Climbing Snowdon...

Unless you're doing Crib goch Snowden is basically a walk. You see people running up it, and others carrying children in harnesses on their backs.

I did Pygs track on the way up last time I went, and back down Miners track. It's about 7-8 miles in total.

I was luck with the weather, but it can turn nasty so carry waterproof gear and something warm. There were signs at the bottle recommending 3-5 litres of water but 2 should be enough if you drink before and after as well.

You should be fine. As for the new shoes I'd recommend buying some some zinc oxide or althelic tape, that way if they cause you blisters you can just create a false heel and carry on without the pain.
 
Etheco said:
This, Buying brand new shoes a week before normally isn't the best idea, your feet will hate you for it.

You are meant to slowly break them in, Like 24-48hours wear them around the house doing general house activities, and then go for a short walk and slowly build up to longer walks.
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Whoopsies. Oh well, will see if I can get some wear out of them around the house this week.
 
englishpremier said:
You should be fine. As for the new shoes I'd recommend buying some some zinc oxide or althelic tape, that way if they cause you blisters you can just create a false heel and carry on without the pain.
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Yes, a small pack with basic first aid, plasters etc. will fit in a pocket.

I would recommend some navigation skills with a map and compass, but sounds like a group, one or two of you should have these.

Carry a torch and a whistle for emergencies. A penknife with a bottle or can opener may make you friends. Some energy bars or chocolate distributed amongst pockets.

A warm hat and undergloves. Snowden can get damp and foggy at the best of times.

Lastly a small hip flask to share a nip at the summit. Enjoy :)
 
It may be a simple walk but don't be complacent. The weather at the top will likely be cold and wet (it was something like 7 degrees at the top on Saturday with windchill a fair bit less than that and thick damp fog and no visibility) despite it being warm, sunny and dry on the way up.

A half decent waterproof/windproof jacket and a hat to put on as you reach the summit will make a world of difference.

People do it in all sorts, I went in April and there were tons of people going up in shorts and trainers/converse etc despite there being several inches of snow for most of the 2nd half. Doesn't mean you should go wildly under-equipped too though.
 
tom_e said:
Take waterproofs and some warm layers as nevermind how nice it may be down the bottom it can be a whole other world up the top.

To be honest that should do for Snowden.
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Many times this no matter what the weather is like or looking like be prepared for both extremes. If you aren't particularly an outdoor type it doesn't take long in even sub 10C never mind sub 0C to suffer with the effects of exposure on a mountain.
 
I've climbed Snowdon a few times and prefer the Pyg Track but a lot of people will go for the Llanberis Path (which follows the railway) because it's easier.

Up and down on the Pyg Track is approx. 5-6hrs depending on how many of you there are and how much you want to push yourself. Not sure about any other route... stay off Cribb Goch though :eek:

FYI, I did the national 3 peaks challenge in under 24hrs with minimal training and basic equipment. Here's what I'd take, based on my experience:

  • Walking boots (wear these in unless you fancy blisters!)
  • Proper walking socks (no joke.. these are a must! 1000 mile are good)
  • Decent trousers or combat shorts (don't go in jeans!)
  • Long sleeve t-shirt (I found running t-shirts are good because they're light)
  • Thin t-shirt underneath to build up layers
  • A fleece (although be prepared to not wear it! You will be sweating and get hot FAST)
  • A roll up set of waterproof trousers and a thin coat (Again, un-needed unless there's driving rain)
  • Water to drink (Also lucosade or gel packs if you need a boost)
 
I've rode up it twice; 1 hour up and 10 mins down :)
It's funny overtaking people on the scramble steep sections going up carrying a bike and wearing SPD shoes vs people with poles and full walking gear :cool:
 
EVH said:
I've climbed Snowdon a few times and prefer the Pyg Track but a lot of people will go for the Llanberis Path (which follows the railway) because it's easier.

Up and down on the Pyg Track is approx. 5-6hrs depending on how many of you there are and how much you want to push yourself. Not sure about any other route... stay off Cribb Goch though :eek:

FYI, I did the national 3 peaks challenge in under 24hrs with minimal training and basic equipment. Here's what I'd take, based on my experience:

  • Walking boots (wear these in unless you fancy blisters!)
  • Proper walking socks (no joke.. these are a must! 1000 mile are good)
  • Decent trousers or combat shorts (don't go in jeans!)
  • Long sleeve t-shirt (I found running t-shirts are good because they're light)
  • Thin t-shirt underneath to build up layers
  • A fleece (although be prepared to not wear it! You will be sweating and get hot FAST)
  • A roll up set of waterproof trousers and a thin coat (Again, un-needed unless there's driving rain)
  • Water to drink (Also lucosade or gel packs if you need a boost)
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Thanks for this EVH. ABout 8 people attempted to the UK 3 peaks at my old place of works. I'd say 5-6 of them are completely non-athletic none walker types and just fancied having a go. Needless to say they all made it up and down Ben Nevis OK but 4-5 called it a day after the first so i'm sure I could manage Snowdon as I am!

