Hiking and climbing in Wales
I caught up with the Imperial Outdoor Club on their trip to Snowdonia.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
David (Engineering PhD) abseiling down the extremely photogenic Llanberis Slate Quarry.
Here are a few snapshots from the trip, click on any image to enlarge. The full selection of originals are available to view and download on the College’s Asset Library.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
It may of been around this point at the start, with the rain blowing upwards, that we realised that the weather was going to be challenging, the beauty hidden by a wall of water. Viewfinder soaked and misted, check, lenses soaked, check, everything i use to try and correct the situation, soaked the second i get it out, check.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Before we set off, for Thomas, the packed lunch production line was in full effect inside the hut, for Filip however, it was clearly still a bit too early.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Suzy deep into route planning for the day, it was imperative that we maximised mud, water and wind exposure, and inclines, definitely inclines.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Pau leading the way, setting off from Imperial College London’s Mountain Hut where the group were staying. The hut is located within the Snowdonia National Park, between Porthmadog and Caernarfon, approximately 3 miles from the western base of Snowdon. The facilities are simple but effective. The drain pipe in brand colours is a nice flourish that perhaps goes un-noticed by many.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
We’re arrived at the start… awesome, Mount Snowdon looks lovely, what a treat.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
The rain was only outdone by the wind, commence sideways hiking into the 80mph gusts. The stunning backdrop of the picturesque rolling beauty of the Snowdonia National Park completely invisible behind a white wall of misery mysterious opportunity and adventure.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
…to the point where just staying upright against the tornado started to become an issue.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Success! (kind of), and a seriously purposeful selfie stance from Yorgos, joined by a damp Micol and Abderrahim.
That clip from Yorgos Go-Pro (with a cameo from me at the end)
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Getting back down, could be considered easier for Micol and Aina than the journey up.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Micol (Research Postgraduate, Chemistry) get’s a little air at great speed.
Drying off by the fire back at the Hut, Filip wakes up to seize the prime fireplace spot.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
William (Research Postgraduate, Materials) regaling all with tales of derring-do.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Sunday and the rain finally eases off, to make way for the bitter cold, in order to facilitate proper climbing conditions at the Llanberis Slate quarry.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Yorgos (Postgraduate, Earth Science and Engineering) showing how it’s done while setting the path.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Another from the same series of images as the top image, but higher up with the aesthetic old house showing in the background, next image is me shooting in the same spot.
Image © Yorgos Chatzitheoklitos
Here’s a shot of me shooting the same shot as above, with a different member of the group slightly higher up.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Yorgos with extremely cold fingers, about to dramatically slip before regaining hold. It was so cold that the group had to frequently stop to reheat their numb fingers in their armpits on the slate climb…
ICOC, Imperial College Outdoor Club.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
David attends to the serious business on the ground, of keeping others off the ground.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Can’t fault the location.
Image © Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Climbing crew at Llanberis. From left to right top row : Abderrahim Boualam, Sophia Motteu, Mathieu Blachere, Todd Davies, Filip Novotny, Clemency Britton, George Kousouris, Yorgos Chatzitheoklitos.
Bottom row: George Muir, Matthias Kiesel, David Uribe Saenz de Camara.
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View all the images from this set
Imperial staff and students can view all 232 original images from this shoot on the Imperial College London Asset Library.
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