I’ve frolicked dwelling in England, Scotland, Switzerland and Russia. So that you would possibly discover it stunning that regardless of my intensive travels, I had by no means been to Wales.
It’s simply lower than a 3 hour drive from my hometown to the Welsh border so I don’t actually have any good excuses for why I hadn’t been.
When a good friend of mine advised that we climb Mount Snowdon collectively, I jumped on the likelihood.
Not solely as a result of it was one other peak to tick off my listing however as a result of it meant I’d lastly enterprise into Wales.
Why climb Mount Snowdon?
Mount Snowdon, or extra exactly, Yr Wyddfa is the second highest mountain peak in Britain at an altitude of 1,085 metres.
I climbed England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike about 10 years in the past with my dad and so Snowdon felt like an ideal pure development. (If I ultimately resolve to climb Ben Nevis - Scotland’s and Britain’s highest mountain - that’ll be Britain’s ‘three peaks’ accomplished.)
Myself, two buddies and a little bit canine named Bella, bundled into the automotive in Manchester one sunny morning this summer season.
It was simply over a two hour drive from there, alongside lovely shoreline, to the place we had determined to start out our hike.
Easy methods to climb Yr Wyddfa
There are six major paths to the summit of Mount Snowdon. In keeping with Go to Wales, the Llanberis path is the best and really useful for first time guests to the mountain. It's, nonetheless, additionally the longest route at round 14.5km.
It’s completely important to pre-plan your route in line with the power of everybody in your group as every path varies in issue and terrain enormously.
One of the crucial widespread locations to park is the Pen y Cross automotive park at Llanberis however don’t neglect to pre-book it upfront. All of the areas had been crammed up a number of days upfront after we went, so we ended up selecting a distinct route and parking elsewhere.
The route we took on the best way up was the Rhyd Ddu path. It’s a 12km trek however one of many quieter trails and for essentially the most half, has pretty manageable terrain.
It’s solely in the direction of the highest the place there are two barely trickier spots. The primary was a piece which required some scrambling - when you’re not nimble sufficient to climb up rocks, I’d keep away from this route.
The second was a slender path with very steep drops on both aspect. Although the views had been unbelievable, this part did give me the willies a bit. Fortunately this doesn’t go on for too lengthy and my shaky legs rapidly turned sturdy once more. An excellent reminder that, if you have not acquired a head for heights, this isn’t the trail for you.
What to pack to climb Mount Snowdon?
I very stupidly, unintentionally left my strolling boots at my good friend’s home so ended up doing the climb in my trainers. Although they did present me with sufficient grip (it was a dry day) and had been comfortable, some elements of the route had been boggy so by the top of the day my sneakers, socks and ft had been extremely moist. Suppose six-hours-in-the-bath degree of wrinkly toes.
We had been actually fortunate with the climate on the day we climbed but it surely’s essential to verify circumstances earlier than you go as it could be too dangerous to aim the summit.
For a lot of the day I wore a sporty tech-fabric t-shirt and a down jacket. I additionally made certain to pack further layers, together with a water-resistant and a bobble hat into my backpack. I didn’t want both thankfully however you’ll be stunned how chilly you would possibly get when ready on the prime or stopping for a picnic.
To maintain myself stuffed with vitality I opted to pack numerous snacks to graze on all through the day, slightly than only a single sandwich for lunch. Cake, fruit, crisps, crackers, scotch eggs and cocktail sausages actually hit the spot.
However what was vitally essential was water. I took my giant 800ml bottle and admittedly it was solely simply sufficient. On the descent down, I rationed my water and solely completed it off once I knew we had been near the automotive. Should you can, I’d suggest packing greater than that.
As soon as we acquired to the underside, we popped right into a pub to revitalise ourselves with a big tender drink (actually, it wasn’t beer!) and a few extra snacks.
What to not do at Mount Snowdon
Though there's a tough estimate of how lengthy it would take to climb every route up Snowdon, be sure you enable further time in case you want extra relaxation stops alongside the best way.
You’ll additionally discover that it could be very busy on the prime. Though the Rhyd Ddu path was quiet, on the summit there was a queue for at the least 30 minutes to take a photograph with the cairn. You don’t need your Instagram photoshoot to be the reason for you strolling in the dead of night on the finish of the day.
It took us round 3 hours to get to the highest. We then waited half-hour in a queue for the cairns earlier than sitting down for a picnic.
Poor little Bella was getting a bit drained however similar to us, after a sit down and a few snacks, she was prepared for the descent.
On the best way down, we determined to take the Snowdon Ranger path to keep away from having to climb again down the scramble part of Rhyd Ddu. As soon as we had been close to the underside, we may see our automotive within the distance and so determined to take a ‘short-cut’ throughout a area.
Reader, this was not a shortcut. It took us round 3hours 40minutes to succeed in our automotive. Don’t be like us, follow the paths.
Necessary issues to find out about Mount Snowdon
Should you’ve heard something about Snowdon earlier than, chances are you'll know that there's a prepare to the highest.
Nevertheless, it's at the moment not operating all the best way to the height, and received’t be till 2023. So when you’re going to climb Snowdon this yr, you’ll should do each methods on foot. I fairly appreciated the thought of getting the prepare down and spending the afternoon within the pub however alas it wasn’t to be.
Moreover, as a result of the prepare isn’t operating all the best way to the highest, the bathrooms on the summit are additionally not open. Be sure you get comfy earlier than you set off after which if it's worthwhile to go while strolling, you’ll should do what I prefer to name ‘a wild wee’.
Is it price climbing Mount Snowdon?
Briefly, sure.
We had been extremely fortunate with the climate the day we went - the sky was clear and so we may see all throughout Wales, Anglesey and even the Isle of Man.
The panorama is unbelievable shades of inexperienced and my good friend likened it to that of New Zealand.
On the best way house, we stopped into Betws-y-Coed for some dinner. It’s a phenomenal little city and actually definitely worth the go to if in case you have time. Plus the drive from Rhyd-Ddu takes you previous much more fantastic landscapes.
Together with the two hour drive every approach, it ended up fairly an extended day however for the unbelievable views, the endorphins of the hike and time spent with good buddies, it was positively a time out price doing.
Watch the video above to be taught extra about climbing Mount Snowdon.
Post a Comment