely stopped to drink, and it was almost too cold to unclip packs, so I just let my hands freeze. The pain was not fun. The local Welshmen however, thought it a fine day for a cycle in shorts!!! Sanity is not considered their national strength. We were deeply impressed, and dared not ask what they considered cold.

    With the wind chill it was about -15C here. Later I would kick myself for failing to use the hand warmers in my pack! We were so worried about not finishing before nightfall we barely stopped to drink, and it was almost too cold to unclip packs, so I just let my hands freeze. The pain was not fun. The local Welshmen however, thought it a fine day for a cycle in shorts!!! Sanity is not considered their national strength. We were deeply impressed, and dared not ask what they considered cold.

  • Shortly after, we made it to the summit - Wales' highest, at 1,085 m. Don't forget, it was relatively sunny and warm elsewhere in the UK.

    Shortly after, we made it to the summit - Wales' highest, at 1,085 m. Don't forget, it was relatively sunny and warm elsewhere in the UK.

  • Snowdon summit JdeB & AK

    Snowdon summit JdeB & AK

  • The hoar frost made the descents treacherous, and dangerously slow given the imminent nightfall - all the way down to the snowline.

    The hoar frost made the descents treacherous, and dangerously slow given the imminent nightfall - all the way down to the snowline.

  • But in a few places it was safe to run. Here the hill fog and snowstorms briefly abated, giving us views over most of Wales!

    But in a few places it was safe to run. Here the hill fog and snowstorms briefly abated, giving us views over most of Wales!

  • Winding our way back down the icy Pyg Track.

    Winding our way back down the icy Pyg Track.

  • That night in the B&B ice patterns gave the window a stained glass effect.

    That night in the B&B ice patterns gave the window a stained glass effect.

  • The next morning however we were rewarded by this lovely view from our B&B in Betws-y-Coed in the heart of Snowdonia. It was so nice to be able to enjoy this incredibly beautiful place, without having to get up in the dead of night to start a mountaineering challenge, as occurred last time we were here (pics)!

    The next morning however we were rewarded by this lovely view from our B&B in Betws-y-Coed in the heart of Snowdonia. It was so nice to be able to enjoy this incredibly beautiful place, without having to get up in the dead of night to start a mountaineering challenge, as occurred last time we were here (pics)!

  • The next morning we decided to explore to see if Wales had anything to offer besides freezing mountain tops.

    The next morning we decided to explore to see if Wales had anything to offer besides freezing mountain tops.

  • The autumn colours were mind-blowing.

    The autumn colours were mind-blowing.

  • We wound our way up into the mountains to Llyn (Lake) Geirionydd here.

    We wound our way up into the mountains to Llyn (Lake) Geirionydd here.

  • Llyn Geirionydd trees

    Llyn Geirionydd trees

  • Llyn Geirionydd Jasmijn 1

    Llyn Geirionydd Jasmijn 1

  • It was time to go hiking again - up over another ridge towards Llyn Crafnant, a few km away.

    It was time to go hiking again - up over another ridge towards Llyn Crafnant, a few km away.

  • But first, we had to quest through the heart of a seriously spooky forest!

    But first, we had to quest through the heart of a seriously spooky forest!

  • Adjoining a secret pool, this ruin was hidden in the dark heart of the forest. I wonder what mysterious history these stones held. It seemed the perfect place for witches or outlaws...

    Adjoining a secret pool, this ruin was hidden in the dark heart of the forest. I wonder what mysterious history these stones held. It seemed the perfect place for witches or outlaws...

  • Mysterious Welsh runes reminded us we were in Lord of the Rings country :)

    Mysterious Welsh runes reminded us we were in Lord of the Rings country :)

  • Eventually we emerged from the forest unscathed.

    Eventually we emerged from the forest unscathed.

  • Llyn Crafnant became visible through the trees.

    Llyn Crafnant became visible through the trees.

  • Llyn Crafnant framed

    Llyn Crafnant framed

  • We gained the shore, and hiked around the lake.

    We gained the shore, and hiked around the lake.

  • As the CEO of the Vegan Society, Jasmijn is naturally adept at sniffing out vegan food - in this case, blackberries.

    As the CEO of the Vegan Society, Jasmijn is naturally adept at sniffing out vegan food - in this case, blackberries.

  • Llyn Crafnant cottage

    Llyn Crafnant cottage

  • Llyn Crafnant stones

    Llyn Crafnant stones

  • Several waterfalls fed into the Lake, descending from the heights of the Carneddau range far above.

    Several waterfalls fed into the Lake, descending from the heights of the Carneddau range far above.

  • Llyn Crafnant waterfall 3

    Llyn Crafnant waterfall 3

  • This was also the domain of the wild Welsh Pony!

    This was also the domain of the wild Welsh Pony!

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    Jasmijn points towards the summit at the start of the Pyg Track.
    Racing to catch up to everyone else, who started before us, we enter the snow line here.