On the weekend of the 15th-17th January 2016 10 members stayed at the Bala bunkhouse in Snowdonia.
The bunkhouse is a converted 18th century building, accommodating up to 26 people in the bunkhouse and two annexes. Thankfully we had it to ourselves otherwise it would have been very crowded. It was very cold when we arrived but we soon got it warmed up with the aid of the calor gas heater provided. The bedrooms were above the living area accessed by an outside staircase – a feature that the web site omitted to mention, which made going to the toilet in the night a rather chilly experience, the toilets being on the ground floor.
As it was a snowy weekend we were keen to get out. Louisa set off with the purpose of walking the length of Bala lake and onto the Arans. Colin, Keith, Michele and Helen climbed an increasingly snowy Arenig Fawr 854m. Walking through deep snow was tiring and we had the added challenge of a stiff breeze and whiteout conditions on the top. A third group walked directly from the bunkhouse on lower slopes but the going was made difficult by snow and thick heather. Everyone got back to the now cosy bunkhouse to enjoy a group meal and social evening.