Wales Snowdonia - RAIN!

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Carl Hall

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I'm planning on going to Snowdonia this weekend, camping from tomorrow night to Monday morning. I've been looking at places to go since about a month ago when I made the plans. Unfortunately, looking at the weather forecast for this weekend, it looks pretty crap.

Friday.PNG Saturday.PNG Sunday.PNG

I'm pretty disappointed with the forecast, but obviously it's November in Wales so I knew it was a gamble when I planned it. Part of me thinks I might just go anyway, and try and make the most of it. I'd planned to go to places such as Llyn Idwal, Llyn Ogwen, the Twr Mawr lighthouse, the Llanberis Pass and the old slate mill at Ynys Y Pandy, but I'm not sure how well they'd work out this weekend if it's so wet.

For those that have been to Snowdonia when the weather is wet grey and horrible, are there any places you'd recommend to visit? Anywhere that suits those conditions? Or am I just better off cancelling the time off work and going when it's a bit drier?
 
How will your kit stand up to the weather, let alone you?

Since it's a choice I'd choose cancel. Snowdonia isn't going anywhere in a hurry! ;)
 
The only thing to do in the gloomy weather would be waterfalls. With a lack of foliage that will look pretty poor. It is properly miserable when it rains there. I'd check Corwnwall or even Scotland and head there if the weather is any better.
 
JohnX said:
How will your kit stand up to the weather, let alone you?
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My camera and lenses are weather sealed, and I'll be taking a decent waterproof coat, a poncho, waterproof trousers, an umbrella and some wellies. I think I should stay reasonably dry :) I'll be sleeping in a nice dry van instead of a tent too, so I don't think I'll have too many issues. I just know how frustrating it is coming back from a single morning with no photos because of bad weather, not sure I can deal with a long weekend and an empty memory card! lol

JohnX said:
ince it's a choice I'd choose cancel. Snowdonia isn't going anywhere in a hurry! ;)
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking too. My holiday is pretty flexible with work so I can easily cancel it and rearrange it at short notice when the weathers better.
 
Moody mountain shots, lots of atmosphere, dramatic lighting, no one about....unless it's going to p*** down continuously, I'd go.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
The only thing to do in the gloomy weather would be waterfalls. With a lack of foliage that will look pretty poor. It is properly miserable when it rains there. I'd check Corwnwall or even Scotland and head there if the weather is any better.
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Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I was hoping I could get some moody dramatic shots if there was any patchy rain clouds, but I think if it's just constant rain then I'll just end up sitting in the van for four days getting depressed lol. Living in Somerset means that Scotland is way too far for me to drive (although I'll get there one day!). Cornwall might be a good option though!
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Moody mountain shots, lots of atmosphere, dramatic lighting, no one about....unless it's going to p*** down continuously, I'd go.
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It's too early to get the detailed cloud and rain forecasts from the Met Office, but the general weather forecast just says cloud and heavy rain pretty much constantly. I think I'll wait and see how it looks in the morning before I make my mind up. I guess worst case scenario if I go is that I just come back early and waste the fuel. My time's worthless so there's no waste there :D :lol:
 
Looking at your flickr and assuming there are at least *some* breaks in the rain, I would have thought some of the old slate quarries and industrial heritage might be an option in low cloud/mist; or a bit of "street" as in the people making the best of a wet weekend in wales.

JohnX said:
How will your kit stand up to the weather
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Sorry but IMHO there is no point in having the kit if you don't use it, take an umbrella and a towel, dry the kit and warm it up when you get chance and any half decent kit will be fine
 
sirch said:
Sorry but IMHO there is no point in having the kit if you don't use it, take an umbrella and a towel, dry the kit and warm it up when you get chance and any half decent kit will be fine
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I don't mind being out in the weather as long as I get some photos out of it :) Actually for some reason I find photography more rewarding when I have to punish myself out in the cold and rain to get a photo! If I get a bit wet then I can retreat to the van, get into the sleeping bag and watch a film on the iPad whilst drinking hot chocolate :D ha.
 
Well the weather looks like it's improved a bit, now it's mostly just cloud and a bit of rain Saturday morning. The vans already packed and I'll be leaving straight from work this evening, hopefully arriving around 10.30 tonight. Really excited now :D

Friday.PNG Saturday.PNG Sunday.PNG
 
Get yourself packed and crack on Carl, if its raining it will make you think about a different sort of photography. I'd be happy just be out and about with a flask of coffee and some chocolate :LOL:
 
Well, I just got back. What an amazing weekend. It rained on and off Saturday morning and a little bit this morning, but apart from that the weather was ok. Mostly cloudy, although I did get a great sunset at the lighthouse on Anglesey, and a super sunrise at "the tree" at Llyn Padarn. Took about 1250 photos in total so it's going to take some time to sort through! Totally knackered now, four bad nights sleep in a van (noise from passing cars and wind rocking the van all night) and a 6 hour drive home does not make you feel great!

It was my first time in Snowdonia for quite a few years, and it is an incredible area. Everywhere you look there's a view that blows your mind. Will be trying to go back again in a few months to do it all again. So pleased that I went, couldn't really have gone much better!
 
Good job you went then!
Its a lovely place and once you get away from the roads its so peaceful. makes you think harder about the rat race carnage of city life.
 
nick16 said:
Good job you went then!
Its a lovely place and once you get away from the roads its so peaceful. makes you think harder about the rat race carnage of city life.
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Definitely! I walked into work on Tuesday morning and before I’d even sat down at my desk someone was asking me to go and sort out an issue in the factory. I remember sighing and thinking “why did I come back?” Ever since I got home I’ve been trying to think when I can go next! :D
 
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