I'll try and wear the boots in this week. I think I should be OK for upper wear, ive got some different long and short sleeve training tops. I'll have to dig out some old pants.
 
EVH said:
I've climbed Snowdon a few times and prefer the Pyg Track but a lot of people will go for the Llanberis Path because it's easier.
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That's the Llanberis Path, Miners is below Pyg Track and follows the lakes (Glaslyn & Llydaw) :)

Took me and some mates 5 hours to go up Pyg Track then down Pyg & Miners on Saturday including stops for food etc and a while at the lake giving the dog a swim, but we did park about 1.5 miles away from the start of Pyg Track so it was 11 miles in total. Was extremely busy though so there's a fair bit of waiting around on the scrambles despite us overtaking people and taking tougher routes as shortcuts where possible.
 
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i like doing llanberis > moel eilio > working your way around that ridge to Moel Cynghorion then going down and joining the ranger parth to summit snowdon, much less busy until you reach near the summit. and walking around the ridge looking down at lake dwythwch is great. bit of a longer walk than straight up though.
 
I would definitely take a pack of those blister plasters (compeed??)
Walked into a bothy once with old boots but new socks,halfway in my both heels were agony,literally had to hobble the rest of the way in and all the way back a few days later :(
Not a happy trip that!
 
R.O.S.S.I said:
Thanks for this EVH. ABout 8 people attempted to the UK 3 peaks at my old place of works. I'd say 5-6 of them are completely non-athletic none walker types and just fancied having a go. Needless to say they all made it up and down Ben Nevis OK but 4-5 called it a day after the first so i'm sure I could manage Snowdon as I am!

I'll try and wear the boots in this week. I think I should be OK for upper wear, ive got some different long and short sleeve training tops. I'll have to dig out some old pants.
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Ben Nevis was relatively easy, except for the 6am start and the snow at the top! Scaffel Pike destroys your legs and had a never-ending boulder field, but Snowdon isn't bad. We had a chap with Asthma in the group, so we basically dragged him up Snowdon.. finished with a time of 23hrs 25mins, but would have been quicker if it wasn't for the dead weight ;)

Trust me when I say I made the mistake of wearing a large North Face coat on my first climb, and it was horrible. Within 10 minutes I was sweating and had to try ramming it in my rucksack. The second time I went up the fog and driving rain was actually pretty dangerous but got away with wearing a small roll-up waterproof coat. The beauty of the roll-up is that they can be clipped to your bag and dangle outside when you don't need them.. which saves space for sandwiches.
 
EVH said:
Trust me when I say I made the mistake of wearing a large North Face coat on my first climb, and it was horrible. Within 10 minutes I was sweating and had to try ramming it in my rucksack. The second time I went up the fog and driving rain was actually pretty dangerous but got away with wearing a small roll-up waterproof coat. The beauty of the roll-up is that they can be clipped to your bag and dangle outside when you don't need them.. which saves space for sandwiches.
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I wont be taking any kind of large coat. Will pack a hoodie in my bag should I need it and I have a pack-a-mac which I use for UK festivals should it start raining.
 
as long as you have waterproof coat of some sort you should be good
you'll be glad of your boots if it starts to rain too, but you could do that path in trainers
i always carry waterproof trousers too just in case, even cheap ones to keep the rain off, but they are not essential i guess.
jumper is a good idea in case you find yourself standing around but you wont have it on going up
a cap for your head if you are baldy or thinning , or sun screen.
a litre or so of water. 8am or 9am is a good start time
it was mist and drizzle the time i did it, at least there was the train going up and down to keep it interesting and the station at the top is buzzing normally. hopefully it will be clear for you
 
Craterloads said:
Given your shoes are new and you will try to wear them in I would strongly recommend these socks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000-Mile-Mens-Fusion-Sock/dp/B002T17Z7O

Otherwise blisters on heals and else where could ruin the trip for you. I get blisters on my right heal quite a lot and have had to finish walks bare feet on occasion. Last thing you want is blister half way up.
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I've got quite a few pairs of like training socks which are padded in various sections around toes, heel and arch of foot which I use for running, hoping they should be fine.
 
R.O.S.S.I said:
I've got quite a few pairs of like training socks which are padded in various sections around toes, heel and arch of foot which I use for running, hoping they should be fine.
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Get some 1000 mile walking socks. Boots will rub higher up on your shin or calf so normal running socks will only prevent foot and ankle stuff but its the other areas which can make a walk excruciating too! :(
 
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