Snowdon Experience- 6.3.10

Well we had a camping trip this weekend with the aim of climbing Snowdon in Wales. There is a large ability range within the group ranging from those with little experience (but lots of enthusiasm) to those with a lot of experience and technical ability.
4 of us did Snowdon on the Saturday, a couple couldn't attempt it due to car trouble and recovering from major surgery. I have climbed Snowdon 15- 20 times so off we set on our Merry way for a nice trip up the pig trail (tourist route). Well I can tell you all now that it was one of the hardest experiences I've ever had on Snowdon. This was due to a lot of snow and my lack of walking poles for grip. We passed many people coming down wearing crampons, with ice axes, walking poles etc etc. I must admit I had a little snigger at the crampons on a tourist route- seemed a little extreme! I was eating my words at the top and our group all promised to buy pairs of crampons upon return.
Normally wide paths were narrow ledges and the drops seemed more extreme. The volume of people made passing very difficult and the whole picture seemed more suitable for the Himalayas than a Welsh mountain! We made it to the top with a bit of sweat and were greeted by fantastic views in glorious sunshine. We settled for returning an easier way and followed the submerged train tracks back.
The real fun was just about to begin. The next morning we were having breakfast in 'Pete's eats' in llanberis. One of the boys came in the queue, excited, saying Kate Silverton was in the next room. Who? I'd never heard of her but was soon informed she was a celebrity BBC reporter. She passed us in the queue and collected her large Teas. One of the boys got chatting to her and mentioned we were on Snowdon yesterday. Turns out she is doing the 3 peaks challenge for Sports relief. She said to us you should come on the radio and we can ask you about conditions yesterday on the mountain. I asked whether it was for TV or Radio- if it was for TV then I was by far the best looking of the group ha ha! It was for Radio and right enough someone else from the group went on the radio.
Back at the breakfast table someone commented that Sir Clive Woodward had just passed in the car. Soon he entered the Cafe followed by Sir Steve Redgrave. They were all doing the 3 peaks challenge with Phil Packer (who suffered severe spinal injuries in 2008). I sat next to Steve Redgrave and watched our mate being interviewed on the radio. I briefly told him about what it was like yesterday in the snow. I think he was expecting an easy jaunt in the sun and was beginning to worry that there may be a little more effort involved. He was a nice guy and very easy to talk to. When being interviewed he said 'I was just chatting to a chap who has climbed Snowdon quite a few times and he said yesterday was the hardest he'd ever experienced'. That chap was me so I'd had my moment of fame ha ha.
Our group made a donation to the event and we left the Cafe for home with a happy buzz at the memories that had been made. A good weekend and a great breakfast!