Our day started at 5:45 am Sunday 6th July, all bleary eyed and not looking the best! (maybe it was just me having a bad hair day - Bro & Maj don't have any!). We spent about 20 minutes getting ourselves ready for the journey ahead, making sure we packed the essentials walking boots, waterproofs, food, water, can of stella for the top, blister plasters and a packet of Pro Plus.
All checked and loaded in the car we set off on our journey to Snowdon, listening to a bit of loud music to wake us all up. I don't think we needed loud music though as the smells coming from the car was enough to wake the dead! We blamed Maj's Magic Mash he made for tea the night before!

About an hour into our journey we decided it was time to stop for a spot of breakfast at Macdonalds. This is where we met up with Lee and Kenny our experienced climbers who were to be our guides for the day. All fed and ready to go we carried on with our journey, driving in weather which was one minute cracking the flags, then the next lashing it down. This was to be pretty much how the rest of the day went.

At 8:30 am we arrived at Pen-y-Pass which is at the bottom of Snowdon. There is a car park there with a small cafe and thankfully toilets (must have been Maj's Mash!). All geared up we started our walk up the Miners Track in the pouring rain feeling a little apprehensive as to what we were about to be faced with. Bro, Lee and Kenny kept reassuring us and not to worry as we would be going at our own pace. At this point I wished I had booked Monday off work!

The Miners Track was a great start to the day with the views being breathtaking (not the dead sheep though!). We took plenty of photographs along the way mostly in the pouring rain. Well what can I say we finally got to the bottom of the mountain that is Snowdon after about an hour and a half, this is where I looked up and nearly wet myself. We could only see part of it as the rest was covered with clouds. Was this the time to turn back? NO chance. All we kept thinking about was doing this for our Jack and Ali. So a few deep breaths and a quick toilet stop (behind a rock) it was time to focus and make it to the top. I have to say I thought it was a lot worse than what Bro had described it to me we were not just walking but on our hands and knees at times climbing. At one point (at quite a few points really) we sat to take in the amazing views of the reservoirs down below. On one of our stops I turned to ask Maj how he was feeling, as he suffers from asthma, he was off with a spring in his step. Fighting through the pain barrier I followed. Needless to say I was lagging behind and I thought to myself I wish I had eaten a lot less take aways and drank less beer.


Climbing Snowdon on a Sunday morning in the pouring rain would have been the last thing I would of expected to be doing, but knowing we were doing this for Jack made the experience more enjoyable and exhilarating. We were just about half way up when we began to meet with people coming down, some telling us how long we had to go and others telling us what great views there were from the top (ha ha!). We were determined to do it! I could not tell you how relieved I was when Lee said we had about ten minutes to the top. We were really going to do it! Maj, Kenny and Lee made it to the top as I struggled on with Bro pushing me those last few steps. I thought I was going to collapse! How unfit am I? I could hear Maj shouting but could not see because of the clouds. Bro said I had a spring in my step as I got to the top.

At last the summit - out came the can of stella (check out the pics). We climbed all that way and could not see a damn thing, but that really didn't matter the sense of achievement was far greater. Out came the butties and we made a few phone calls to tell everyone we had made it to the top. I even got a message from Annie & Guy in Australia wishing us luck. I did give them a wave from the top but the clouds were in the way.

Time for our descent down the Pyg-Track, this again was not easy (especially for us less experienced). If it wasn't for my walking stick thingy we found I think I would have ended up on my backside. Lee and Kenny were great they made sure we were safe and enjoyed our experience. I think I can safely say it was 'bloody brilliant'. A well earned pint at the pub at the bottom then back in the car to head home. Complete with a few cramps. Bro was in agony with a leg cramp so Maj offered to give him a rub, I had walkers cramp in my thumb from holding my stick thingy!

WOO HOO WE DID IT! Would definitely do it again (not just yet though) Just feeling the pain in my legs right now is not pleasant and I believe it gets worse 2 days after. Can't wait!

Will let you all know how much we have raised, it is looking like well over £500. Lee is going doing it again in a couple of weeks raising more money for Jack.

MORE PICS COMING SOON FROM BRO (his are much better than mine!)