The scene today facing contractors trying to finish Hafod Eryri, compared with that of two weeks ago, is a remarkable transformation. It took two days after the last blog posting for the digger to clear a passage through the snow so the train could reach Snowdon's summit. The train is essential for getting the men to work and ferrying supplies up the mountain. But now with the winter conditions dramatically replaced by sultry spring weather, work at the summit is steadily gathering momentum.


The Hafod Eryri construction site will be a hive of activity over the coming
weeks.

Forty-five contractors filled the carriage this morning. The contractor R.G. Owen had six stone masons heading up to the top of Yr Wyddfa: all tasked with cladding the shiny Kalzip skin with granite block-work. Soon they'll be fifteen men on that job to move it along quicker. The blocks require time-consuming dressing before being secured with mortar.


Rob Owen with a wooden template to help turn a difficult corner with
the stone-work.

The scaffolding is going back-up and the Heras fencing around the site has been reinstated. Inside Hafod Eryri, a three metre deep by two-and-a-half metre wide walk-in freezer has been fitted, the granite floor in the cafe area has been virtually finished and the shop-fitters are about to start panelling the walls.  A time capsule due to be opened in fifty years time has been placed under the cafe floor.


Inscription on cafe floor where the time capsule is buried.


Gareth Griffith, Site Engineer, surveying the summit plate to check the radius
grid lines for the building plan.

Despite steadily rising temperatures snow has continued to prevent Snowdon Mountain Railway from taking workers to Snowdon's summit. However, today the train couldn't even reach the snow-line. It had to stop below Clogwyn owing to winds  gusting up to 50 m.p.h. A few workmen set off walking to look at the condition of the snow with a view to possibly 'tracking down' a machine from the summit to dig out the line.


An animated Roger Pinney from BBC Wales interviewing Carillion Regional
Director, Meirion Evans.

For camera crews and reporters on a press trip organised by the National Park, the high winds meant they had to observe the snow and cloud covered summit from a distance. Addressing the media, Carillion's Regional Director, Meirion Evans described the late snowfalls as "unbelievable" and said: "It's been very frustrating for the workmen, getting up in the early hours and heading up the mountain but being unable to reach the top. I've huge admiration for them. There are 12 weeks of work left to do."


Carillion Regional Director, Meirion Evans, scrutinising an anenometer
for the cameras.

Snowdonia National Park Chief Executive, Aneurin Phillips, had some good news from the Welsh European Funding Office. They have extended the deadline to early Autumn for completing the building and drawing down the £4.2 million grant funds.


The building as it was on Wednesday 16.4.08.

Last Friday, winds were averaging 85 m.p.h. at Clogwyn gusting to 113 m.p.h. around lunchtime. On the Beaufort scale winds in the range 73-83 m.p.h. are described as Hurricane Force. But these figures are eclipsed by the 132 m.ph. gust recorded on February 25th this year; very likely the highest wind speed recorded at Clogwyn this decade.

Workers on the new summit building have been unable to make it to the top for the last two days owing to consolidated snow covering the railtracks from just below Clogwyn Station upwards. In fact, since the last posting, weather more typical of mid-winter has continuously hindered progress, prompting utterances from the work-force of: "so much for global warming".

 
Digging out the line this morning, a short distance below Clogwyn Station.

No work took place in the week following Easter owing to blizzard conditions. Each of the two subsequent weeks have begun with having to uncover the railway line using the mechanical digger 'tracked down' from the summit after the driver has walked up to get it.


The back of the new summit building on Monday morning.


Rime encrusted bull-nose at the front of Hafod Eryri on Monday morning.

However, with the freeze/thaw cycle on this side of the mountain, the snow has now lost its loose consistency, firmly packing down with an icy surface. Freezing temperatures at night make the snow surface particularly slippery for the first few hours in the morning and the upper reaches of Snowdon require an awareness of winter hill-walking hazards. Getting to or bringing the digger down isn't an option at present, so today the men had to resort to uncovering the rails with shovels, reaching as far as Clogwyn.


The central rack has to be cleared of ice after it has been uncovered.

