Climbing Snowdon

InkZ

InkZ

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Rob
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Well I had this crazy thought that it would be a good idea to climb Snowdon.

I also have no clue what the hell I'm doing, or how much I need to prepare.

I've got waterproofs, decent hiking boots and my camera (of course), and I've been advised to buy a couple of walking poles, although I've no idea how much to spend on some. Cheapo £20 a pair poles ok?

I suppose plenty of water..

I'd be grateful for any advice, I'm not planning to take any funky routes, we are just going to follow the main path but I would like to make it to the top :)

Think I'm crazy taking a tripod or is it going to kill my back? :)
 
As long as you have decent clothing i.e waterproofs and a fleece + good socks and boots, you should be ok. The main route is fairly straight forward and well populated at this time of year. I have seen a young mother in summer dress and handbag with small child in tow (2-3y.o) just in t-shirt and shorts! As long as you take your time and have a rest as required you'll be ok. Don't skimp on the clothing as the weather can turn nasty very quickly. You could use rucksack or rocks as substitute for tripod, save you the weight?. Have a nice time there. Rob
 
You could get the train from Llanberis and walk back down! :)
 
Have to agree with the clothing... When we did it, we left from the train station at the lake, nice and warm. The last 1/3rd in the clouds with wind blowing a gail, I was freezing, even with a quality jacket! There were still patches of ice and snow!!! Dont see a need for walking poles honestly, I just them annoying and some extra to carry.

Glyders on the other side of the road is also worth the walk :)
 
Unless you know how to use poles properly there is no point in carrying them. The route up Snowdon is clearly marked and generally had quite a few people walking it so you don't have much chance of getting lost!

Make sure you have a good coat, first aid kit, lunch and pleanty of water.
 
You definitely require good waterproofs/warm clothing/drink/food...don't be fooled into thinking it's only a small mountain, it gets pretty bleak up there when the weather turns.
Make sure you allow plenty of time too, the air/sea/rescue must get fed-up with people who miscalculate and then call them out for rescue when they get stuck up there in the dark. :cuckoo:

Generally you shouldn't really go mountain hiking without a map/compass (or GPS) and knowing how to use it as if the cloud descends it's very easy to become disorientated. Having said that most people go up/down Snowdon on the "tourist route" without map or compass with no issue, most problems happen in the winter months.

Forget the walking poles, most people seem to use them as some sort of fashion accessory and get no benefit from them. Personally I find them more of a hindrance when scrambling etc.
 
simonkit said:
Make sure you allow plenty of time too, the air/sea/rescue must get fed-up with people who miscalculate and then call them out for rescue when they get stuck up there in the dark. :cuckoo:
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When I was up snowdon in 2007 we went the crib goch route, someone in the group in front of us had a slip and buggered his knee up, as we got to them the navy helicopter came in to rescue him as crib goch isn't the easiest route when you can walk! anyway my point is if there is a genuine reason you need to be rescued they don't mind, if you go ill prepared and as a result need rescuing they do mind!
simonkit said:
Generally you shouldn't really go mountain hiking without a map/compass (or GPS) and knowing how to use it as if the cloud descends it's very easy to become disorientated. Having said that most people go up/down Snowdon on the "tourist route" without map or compass with no issue, most problems happen in the winter months.
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Just because others do it doesn't mean you should, see comment above!
simonkit said:
Forget the walking poles, most people seem to use them as some sort of fashion accessory and get no benefit from them. Personally I find them more of a hindrance when scrambling etc.
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Walking poles can be great but only if you use them properly and put them away when you don't need them (my bag has a quick stowing system so i can get rid of them whilst walking) If you want me to explain how to use them properly please ask.
 
simonkit said:
Generally you shouldn't really go mountain hiking without a map/compass (or GPS) and knowing how to use it
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Got to agree. Most people will get up and down the tourist path with no problems at all. However, when things go a bit wrong; you'll appreciate knowing how to get yourself safely back down, rather than waiting for a helicopter!!

If you want to make the most of it, join a walking club/group and get out and learn the skills you need first, you'll enjoy it a lot more :thumbs:

Once you're a bit more confident, you can take one of the more interesting routes up as well (the Snowdon Ranger or Pyg are both a lot more scenic, and not too challenging).
The tourist path is incredibly dull, like a motorway jam packed with families and screaming kids who don't really want to be walking up a mountain.

If you do decide to just get out there and do it, remember to let someone know where you're going, which route you're taking and what times you plan to start and return. Leaving this info, along with a contact number, in the windscreen of your car is a good idea too.
 
Jim.R said:
If you do decide to just get out there and do it, remember to let someone know where you're going, which route you're taking and what times you plan to start and return. Leaving this info, along with a contact number, in the windscreen of your car is a good idea too.
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This is great advise, even if its only the hotel/B&B etc.
 
I assume by "Tourist Route" you mean the Miners' Track - if you do you can walk it in jeans, t-shirt and trainers but carry waterproofs in case the weather turns.

You won't need a map, compass or gps. Just a mobile in case you're going to be late home
 
My personal favourite is park at Nant Gwynant and walk up past the waterfalls. Then make a circular route up the left side of the valley, one of the most impressive approaches to the summit. Then back down the Watkin path which includes the gob-smacking descent onto the start of the Y-Lliwedd ridge.

It's a lot more height gain than from Pen-y-Pass but it avoids the parking hassle and it's way more photogenic.

Don't attempt Crib Goch unless you know what you are doing. You need to know a heck of a lot more than whether to use poles or take a map! I'll also repeat the comments above about it taking much longer than you expect; the Snowdon Horseshoe (Pen-y-Pass, Crib Goch, Snowdon, Y-Lliwedd) is a full day!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Hopefully I'll have some great pics to show for it! :)
 
I assume by "Tourist Route" you mean the Miners' Track - if you do you can walk it in jeans, t-shirt and trainers but carry waterproofs in case the weather turns.

You won't need a map, compass or gps. Just a mobile in case you're going to be late home
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not good advice.....ignore
 
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