Fell and Mountaineering Club head for heights as they Conquer Snowdon

Over the Easter holiday, UEA Fell and Mountaineering Club took on the Snowdon Horseshoe, the nation’s most famous high-level mountain walk challenge.

Every year approximately 10 people die and 150 people are injured in attempting to climb the highest mountain in Wales. At 1085 metres high (roughly 3560 feet), a head for heights and disregard for heavy exposure is a must, especially when there is no safe exit route off the mountain but up.

The group began the route at Pen-y-Pass, 400 metres (1312 feet) above sea level and proceeded to hike for 7 miles, continuously ascending until they reached the summit. They passed through the twin peaks of Y Lliweddby, scrambling across hundreds of metres of steep rock before reaching the knife edge ridge of Crib Goch. At the height of 932 metres (3028 feet), the group were heavily exposed as they used the top of the ridge as a handrail, traversing along the top before reaching the summit.

At the summit, the group contended with heavy fog and a visit from numerous mountain goats as they looked down upon the valleys from above the cloud line. They then continued to climb towards the peak, meeting the Snowdon railway before stopping at the summit cairn.

On the second day the more advanced and hard core climbers took on Tryfan, the summit most famous for its twin monoliths Adam and Eve. Tryfan is 918 metres (3010 feet) above sea level and is a grade one scramble; this means it is technically difficult, heavily exposed and potentially fatal.

Two members of the group even jumped the gap between the Adam and Eve stones, which were 3 metres higher than the ridge, separated by 1.2 metres, with a clearly visible drop in between and either side of the stones.

Scrambling is distinguished from climbing as it does not use ropes as they present more of a danger or hindrance than a safety aspect when climbing. Scrambles also have less exit routes so the danger and technical difficulty increases. Members must be aware of the risks and safety requirements before they take on any challenge … and obviously wear helmets.

On expeditions, Fell club provide walks for advanced, intermediate and beginner levels. They plan routes with both graded scrambles and scenic valleys allowing members to choose strenuous and technically difficult routes, or easy walks with the aim of moseying on up towards a café or pub. We hike, walk and climb across the UK, and can be seen at sea level as often as on the skyline.

Next stop: The Lake District.

Photos of the Fellers storming Tryfan by: Anthony Collier, Philip Thomas and Bertalan Bicsak.