Having been up Snowdon and Crib Goch countless times I was still yet to complete the Snowdon Horseshoe circuit until today.
The Snowdon Horseshoe was a favourite route of my late grandfather, he spent many days there with young people from North Herts while working in education as well as taking my grandmother and father on this route. He even pushed for the building of the North Herts centre at the foot of the Watkin path.
So with that in mind Lou and I thought it appropriate that we to complete the horseshoe in memory of him.
To avoid the summertime crowds on this popular mountain we headed out of the Pen Y Pass car park at 05.30 hoping to also get the best of the days forecast weather. The weather unfortunately didn't play ball and we spent most of the day in the cloud and drizzle but with little wind which was a slight bonus.
Our route took us along the Pyg track from Pen y pass before hanging a right onto the Crib Goch route to Carnedd Ugain (grade 1 scrambling), then onto Snowdon and onto Y Lliwedd before descending down to the Miners track and back to the Pen y Pass car park. The early start paid off when we arrived at the top of Snowdon to be the only people there, pretty unheard of for Snowdon.
We were back at the Van by 12.30 so headed into Capel Curig for a spot of lunch at the Pinnacle Cafe.
A really good day spent in the hills completing a route that i've been meaning to do for a very long time, its just a shame the Colonel isn't around to hear all about it but i'm sure he was watching!
RIP - Colonel Colin Brice