This is the longest period snow has stayed on Snowdon all winter and it's mid-April! The day-time freezing level isn't forecast to rise above 1000 metres for the next three days so it will not be going anywhere fast. While the snow-capped high peaks have made for pretty viewing, especially in the typical afternoon sunshine of late, you can be sure the contractors are not as appreciative of the 'white-stuff'.

Work has restarted on Snowdon's new summit building a month earlier than planned. Thanks to track maintenance being completed without any unforseen problems over the winter by the Mountain Railway, a small team from Carillion got back up the mountain at the end of Feruary (25th) and picked up from where they left off in December 2007. It was initially thought they would not return until March 24th.


The flat area at the rear of the building will be covered with scree.

May 10th was the hoped for completion date when the project commenced but the crucial finishing deadline to qualify for European funding is early summer. The battered state of much of the Heras fencing that was left in place around the site gives an idea of how ferocious conditions can be at over 1000 metres above sea-level together with being utterly exposed to Atlantic storms.

 
The platform area with the blue fibreglass rainwater run-off tank waiting to be
lowered into the excavation on the left.

After a good first week's progress, in which the hole for installing the water tank for collecting run-off from the roof was dug and rock dispersal over the 'terrace area' was started, the weather closed-in, stopping any further work for over a week. A fine Spring, like we had last year, allowing momentum to be kept going will make a huge difference to the timetable. You can be sure there will be few people paying as much attention to the coming months weather forecasts as those responsible for delivering a finished Hafod Eryri to the National Park Authority.


Screed for the cafe floor pumped into the building prior to being levelled.

On Monday the train set off for the top from Llanberis at 7a.m. but was stopped by hard-packed snow on the line a short distance above Clogwyn Station. It was necessary to bring the excavator down the track from the summit to dig out the snow so the train could get through. And after this coming Easter weekend they may find that the track will need digging out again. The last time Easter was this early in the year was 1913.


The run-off tank will hold 10,000 litres of water collected from the roof.

Today, it was bitterly cold on the summit but inside Hafod Eryri with the gas heaters on it was relatively pleasant. The men screeding the floor even had a sweat-on. So long as the weather allows the train to reach the summit then interior work can continue unaffected by outside conditions, although progress on the exterior stone cladding and granite roof will clearly be dictated by the elements.


Rain water collected in this tank will be used for flushing the toilets.

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.

Part of the inscription on the south entrance wall.

At the south entrance, the stone masons following architects plans, have just completed laying a course of blocks with the inscription: 'The summit of Snowdon. Here, you are nearer To heaven'. It will also appear a couple of courses higher up the wall in Welsh. Inside the building itself, erecting all the internal walls is nearly complete and work has begun on laying the thick granite tile flooring. Staying with the subject of stone, there is an interesting thread on the Country Walking Messageboards discussing the steps recently built up to the summit cairn from the building and featured here in Sept 27th and October postings.


Granite block-work at the south entrance.

While surrounding peaks cleared of cloud during the afternoon, Snowdon's summit remained hidden, as so often, in a stubborn chilly mist. The occasional brightening of the sky promised but never delivered any clear spells. Looking ahead, the soothsayers are predicting a stormy month of weather.


The firm Alan Lancaster from Abergele laying the granite tile flooring.

Although Snowdon Mountain Railway closed its doors to the public on Sunday for the winter, it still continues to take the summit contractors to the summit and back. Despite the poor summer weather, having one engine less (being used by Carillion) and only running as far as Clogwyn Station, the trains carried just over 125,000 passengers in the period starting from the last day of March. Not as short as you might have expected from last year's figure of 131,000 when the train went to the top of Snowdon.


Workmen lining up at the platform's edge as the 2:30 train approaches.

The working day at the summit is very short at this time of year: the train left Llanberis today at 7:45 a.m. and the summit at 2:30 p.m. It is necessary to leave the mountain so early on the grounds of Health and Safety, so that if a train broke down there would be sufficient daylight left to send another train to collect the passengers.

Work at the summit has been greatly helped of late by high pressure weather giving clear skies and generally low winds. Last week, local stonemasons R.G.Owen, began laying the granite blocks at the back of Hafod Eryri that will make up the exterior of the building.


The first courses of granite stone cladding at the back of Hafod Eryri.

