Tips for Trip to Snowdon?

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dingdang

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Hi, I am planning to go to Snowdon next week.
Has anybody any tips for me?

I am thinking to take the train up to the top and walking down or climbing up and down. To be honest I have never climbing mountains before.

If climbing up, is it recommendable to carry about 10 kg stuffs (DSLR, Lenses, Tripod,...) with me?
 
I'm no landscape photographer, but I've been up and down pretty much all of the routes on snowdon... don't carry 10kg of camera kit up, especially if you're not an experienced walker. Consolidate - you don't need all your lenses, etc - and I'd argue against your tripod too, but know you might need one if you're using ND filters etc...

The pyg and miner's tracks are fairly easy and non-technical, and probably your best bet. As long as the weather's good, and you've got walking boots with ankle support, and proper clothing for the conditions (while bearing in mind that the weather can change every 5 minutes in wales!) anyone in anything even remotely close to an average level of fitness won't have an issue on these routes. Go up the pyg and down the miners, then you get a slow nice end as you wander round the lakes at the end of the day.
 
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Just please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Everytime I've been up there I see idiots in trainers, jeans and a tee shirt. The weather changes fast, its unpredictable, and you do not want to be on Snowdon in a thunderstorm with gale force winds in trainers... Save the boys at the mountain rescue a trip out, and prepare for all conditions.

As for kit, take as much as you feel comfortable with. It's not a particularly challenging or strenuous climb.
 
I took a full set of gear with me on a walk up the Carneddau last weekend.
Prepare for everything. The skies were clear when I set off. At the summit the mist rolled in...I had a map and needed it.

You should have no problems on a track like the PYG except for slippery rocks if they are wet.

Take care and have fun.
 
As Skyline has said the correct clothing is vital I once left Llanberis on the train in glorious sunshine but at the top it was wet and cold,re kit I would just take the body and standard zoom to keep it light oh and a waterproof bag for when the almost inevitable rain arrives
 
going up pigs, coming down miners. warm cloth, waterproof, good boot.
leave the tripod and the lenses you dont need.
+ a good waterproof backpack for ** gear :D
 
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As well as your camera ket, make sure you've got:
- Waterproofs
- Waterproof boots, walking trainers (eg Merrils) aren't up to the job really.
- Warm clothes (inc hat & gloves)
- Torch and spare batteries (for attracting attention & lighting the way)
- Whistle (distress call is six sharp blasts every minute)
- First Aid Kit

Hopefully you'll not need any of them, but you'll be glad of them if you do get into any trouble.

The walk up isn't that strenuous, but all the above kit plus 10Kg of camera kit may be a bit much. I'd stick to just the camera, a general purpose zoom (something 17-70 ish, or FF equiv) and maybe a tripod if it's light enough (I've got the Redsnapper 283 & 3-way head, that's way too heavy to be dragging up snowdon!).

If you're going at a weekend then the Pyg or Miners tracks should be busy enough for you to follow groups to/from the summit. Stick to the paths and you should be fine.

If you plan on doing more of this kind of thing in the future, get some lessons in navigation (map reading, compass etc...)

Hope you have a great day, Snowdon is a spectacular place :thumbs:

Edit - There's a document provided by Llanberis Mountain Rescue available here which goes through reccomended kit etc...
 
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Unfortunately the last couple of months have been bl**dy awful around Snowdonia so decent waterproofs/hiking boots are a must. If walking up use the Miners track - easiest/safest route, if parking isn't available at the top of the Llanberis Pass park in Llanberis itself and catch the Snowdon Ranger bus (from opposite the Snowdon railway station).

I always carry my DSLR around when hiking but usually find that a 17-70 is perfect, an UWA might be useful on the way up but personally I find it a bit too wide for when near the summits, although it's very much down to personal "style", telephoto is of limited use IMHO & I don't bother. A small prime (between 20 - 40mm) is always handy if you fancy a go at a pano.

