On 16th October 2021, to raise money for Samaritans, myself and a group of about 14 people organised by my sister Jo , set off to hike up Mount Snowdon setting off at midnight. Disappointingly however, due to inclemently wild weather conditions we didn’t quite make it to the top. The amazing guides, quite rightly decided that it was too dangerous so at Clogwyn Station (about three quarters of the way up) we turned back. We collectively raised over £8,000 for a great cause so I’ll take that.
It was such an amazing experience and actually really fun and exciting (if you like 40mph wind and rain in your face). My brother Pete, aka Titus Twelve co founder of Limbo Tapes summed it up perfectly in his ‘Thrilling Trek Report’ (see below)!
I found it really exhilarating and wanted to try and capture how it felt and made this narrative illustration with pen, ink and pencil crayon. It follows the journey of seeing the dark silhouette of the mountain, the colours of the wet stones, a startled sheep and frog through to the street lamps on the return. I’ve tried to express the sensation of the relentless wind and rain using texture.
Considering it was pitch black, I remember it seemed quite colourful, what with head torches lighting up glossy waterproofs, wet grass and the flashy lights we had strung around us so we could tell who was in our group.
This illustration is part of my WINTER’S BRIGHT exhibition currently on show at Serchia Gallery Bristol.
“Thrilling Snowdon Trek Report:
If like me, you enjoy distant landscape silhouettes and the sound of boisterous wind, then the trek was off to a winning start.
We left Llanberis at midnight and walked quietly through the drizzly residential roads before tarmac turned to stone and grass, and we were heading up the invisible mountain.
The higher we hiked the wetter, windier and darker it got, and after a couple of exciting hours our waterproofs and balance were being tested by the 45mph gusts.
The visibility started to close in as horizontal rain and cloud met us higher up the track. After a couple more stops to do head-counts and check we were all good, we "sheltered" behind a train track embankment. A guide went ahead to measure the wind speed, knowing that the next section was where conditions would only intensify.
The right call was made at Clogwyn station that to go on to the summit was "No fun and a whole lot of risk to manage" as the wind speeds would be greater, with zero shelter.
Although certainly a shame not to reach the top, to be 3/4 of the way up a mountain at 3am, and be told it's too dangerous to continue because of the intensifying weather conditions, is certainly one of my favourite walking experiences I've ever had. Let alone life affirming encounters with nature.
Thanks again to everyone who chipped in and helped our team raise over £8,000 for Samaritans - LEGENDS.
Big up to the other trekkers and guides for being solid crew, and love to those who need the charity's services the most.
Till next time, Snowdon...”
PETE HAZELL 19.10.21
So close!
Quite colourful despite the darkness