Our first trip of the year is the annual “Freshers’ Trip” to the Caseg Fraith hut in the Ogwen Valley of Snowdonia. The hut is situated at the foot of Tryfan mountain, with numerous walks, scrambles, trad climbing and bouldering all a short walk away from the hut making it the perfect location for 2 days of Mountaineering!
After arriving after dark on Friday night we were treated to blue skies and our first look at the imposing Tryfan just behind the hut, on Saturday morning. We had 3 groups going walking, scrambling and climbing. With a range of activities suitable for both total novices and hardened mountaineers.
The walkers did the Carneddau Horseshoe, a 10mile long ridge line walk which offered stunning views and even some sunshine!!
The scrambling group looped around the base of Tryfan mountain and then followed a simple grade 1 scramble up Gribbin Ridge to the top of Glyder Fach followed by a quite boggy decent back to the hut that caught a few members out!
The final group made use of the trad climbing situated just behind the hut, with several members learning how to roped climb and getting their first outdoor climbing experience! Several small groups also headed off to Little Tryfan, a 60m tall outcrop which features low grade, multi-pitch slab climbing.
In the evening committee cooked a brilliant Chilli con Carne/Vegan Chilli before an evening of board games and table bouldering ensued!
Sunday morning saw weather more familiar to Freshers’ Trip veterans, consistent rain, but after being bolstered by a hearty cooked breakfast 27 members headed up Moel Siabod for a 5 hour mountain walk, before returning to the club-favourite, Moel Siabod café for hot chocolate and huge slices of cake.
The rest of the trip stuck to a more easy-going walk around Llyn Ogwen and Llyn Idwal, making the most of the shelter lower down.
Finally, a massive thank you to all the drivers, cooks and group-leaders who gave up their time to make this trip such a success, thanks guys!
Conor
BUMC Chair 19/20