I only ever take a tripod if going for the sunrise/sunset - I always carry a CF monopod though as it can definitely help to get those shots nice and sharp, especially when the wind is trying to blow you off the mountainside !!

Have fun & be safe !!

Simon
 
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I suppose everyone will have their own view of what is the easiest path or not.

I would contend that the Llanberis path is in fact the easiest (and alas most boring), my mother made it up with gammy leg and walking stick! And is the only route that has two cafe/toilet stops before the summit (the others having none).

It is an old pony track that was used to ferry tourists up and down in years gone by, agreed it is not the shortest but it is the gentlest in terms of ascent. If your not a confident walker or are just unsure of the terrain (especially whilst carry photo gear) then I offer this as an alternative. Also you dont have to fight for a parking space at pen-y-pass as you start in the town.

Cant agree more with the equipment lists and safety advice above although I would add take water, plenty of water and maybe flapjack!

Petes eats in the town do one of the best fry ups in the country (you can stay there as well).

And although I am not suggesting in any way that you should attempt crib goch you do get a fantastic shot of snowdon from it and you can walk several hundred meters on to its lower slopes without any difficulty and look back toward snowdon

here is a link detailing the different routes you could take

http://www.hightrek.co.uk/climbing/peak/routes.htm

hope it helps

ps from my house I can see snowdon.... or rather because of the awful weather at the moment I cant...

you can check the weather here

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_forecast_pressure.html
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Just please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Everytime I've been up there I see idiots in trainers, jeans and a tee shirt. The weather changes fast, its unpredictable, and you do not want to be on Snowdon in a thunderstorm with gale force winds in trainers... Save the boys at the mountain rescue a trip out, and prepare for all conditions.

As for kit, take as much as you feel comfortable with. It's not a particularly challenging or strenuous climb.
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Yep I have been up there in August and it's been cold enough to see my breath at the top. The walk up and down will take a good 3-4 hours as well (for a fairly quick walker) and as already said you can get all four seasons in a day here in Wales so go equiped for the worst.
 
Its your call but, if you have never been mountain walking before I suggest you use the train up and down. You will be able to concentrate on the photos.

Then walk on one of the paths separately. That way you will get the photos and you will also get some walking without having to commit yourself too far and which you could do with less gear.

I'm guessing you don't have any gear and as already mentioned Snowdon, or any mountain, is not a place to be without decent gear, including a map and compass and the knowledge of how to use them. While there are a number of paths on Snowdon and there are usually lots of people around it is very easy to get disorientated in mist.

Sorry this sounds as if I'm trying to put you off walking in mountains, I'm not and I'd recommend it to anyone fit enough, but I think going from never having done any to doing Snowdon, even if it is only one way, is a big step. day.

However, having said that, lots of ill equipped do walk up Snowdon and get away with it, but I've also seen a lot of folks looking very miserable because they are cold, wet and want to be somewhere else, but somewhere else is hours away.

Dave
 
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Many thanks for the very good replies and links!:thumbs:
My plan is rent a car from Cardiff and overnight the first day in Caernarfon (sightseeing) before go up early morning on the next day. I am quite fit and used to walk for hours but I am not sure about my girlfriend (not sportive). I thought about taking the train up and down for the first time but regarding the train prospect we have only 30 minutes at the summit which is definitely too less. And a down ticket is only on standby.

I think I will take the train up and going down the Llanberis-Path because of my girlfriend, although I prefer the miners track.

Can I park the car at the Llanberis Station and easy to find the way back ro my car using the Llanberis-Path down?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdon
http://www.summitpost.org/route/299010/Llanberis-Path.html

Here my list for snowdon:
- My Garmin oregon 300 navigation with UK Map but without topographical map. I use only for foot navigation in cities (with lots of batteries).
- Suitable shoes, clothes, foods, torch, backpack incl. waterproof protection
- map
- DSLR + Lenses: 16-35mm, 24-70mm and 85mm, Flash 580xII
- Video-camcorder with Navigation (+accus) use also as a 2. camera for just in case.
-My Manfrotto Tripod is over 2Kg so I am not sure yet, maybe I will take only my Gorilla Pod Zoom.

