From left: Caerwyn Roberts, Alan Hinkes, Caroline White and Emyr Williams, chief executive of Snowdonia National Park Authority, celebrate the reopening. Photo: Alan Dop
A record-breaking British mountaineer helped officially reopen a youth hostel more than 1,000ft up on a Snowdonia pass.
Alan Hinkes, the only Briton to have summited all 14 of the world’s highest mountains, joined Snowdonia national park chairman Caerwyn Roberts at the ceremony at Pen-y-Pass.
Pupils from Beddgelert Primary School also attended the event at the YHA hostel, which has reopened after a £1.3m refit.
The hostel stands at the foot of three popular routes up Snowdon, including the grade-one scramble over Crib Goch.
Mr Roberts said: “We are 300m above sea level surrounded by stunning mountains. There is nowhere else in the world more suited to provide a location for such a magnificent youth hostel.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn about nature and the countryside. The interpretation work within YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is fantastic, giving information on local history and legends – all testament to the important history of this small corner of Wales.
“Now the refurbishment is complete we can be confident that people from all over the world will be able to come here and stay in affordable, welcoming accommodation to appreciate our wonderful landscape.”
The refurbishment included the installation of a biomass boiler at a cost of £167,000. It was part funded by Hostelling International after YHA (England and Wales) beat off stiff competition from youth hostels across the world to win the £25,000 sustainability fund prize.
As well as an 86 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, the new boiler has enabled YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass to reduce its heating costs. Before its installation the hostel spent £21,000 on heating oil, the highest spend across the entire YHA network of hostels in England and Wales.
Other contributions to the cost of the work at the hostel included a legacy left to YHA by the long-standing member of YHA’s Welsh regional council, walker, mountaineer and writer Tony Drake.
The Welsh Government, Visit Wales tourism investment support scheme, Snowdonia National Park Authority and Welsh Water also chipped in.
Caroline White, chief executive of YHA (England and Wales) said: “YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass welcomes thousands of young people with their schools and families every year giving everyone, whatever their backgrounds, the chance to enjoy educational and outdoor activities in this superb location.
“Our investment will help the youth hostel become even more financially sustainable, securing its future for many more generations of guests.”
YHA said it has worked hard to shed its former reputation of rickety bunk beds, sleeping bags, compulsory membership, chores and 1960s dormitories. It said its modern and comfortable accommodation is now open to everyone, though YHA members still enjoy a discount.
Facilities at the refurbished hostel include public toilets and showers for day walkers; a new self-catering kitchen for residents; a new games room and classroom and a cafe and bar open to both residents and the public.
