Hello-hello and welcome to the Freshers’ Trip 2025 Trip Report!
Friday
On the Friday afternoon the 45-ish of us set off from our prospective start points on the not so long journey to Eryri (Snowdonia). The first of us arrived just after dinner time, and the last of us arrived at about ten past midnight!
After a very brief and exhausted first day briefing from a tired Adam, and a temporary moment of terror when the water system started to emit a loud screaming noise, people chose their activities and attempted to get some shut-eye. (Apart from Alfie who was up at 2am in flipflops and pyjamas sourcing water from a local bog to fill a cistern. God bless the water system.)
Saturday
On this serene Saturday morning many arose to the beautiful symphony that was Guns ‘n Roses blasting full volume at 6:30 in the morning. After a rush to get ready and get some breakfast down us, we all started off for our activities for the day.
The scramblers successfully summitted Tryfan and Glyder Fach. Along the way there were stunning inverted clouds, and many photos were taken! Luc was very excited to take charge of the SU Instagram takeover and interviews were held at the peak of Tryfan.
The climbers started off with some top-roping, as well as teaching some trad, anchor building, and gear technique. Some people even tried their first mock trad leads! The day was wrapped up with some tough boulder problems, then back in for dinner.
The walkers trekked up Devil’s Kitchen to the peak of Glyder Fach, also very much enjoying the inverted clouds and had a lovely picnic. All were happy with the lack of rain!
Post-activities, all made way back to the hut for a delicious chili prepared by Adam and the climbers, followed by cake and copious quantities of custard. Games were played, tables were climbed under, Raffi slept with his eyes open, Matt ate many eggs and was tied up and bound by Tom, and five people managed to fit on top of a pot! Soon people began to feel sleepy, and we managed to secure an earlier night than the last.
Sunday
Most woke up to half of committee singing their hearts out while preparing breakfast for everyone in the hut. Joel cooked some divisive eggs, scramble jokes were made (look out for the Sunday email), clean up began, and people got ready for their final day in Eryri. (Some stayed behind due to ANOTHER water outage and screaming system delaying the washing up process. Lucky for all who were leaving! Huge thanks to Alesia, Alfie, and Grace for staying behind to attack the dishes).
The walkers and scramblers got to witness another amazing inverted cloud vista from the top of Snowdon, with the walkers taking the Pyg Track up and the scramblers traversing the famous Crib Goch. Many warm drinks were bought from the café at the summit. Many photos taken at the trig point too!
The climbers have a more bouldering-focused day, with some completing their first ever bouldering top-outs, and others being converted from sport climbing to bouldering.
Finally, we had a relatively calm and worn-out drive back with a crucial maccies stop midway. Some of our members get their gambling fix with the maccies-monopoly crossover, and Emma struggles to pawn off her raisins. MPVs are dropped off and everyone makes their way back for a well-deserved sleep.
Thanks for reading / thanks for coming! Another fantastic trip, and I hope to see you all around soon,
Harry Jackson,
Secretary 25-26