LOST in The Lonely Mountain!!

The Way to Lonely Mountain, SIABOD.

We got to Snowdonia last Saturday late afternoon, after unpacking all the stuff and putting the new awning up, we were all exhausted and didn't want to go out for the day. We have a quiet night in enjoying our new caravan eventhough we struggled how to get the heater to work and been cold all night! We were not very organise so we could not have a spanner to tighten the gas bottle, so no cooking; no screw driver to tighten the battery but it didn't affect us at all as we were all hook up.

On Sunday, we went to explore the local area. The campsite is located right in the heart of Snowdonia so there are many places we can go walking but we have to put the dogs on the lead if we see any animals in the field.

Saturn, The Lion Sheltie!The Evil & Wicked Combinations!
Always the dopey one, Seagull.

He is the boss, Sing.

On Monday, we were all ready for our first mountain hiking. I printed out some walks on the Internet and before going Colin chose to visit the Lonely Mountain, SIABOD (http://snowdonian-walking.co.uk/siabod.htm). We took it easy and didn't go out till 10am. By the time we get to the bottom of of Siabod, it was nearly 11am but according to the map, it is only 6 miles and it said allow yourself 4 hours. We thought we have plenty of time, so off we go, following the track. The first part of the walk was perfect, no problem at all but when we got to the ridge, we didn't know which way to go and the map isn't very clear either. We cannot find anymore food path or track and it started to get dark. I started to get panic and at the same time, Seagull decided he wanted to go a different way, suddenly everything seems wrong. We lost Seagull and most of all, we lost our way back!! I guess why it is called The Lonely Mountain. I don't think I will want to go again!! Anyway, after losing the track and fighthing the get the way out for one hour, Colin suggested we go back the way we came. Looking at the sky, I have to agree with him, the going back journey is very stressful. Sing, now has another new name, the Otter kept running to the lakes, we didn't lose him but I like him to be in my sight as the day is getting darker; Seagull still tempeted to run off (I don't know why?), so he has to be on the lead. Both my foot got stuck in the swamp and finally had a good fall and got myself all wet and muddy!! The weather is getting freeezing cold ... oh dear, not a good choice. We have to do a few climbing to get over to the other side of the lake to get back to the track, by the time we got back to civilisation it was dark but still we don't know where the car park is!! Colin spent another half an hour to find the car while I stay with the dogs at the local Inn for a cup of tea, well, of course we have to stay in their beer garden and stay freezing!

Stop for a quick snack to refill the energy level

This is the lake where we started to lose our track

Was he really happy after struggling to get to civilisation?