Each stone that originated from Cwt Y Bugail quarry near Blaenau Ffestiniog has to be skillfully dressed with a hammer and chisel before being cemented into place. If you recall the test panel built in the yard (see June 17th posting), the walls have the added complication of being designed with a twist in them. This feature is intended as a means of shedding off the exceptionally strong summit winds the building will have to withstand.


Fitting the granite bullnose.

The stone bullnose that edges the roof is close to being finished apart from the corner stones which will have to wait for a few weeks. Better fitting new corner sections are on order from Portugal.


The different textured granite used on the roof can clearly be seen.

Down in the Llanberis yard the drinking water tanks for Hafod Eryri have arrived from the company Precolor. The two 3.5m high one piece fibre-glass tanks took 6 weeks to make and will weigh six tons each when they are full of water. They were factory tested and proven before being sent out. At the end of each season the tanks will be drained down.


One of the two 3.5m tall drinking water tanks from Precolor.

Snowdonia National Park have provided some background to the recent footpath construction around the summit covered in previous postings:

“The footpaths to the summit have seriously and slowly deteriorated over the last few years, but the building of HafodEryri has now given us an opportunity to restore and repair these footpaths. Both projects work hand in hand and we have been very pleased with the work completed so far by the local stonemason, Alan Jones of Pentrefoelas. The style of the footpath construction from the rear of the building to the summit is more formal than the usual footpath repair but this reflects the needs of the different type of users to the summit.

"At least 160,000 people of all ages and all abilities travel to the summit by train every year and unfortunately, a large percentage of these people are not suitably clad for a walk over steep and very uneven ground. The work currently being undertaken on the footpaths to the cairn will also ensure that the summit of Snowdon will be more accessible to all in future.”


Hafod Eryri on a pleasant October morning.

Currently, the first Snowdon 'commuter' train in the morning is packed with workmen of all trades, as the new summit building project pushes ahead on all fronts, bolstered by the recent spell of benign weather.


Inside what will become the cafe area of Hafod Eryri with the upper windows
looking out on the summit.

Up on the roof, the first course of the roughest grade granite blocks has been started. The granite blocks used comprise of four different surface textures with the smoothest seven courses at the the edge, gradually getting rougher as you work inwards. The centre of the roof will effectively appear as an oval of the roughest granite.


The uppermost course of granite blocks is the first one of twenty-three courses
that will use the roughest grade featuring on the roof.

It is a time consuming process as all the blocks have to be measured and drilled, with pins and glue inserted, before they are slotted into position. This work undertaken by the Merseyside firm, Stone Central, featured last week in the Liverpool Echo newspaper.


The large windows on the western side of the building.

Carillion, who are responsible for the project, plan to keep working at the summit into the winter and finish as close to Christmas as the weather will allow. It was December 18th last year when this blog carried a posting titled 'Tools Down for the Winter'.


Hafod Eryri clad in scaffolding seen from the south.

The first fix of the electrics is due to start this week and the underfloor heating will shortly be fitted with a layer of sand and cement on top of that before the granite floor is layed. The good weather at the end of last week meant the helicopter contracted by the National Park was kept busy flying white bags of stone to the summit for path building.


National Park contractors working on the paths around the summit area.

The main part of the summit building (cafe and kitchen area) is now looking a lot closer to being a finished structure. Importantly, as winter approaches, installation of the the windows has been completed and the roof made watertight, meaning Hafod Eryri is now weatherproof. The internal walls consisting of Rockwool panels with good insulation and fireproof properties are currently being fitted.


Hafod Eryri with the windows fitted and the bull-nose around the edge of the
roof nearly completed.

However, high winds during September haven't helped the project make up for lost time due to the poor summer weather; in one week during September no work took place for five days. According to Carillion's Regional Director: "the project is now three weeks behind schedule and the shortening hours of daylight isn't going to help this situation."


Granite blocks being fitted to the roof of Hafod Eryri.

Any recent visitor to the top of Snowdon can not have failed to notice the National Park Authority's work to 'landscape' the summit area with two sets of granite steps to make it easier for train passengers to make the short walk up the badly eroded slope to the top from the new building.


Path work at Snowdon's summit by the National Park is in progress.

There is a press trip organised to visit the summit redevelopments in the second week of October so expect to be seeing some TV and newspaper coverage in the near future.


The steelwork of the service-wing.