In true winging it style there was a two week time frame from being asked, to saying yes, and then taking on the Snowdon climb. I mean who needs to stop and take weeks or months to decide if they want to hike up a mountain without any prep? But what an awesome way to say goodbye to my 31st year and hello to the next!
The night before we set off my walking buddy asked me what I was most looking forward to about the climb. I thought about it for a second and then admitted that I was heading into it with no expectation. No hopes of how it would go, or without preconceptions of what I expected.
One thing I did know for sure was that I needed to be armed with lots of snacks, as let's face it no one wants to be hangry half way up a mountain. If the trip taught me anything it's that I'm now a firm contender for the next series of SAS Who Dares Wins after successfully reaching the summit of a mountain with 40kg of carbs in my Bergen rucksack.
Tying up my walking boots on the morning of the climb I still had zero expectation of what laid before me. Soon into our adventure I was very grateful that I invested in a good pair of said walking boots and snug socks.. both come highly recommended. We passed a couple of hikers later on during our descent sporting a pair of Nikes and I'm not sure they would have had feet left by the end.
We set off up the Miners path which gave us the opportunity to witness an everchanging scenery and was a perfect combination of more gentle (ish) terrain with some clambering. Shout out to my nail tech for all 10 of my nails staying fully intact. The higher we climbed the more beautiful it became as the landscape literally transformed before us. This particular path was also home to the most stunning and unexpected lakes.
After reaching the summit we ventured back down the Llanberis route. I am by no means now claiming to be some sort of hiking expert but I would highly recommend doing this route if you're a first timer. It gave a real all round experience.
On both the ascent and descent we experienced moments where the mist immersed us into a blanket of zero visibility. Then within seconds, as if by magic, the wind blew and carried that blanket away revealing the most breath taking views. At no point did this change in conditions make us turn back. Our speed may have lessened but momentum up the mountain continued as we knew the path we were heading up. This got me thinking about life. How we are surrounded by such beauty and adventure yet sometimes something blocks our path, or clouds our outlook. Despite this meaning some things may have to be adapted it's always important to remember this time too shall pass. Life is still going on around us even if in that split second we can't quite see where we are heading.
That said, as we reached the summit the mist shrouded us once again and we couldn't see a thing. Tom Hardy could have been standing nude at the top and I would have been none the wiser!! It was during this moment I realised having no expectation worked in my favour. It meant even after several hours of climbing up the side of a mountain I didn't feel failure or disappointment the fact we reached the summit and couldn't see a thing. All I felt was happiness and a sense of achievement in the fact we had reached the top. I didn't care that we couldn't see the views, or the fact it was blowing an absolute hoolie. I mean don't get me wrong it would have been nice to catch a glimpse of it, but I'm not complaining.
I pinky promise this is me at the top and not just stood in front of a white wall in the B&B!!
I've noticed a pattern of behaviour most of us adopt as we get older. The over planning and leading with presumption and preconception. As a child we've yet to learn about consequences or being let down so everything is just one big adventure and excitement. Little ones never really head into anything thinking about what to expect. I realise this was exactly how I stepped into this challenge. How leading with an open mind and no expectations gave way to enjoying every part of the experience. The experience ended up being far greater and more precious this way as no matter what the outcome there is always something to be taken from it. Try it...I promise you won't be disappointed.
This was an epic adventure that I'm so chuffed I said yes to and I can't wait to get my walking boots back out for the next one.
I have also done a little post all about Llanberis itself which you can read about here.
Here's to many more adventures.
x
No comments
Post a Comment