Our December/Christmas meet was 13/14 December. The forecast was high winds, so we avoided the high tops and went for Penmaen-Bach. A group had been here before in November. Clive was keen to repeat and for the rest of the group it was a new experience. A group of six set of up Penmaen-Bach Arete. This is a grade 2/3 scramble. All people taking part were quite experienced so there were no problems. It is surprisingly unknown considering it is very prominent when driving along the A55. And it is only a 10-minute walk in. We reached the summit of Penmaen-bach at 245m. We then went across to Alltwen at 255m and then returned. We then went back to the cottage where Mark was preparing Christmas dinner. The menu included turkey, pigs in blankets and a good selection of vegetables. Desert was Christmas pudding or sherry trifle. We all enjoyed the meal. This was followed by a recital of the Ballad of Idwal Slabs by Clive. On the Sunday weather was very bad so many went straight home. One person did make a trip to the Boardroom climbing wall in Chester on the way home.
Pictures of the group on the arete.
The route
Enjoying the Christmas meal in the cottage.
Clive reciting the ballad of Idwal Slabs