Two days ago (19th), Carillion workers left Snowdon's summit for the last time in 2007. Near enough the same time as last winter - see the difference a year makes by clicking here. The windows of Hafod Eryri are shuttered, the scaffolding has been dropped and most of the fencing has been taken down, giving the clearest view so far of the overall shape and form of the new building.


The partially granite clad southern end of Hafod Eryri with the summit behind.

During the recent lengthy spell of clear skies, the aluminium Kalzip 'wrapper' has been catching the afternoon sun, turning it into a beacon clearly visible from Anglesey. But don't worry, all that will change when it is clad with stone. Finishing this blockwork and adding the granite cover to the roof will be a priority when the workforce return to the top of Snowdon, most likely in late March 2008.


Hafod Eryri viewed from a few metres below Snowdon's summit.

Setting a date for getting back to work on Hafod Eryri also depends on Snowdon Mountain Railway having completed essential track maintenance. It will then be an all out effort to complete the project by the early summer.


Detail of the intricate granite blockwork at the southern end of the building.

Inside Hafod Eryri, the mechanical (heating and extraction system) and the electrical first fixes are well on their way. Finishing the interior of the building is less problematic now it is secured against the elements; just so long as the train isn't prevented by high winds or snow from making it up the mountain in the first place.


The service wing illuminated by the setting sun.

Carillion Regional Director, Meirion Evans, had this to say at the close of work for 2007:

“I can’t praise the team on the summit enough; everyman has taken up the challenge and despite the terrible weather through the summer; to be where we are is a testament to their commitment.
 
I wish everyone involved in the project and the members of the public who have shown such interest a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and hope that Mother Nature is kinder to us all in the New Year”

Not your usual walk to work in the morning.

If the train ferrying the workers to Snowdon's summit had a public address system in the carriage, then a short distance above Clogwyn station this morning, it would have crackled into life with an announcement along the lines of: "We regret that the 8.15 Llanberis - Yr Wyddfa service will be terminating overlooking Clogwyn Coch owing to hard packed snow on the track. Anyone wishing to proceed to the summit will have to do so by foot. Snowdon Mountain Railway once again offers its apologies for conditions outside of its control."


An icy summit braved by a few walkers and the Hafod Eryri workers.

And so the day-glo clad work force set-off on foot to complete their journey to work. Gazing around at a clear northern Snowdonia for a change, Assistant Site Supervisor George Owen, commented that it definitely beat driving up the A55. The cold dry northerly air was a marked contrast from recent wind and rain. It's from one extreme to another. For the last month you could probably count on one hand the number of times the summit has been clear - hence the gap in blog postings. Last week winds of 128 mph were recorded by the Clogwyn weather station and the men only got to the top on two occasions.


Work will continue on the stone-work at southern end of building in the Spring.

No wonder this has meant the contractor's plan of leaving the mountain by last Friday (7th) for the winter has had to be put back to this coming one. Construction work has stopped and the priority is to safely secure the site with shutters over the windows, scaffolding dismantled and all the equipment including the generator taken back down the mountain. However, aside from the train not being able to reach the top and frustrating frozen locks, the biggest difficulty caused by the cold today was the generator not working - water from condensation in the fuel tanks had turned to ice in the diesel filter. It was to the teams' credit that they got on with what they could under the circumstances. A mobile phone with a thermometer recorded a temperature of -7°C. The 8 ton excavator tracked down to Clogwyn Station in weak sunshine at the end of the day to be in place to pick up a replacement generator ordered for tomorrow - it's unlikely the snow will have thawed by the morning.


The excavator tracking back down at the end of the day. Tomorrow it'll bring
another generator back up (see larger version among others in December '07
photos folder on the left).

Fortunately the weather forecast for the rest of this week is a lot calmer than of late so this will in all likelihood be the last week's work for the winter - the Railway don't stop for the Christmas break until the end of next week so there are few days in hand if needed.


Awaiting home-train at the end of a very cold day.