Snowdon and extreme weather training

Three weeks to go... time for serious mileage and hill training. I had been looking forward to the weekend of 16th/17th of January and our trip to Snowdonia since the idea was put forward in November. However, in the week preceding it the weather forecasts were bleak to say the least - 60-80 mph gales and heavy rain! This would be Snowdon in winter!

Seven members of the Kili team were here to complete their training for the bigger challenge that lay ahead. We have all come from different backgrounds and physical abilities, our paths converged on Snowdon via very different training programs and for differing motivations. We share a goal to breakdown the invisible barriers which we place in front of ourselves and realise a dream.

True to British weather we set off in glorious sunshine, of course it would not last long! On Saturday afternoon for a warm up, a three hour walk in the winds and a fantastic test of our wet weather gear! Soaked we returned in good humour and a well earned drink. The evening proved that the trip will not be dull - we have a team member whom claimed, in jest, to be a porn star! We all leaned a lot more about one another by the end of the evening... So would we be able to make the climb the following day in the terrible weather?

With a little bit of planning Charlie chose the Miners trail route up Snowdon. It would offer the best protection from the north easterly wind. A great choice as we would soon find out. Following a very scenic warm up along the miners path with an occasional warning from mother nature in the shape blast of wind. We soon reached the Pyg track, the easily recognisable path turned into a goats trail scrambling through rock. This was made all the more fun as we neared the summit and climbed into the cloud, the streams froze and the snows built up. I have to say that I was guilty of taking my usually approach to such a challenge head on and go for it! Lesson one discipline and team work, these will be needed in abundance for Kili. Nearing the summit we climbed onto the final assent to be met by the most amighty icy wind. One final test of stamina, grit and determination. Five of so made it to the summit to share a real sense of achieve, those who did not know the mountain is always there another day and can be safe in the knowledge that they respected the mountain. Only two weeks later two people were not so lucky. Quite a sobering thought about the challenge we have completed and the much bigger one to come. Lesson two - Always respect the mountain...

One final thought from Nigel "Neither me or Charlie are allowed to lead on Kili" it would lead to failure on our climb as we are likely to ascend too quickly to allow our bodies to acclimatise to the altitude. He is absolutely right, this is going to be an altogether different challenge for me.