The exceptionally fine spring weather of the past couple of weeks has allowed the construction of Hafod Eryri at Snowdon's summit to stay on schedule. Only one day's work has recently been lost and that was due to high winds. Work is continuing apace to complete the foundations with the train ferrying skips of ready mixed concrete up the mountain.


Scooping concrete out of the skip and pouring it over the shuttered
reinforced steel framework of the stitcher.

Learning from their experience of the first delivery of concrete to the summit, the quality of the mix has been enhanced by Cemex, the World's biggest supplier of ready mixed concrete. They commented that this has certainly been one of their more unusual orders with unique challenges.


Workers ensuring the mix is homogenous using 'poker vibrators'.

A super plasticiser has been added, reducing the amount of water needed but still keeping the mix workable, together with a retarder to hold back the set. Added polypropylene fibres prevent the mix segregating and bleeding (too much water coming to the surface) while it is being transported. These fibres also guard against frost attack and make the set concrete more durable.


Filling the skips in the yard at Llanberis with ready-mix prior to being loaded
on to the train.

Last Wednesday the first delivery of shiny galvanised steel-work arrived in Llanberis, all numbered like a giant Meccano construction kit.


The freshly galvanised steel framework of Hafod Eryri.


Yeti, the name of the engine pulling the flat-bed truck
up to the summit and is "Dedicated To All Creatures
Of The Mountains Living And Legendary".