Hi people,
**Photos added to the bottom of this post**
Well I've just got back from a long weekend in North Wales. We did one of those Sun holidays which set us back the bargain price of £40 for 3 nights in a 3 bedroom caravan! We stayed in Porthmadog on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park, and the main aim of the weekend was to conquer Mt. Snowdon.
We decided that the weather looked best on Saturday so set off at about 11am. It was a bit windy and cloudy at sea level but it wasn't raining! As none of our party are experienced hikers we decided to take the Llanberis path up the mountain, which is apparently the easiest of the lot. Its still a 10 mile/5 hour hike to the summit and back though! We started the climb at about 12 o'clock and found that the very start of the path is quite steep, and were soon feeling the strain in our legs..and this was the nice smooth tarmac part of the climb! Not long after passing the half-way point we reached the cloud which enveloped the upper reaches of the mountain. The higher we climbed the worse the conditions got. The wind decided that it would blow right in our faces and at one point I was so exhausted I was taking 5 small steps forwards and then stopping for a rest. We repeatedly had to sit down as we were literally being blown off our feet by the wind. There was nowhere to hide from the wind either.
We'd read on the internet that the restaurant/train station at the summit opens on the 1st April, so as things were proving so difficult we decided that when we got to the top we'd have some food and get the train to the bottom. The thought of some warm food and a nice relaxing train ride was just what we needed to keep us heading to the top.
The path seemed to be never-ending. Just as it looked like we might be reaching the summit, another section of path appeared. Then all of a sudden, through the fog we spotted the cafe/train station..at last!! Now here's the best bit..IT WAS SHUT!!! The smiles which had appeared on our faces after getting to the top quickly dissappeared as the realisation hit home that we were going to have to hike all the way down as well! We stopped for 10 minutes to have a tea from the flask and then decided to get the descent over and done with.
At least on the way down the wind was behind us, but even this had its problems. Imagine trying to control the pace of your descent but not being able to because there's a 20 stone weightlifter behind you pushing you down the hill. We eventually made it to the bottom and breathed a huge sigh of relief. It took us 3 hours to do the climb, and 2 for the descent. To sum up the experience..NEVER AGAIN!! I'm sticking to flat ground from now on!
Pics:
A view from somewhere on Snowdon!
The fog at the top.
Me heading into the fog.
Where's the ghost train?!
15 mins from the top..do I look happy?
Andy
**Photos added to the bottom of this post**
Well I've just got back from a long weekend in North Wales. We did one of those Sun holidays which set us back the bargain price of £40 for 3 nights in a 3 bedroom caravan! We stayed in Porthmadog on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park, and the main aim of the weekend was to conquer Mt. Snowdon.
We decided that the weather looked best on Saturday so set off at about 11am. It was a bit windy and cloudy at sea level but it wasn't raining! As none of our party are experienced hikers we decided to take the Llanberis path up the mountain, which is apparently the easiest of the lot. Its still a 10 mile/5 hour hike to the summit and back though! We started the climb at about 12 o'clock and found that the very start of the path is quite steep, and were soon feeling the strain in our legs..and this was the nice smooth tarmac part of the climb! Not long after passing the half-way point we reached the cloud which enveloped the upper reaches of the mountain. The higher we climbed the worse the conditions got. The wind decided that it would blow right in our faces and at one point I was so exhausted I was taking 5 small steps forwards and then stopping for a rest. We repeatedly had to sit down as we were literally being blown off our feet by the wind. There was nowhere to hide from the wind either.
We'd read on the internet that the restaurant/train station at the summit opens on the 1st April, so as things were proving so difficult we decided that when we got to the top we'd have some food and get the train to the bottom. The thought of some warm food and a nice relaxing train ride was just what we needed to keep us heading to the top.
The path seemed to be never-ending. Just as it looked like we might be reaching the summit, another section of path appeared. Then all of a sudden, through the fog we spotted the cafe/train station..at last!! Now here's the best bit..IT WAS SHUT!!! The smiles which had appeared on our faces after getting to the top quickly dissappeared as the realisation hit home that we were going to have to hike all the way down as well! We stopped for 10 minutes to have a tea from the flask and then decided to get the descent over and done with.
At least on the way down the wind was behind us, but even this had its problems. Imagine trying to control the pace of your descent but not being able to because there's a 20 stone weightlifter behind you pushing you down the hill. We eventually made it to the bottom and breathed a huge sigh of relief. It took us 3 hours to do the climb, and 2 for the descent. To sum up the experience..NEVER AGAIN!! I'm sticking to flat ground from now on!
Pics:
A view from somewhere on Snowdon!
The fog at the top.
Me heading into the fog.
Where's the ghost train?!
15 mins from the top..do I look happy?
Andy
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