Climbing Snowdon...

R.O.S.S.I · 15 Aug 2016 at 13:59

EVH said:
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!

They aren't walking boots that go higher than the ankle though. They are more like a walking shoe if that makes sense?

If need be i'll just wear some footy socks over them.

The-Plethora · 15 Aug 2016 at 14:46

Enjoy, you will have a great time.

I would say though that the Llanberris pass is a bit on the boring side. If I were you (and as you are camping near the bottom of the Llanberris) I would take the bus and go round to the other side, this will drop you off at the Pen Y Pass car park and here you can choose to go up via the Pyg Track (nice and easy) or the miners track which I would say is a bit more interesting but it's pretty much straight up near the end.

This guy has a map, you can get to the summit via the pyg or miners and take the easier route back down the Llanberris pass to your camp site.

http://jonathantolhurst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/snowdon-map-640px.png **Don't hotlink please - EVH**

I love Snowdon, people complain that it gets busy, and yes it does but it's busy for a reason. It's nice and varied and definitely has the best views of the three peaks.
I would say wear walking trousers, take plenty of water and use suntan lotion even if you think you won't need it. Couple of pics I took.

Hellsmk2 · 15 Aug 2016 at 16:26

If it's just Llanberis , you'll just need a comfortable pair of shoes (preferably with ankle support, but even that isn't really necessary). You'll see people going up their in any old gear, as there's nothing difficult to that walk.

When are you planning to do the walk? I've found the best time to do Llanberis is on a weekday after 6pm during summertime. Most of the times you won't see a single soul, which is much more enjoyable than getting stuck in one long queue.

6 hours is about right if folk in your group are very unfit and not used to walking up steep hills, but if you're fairly fit, you can be up and down in 3 - 4 hours.

bobbyspangles · 15 Aug 2016 at 17:56

I second the suggestion for Pyg or Miner's track if possible. They're shorter distance but steeper, especially near the top, but it all makes for much better views.

dowie · 15 Aug 2016 at 18:41

If you've got some experienced people in your group then you really ought to try Crib Goch as otherwise you're not really 'climbing' but just going for a walk. It could be a nice accomplishment if you're a bit of a novice. (Obviously if you're all novices then don't!)

Try to fit in Tryfan too, it is a nice scramble.

Buddy · 15 Aug 2016 at 18:45

Pyg track is good fun some nice views and marginally more of an effort. Toddlers can walk up Llamberis fgs

s-man · 15 Aug 2016 at 20:02

Might be overkill purely for Snowdon but new shoes could easily result in blisters & Compede might just save your day...my 2p!

Amp34 · 15 Aug 2016 at 22:22

One doesn't climb Snowdon. You walk up the boring path for a couple of hours with several hundred other people, half of who will be in flip-flops/sandals.

One · 15 Aug 2016 at 22:39

I walked up with my dog. It's a piece of cake. Even with the worst case scenario you're only 60ish minutes from either getting back to the bottom or up to the top. Obviously I'm taking an assumption that you're a relatively healthy young person.

reilly · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:18

Also walking Snowdon this weekend, but opted for Watkins Path as it has the highest ascent from the starting point

. Weather at the minute is cloud with possible showers though!

Street · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:23

Amp34 said:
One doesn't climb Snowdon. You walk up the boring path for a couple of hours with several hundred other people, half of who will be in flip-flops/sandals.

To be fair there are quite a few decent climbs on Snowdon, especially in winter!

Cern · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:27

If your walking shoes are new, try and walk a few miles in them before your walking holiday, break them in a bit and make sure they're comfortable enough for a 5-6 hour walk.

Other than that, take a small daysack so you can carry a few extra layers (it will likely be cold at the top regardless of how sunny it is), waterproofs, water and some food / energy bars.

Someone in your party should have a map and compass, but if you're sticking to the well-trodden path up Snowdon you likely won't be short of other walkers to show the way.

Have fun!

floatindolphin · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:30

Make sure you go on a cloud inversion day!

This was boxing day in about 2006, amazing day!

[/url]329978_10150760094794966_859774450_o by jonjones262, on Flickr[/IMG]

Diddums · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:32

That looks fantastic :cool:

floatindolphin · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:39

Diddums said:
That looks fantastic

It was!

I rode 15 miles to Llanberis in the most **** poor drizzly foggy weather, dragged the bike up the tourist path....then about 3/4's of the way up it suddenly got less foggy and then I just popped out above it. It was AMAZING!

Diddums · 15 Aug 2016 at 23:49

I can imagine! Maybe one day I'll get off the sofa and give it a go

Amp34 · 16 Aug 2016 at 00:14

Street said:
To be fair there are quite a few decent climbs on Snowdon, especially in winter!

True. I just find there are too many people up there normally.

The_Abyss · 16 Aug 2016 at 00:29

And this is what underneath the cloud inversion looks like, for those lazy people who just take the train halfway up!

View to Llanberis from Snowdon by Greg Kingston, on Flickr

McPhee · 16 Aug 2016 at 11:06

Snowdon might be easy, but you still need to be prepared.

Coming down the mountain two year's ago, me and the missus got caught in a rainstorm that wasn't forecast. Needless to say, we were soaked and thoroughly miserable by the time we got back to the car. And that was with waterproof gear.

Last year, a group from my work were doing the three peaks. They arrived at Snowdon with something like 3 hours left. While most of them decided not to go up, the fittest four thought they could run up and back in that time. They packed light because they wanted to be quick. Then they got lost on their way down, darkness fell and they couldn't see where they were going because they didn't pack torches. They slept on the mountain. They were just lucky it was a mild night as there's barely any shelter up there.

I always worry a bit when someone who doesn't walk asks what Snowdon is like and experienced walkers come out with "It's easy". Paints a false picture TBH. Relatively speaking, it is easy, but things can still go very wrong. People do have to be rescued quite regularly, and people do occasionally die up there.

Hagar · 16 Aug 2016 at 11:22

satchef1 said:
Snowdon might be easy, but you still need to be prepared.

Coming down the mountain two year's ago, me and the missus got caught in a rainstorm that wasn't forecast. Needless to say, we were soaked and thoroughly miserable by the time we got back to the car. And that was with waterproof gear.

Last year, a group from my work were doing the three peaks. They arrived at Snowdon with something like 3 hours left. While most of them decided not to go up, the fittest four thought they could run up and back in that time. They packed light because they wanted to be quick. Then they got lost on their way down, darkness fell and they couldn't see where they were going because they didn't pack torches. They slept on the mountain. They were just lucky it was a mild night as there's barely any shelter up there.

I always worry a bit when someone who doesn't walk asks what Snowdon is like and experienced walkers come out with "It's easy". Paints a false picture TBH. Relatively speaking, it is easy, but things can still go very wrong. People do have to be rescued quite regularly, and people do occasionally die up there.

On any walk, you should carry the minimum to get you through 12-24 hours even if not very comfortably. I carry map, compass, head torch, whistle, basic meds, extra layer, socks, hat, snacks, 2 bin bags all in about 2-3kg pack