Hope the weather will be find on the next weekend.:(
 
I'd concentrate on the clothing first and the photography second.

Whilst a wide angle shot of the inside of a helicopter isn't that common on TP its probably not something you want particularly for your portfolio.

Even something as apparently touristy as Snowdon can kill you, no problem at all.
 
desantnik said:
Even something as apparently touristy as Snowdon can kill you, no problem at all.
Click to expand...

More people have died on crib goch than K2.



I would contend that the Llanberis path is in fact the easiest (and alas most boring), my mother made it up with gammy leg and walking stick!
Click to expand...

I didn't even include this one because it is so boring :P There's a nice slow gentle route up that side though, albeit a long walk, but no scree... forget the name now.

I think going from never having done any to doing Snowdon, even if it is only one way, is a big step. day.
Click to expand...

not really, it's hardly the world's most technical walk... Tryffan, and I'd agree with you, but the pyg/miner's on snowdon are completely doable for most people, and safe as long as they use good footwear, common sense, and have the safety stuff mentioned by others.


and yes, the weather can be very variable... in all ways. can be sunny when you leave and then chucking it down later on... this feb I went up, it was misty, probably 20m visibility, some rain all the way up to the bloc of rock by where the pyg track tops out, and then we hit the top of the clouds, and this....

VmSJ0l.jpg

XimPLl.jpg


amazing mountain :) (and yes, we were fully prepared and equipped...)
 
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So, I booked car and hotel for the 31. August. Hope the weather will be fine...
 
i wouldnt bother with the flash, it'll just weigh you down and you don't need it or the 85mm
 
I walked up the pyg track a few years ago, like folk have already said the weather can come on fast! I ended up in a big cloud at the top!

In fact when I went I drowned my little casio camera and as a result a ended up with a DSLR so it wasn't all bad!

If there is one thing I can recommend it's take a nice hot flask of tea with you!
 
bomberman said:
i wouldnt bother with the flash, it'll just weigh you down and you don't need it or the 85mm
Click to expand...

I like taking photos of people with flash at daytime, when the weather is very " "grey" or "sunny". About the 85mm...I think you are right (its also very heavy).
 
desantnik said:
Yes, I think driving up and staying in the hotel at the top is the safest bet :lol::lol::lol:
Click to expand...

wish could drive up and overnight in a hotel in case of bad weather. (if there is a road and hotel)....:lol:

However there is no way back now. If the weather is very terrible we will take the train up and down.
 
Nothing photography advice, I have been there twice in the last few months doing the 3 peaks in 24 hours.
If you do use the pyg or miners watch out for the guys without masks wanting £5 up to 4 hours or £10 over 4 hours for you to park up on pen-y-pass and you guessed it the average up and down time is about 4 hours, bad weather taking photos etc will push your time on the mountian up.

Weather can be really bad, the first time nice sunny day with clouds at the top the 2nd time torential rain and visability was non existant almost from the carpark up. So the advice about being prepared is spot on anything can happen especially up there. If its raining I wouldn't even bother taking the camera unless you like takeing photos in clouds.

Also watch out for the police and speed traps, the last time I was there one took a photo of our car unfortunatly we don't know who was driving as we were up and down from Llanberis to pen-y-pass most of the afternoon
 
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Little John said:
Nothing photography advice, I have been there twice in the last few months doing the 3 peaks in 24 hours.
If you do use the pyg or miners watch out for the guys without masks wanting £5 up to 4 hours or £10 over 4 hours for you to park up on pen-y-pass and you guessed it the average up and down time is about 4 hours, bad weather taking photos etc will push your time on the mountian up.

