Time to hang up your boots

The picture of Hilary and Tensing at Base Camp 1 in 1953, together with their boots from the '53 Everest expedition.

I'm often asked which is the best hotel in Snowdonia. The answer of course depends on what you are looking for. If you want an early start to get up Snowdon mountain then the Snowdon Ranger Hostel is for you. If you want luxury then the Seiont Manor is hard to beat. If you want a charming atmosphere then the Royal Goat is a good choice.

But if you are looking for somewhere that evokes the atmosphere of the past and the roots of the great climbing tradition of Snowdonia then there is only one place and that is the PYG, the Pen y Gwryd Hotel which can be found near the Roman camp at the junction of the A4086 and the A498 - just 5 miles west of Capel Curig. www.pyg.co.uk.

Memorabilia from every member of the lead party in the expedition.

Signatures on the ceiling from the leading members of the party - don't try this at home!

Memorabilia at the hotel covers the whole history of climbing in Wales.

And the bar's good too!