Weather can be really bad, the first time nice sunny day with clouds at the top the 2nd time torential rain and visability was non existant almost from the carpark up. So the advice about being prepared is spot on anything can happen especially up there. If its raining I wouldn't even bother taking the camera unless you like takeing photos in clouds.

Also watch out for the police and speed traps, the last time I was there one took a photo of our car unfortunatly we don't know who was driving as we were up and down from Llanberis to pen-y-pass most of the afternoon
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Actually thats a good point, North Wales police have something of a reputation for speed traps...Opps safety cameras, even hiding one in a horse box at one point.
 
Thanks for the information about the police trap and car park. I often has problems about the speed because I used to drive on the right side and km/h.

Just back from the big shopping for snowdon trip. The staff from the sports shop said, the weather will be bad...:(
 
The weather changes really quick up and around there, seems to have its own weather system around there. Clothes are the most important, the amount of people that have to get picked up from there by the mountain rescue/helicopter is a joke. Just because it might be warm at the bottom, different story on the way up.

I was around there at the weekend and there was a big cloud just perched at the top, and everywhere else was great, so you may miss some pictures if it does that again, which it does quite often.

The police arent around there too much in that area, they concentrate more on the more used routes like the A5, but not around that area much. Probably the place they police the most is between Llandudno and Betws Y coed, once you get away from there its quieter.

They have also been known to hide cameras in a horse box at the side of the road, but Ive never seen this on my travels on my motorbike. The most common site is the Arrive Alive vans, which film you coming towards them. They are quite easy to spot, big white vans parked up, but remember that by the time you spot them, you will have already been snapped, as they hide quite well sometimes, so just be wary. I always get flashed by people when Im on the bike, but you wont really get warned when in a car.
 
oh yes, if u take car, pls try to go as early as possible to get a parking place. that will save u about a miles walk :)
 
photonumpty said:
I suppose everyone will have their own view of what is the easiest path or not.

I would contend that the Llanberis path is in fact the easiest (and alas most boring), my mother made it up with gammy leg and walking stick! And is the only route that has two cafe/toilet stops before the summit (the others having none).

It is an old pony track that was used to ferry tourists up and down in years gone by, agreed it is not the shortest but it is the gentlest in terms of ascent. If your not a confident walker or are just unsure of the terrain (especially whilst carry photo gear) then I offer this as an alternative. Also you dont have to fight for a parking space at pen-y-pass as you start in the town.

Cant agree more with the equipment lists and safety advice above although I would add take water, plenty of water and maybe flapjack!

Petes eats in the town do one of the best fry ups in the country (you can stay there as well).

And although I am not suggesting in any way that you should attempt crib goch you do get a fantastic shot of snowdon from it and you can walk several hundred meters on to its lower slopes without any difficulty and look back toward snowdon

here is a link detailing the different routes you could take

http://www.hightrek.co.uk/climbing/peak/routes.htm

hope it helps

ps from my house I can see snowdon.... or rather because of the awful weather at the moment I cant...

you can check the weather here

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_forecast_pressure.html
Click to expand...


I bought today the snowdon map. The miners track is indeed the most interesting one and the Llanberis path is boring. The problem is that my girlfriend prefer going up with the train (she likes train).
So if I park my car near Llanberis Station and take the miners track down to Pen-y-pass, how could we go back to my car? Are there any buses?
We will take the train at 9:30am in the morning, so we will have enough time.

On the map I see "Causeway" (miners track) is it bridge?
 
I've been up a couple of times now. on my most recent trip just had the dslr body with a light 18-70 lens (didnt bother with faster lens as you're going to stop down anyway most likely). Key is to have a nice sunny day with a high cloud base if you want good shots otherwise its very tricky. I suspect this time of the year is not going to help you!

Good boots and waterproof gear is a must. Keep some water and food with u as well.
 
Just to add there are usually sherpa buses that can fleet you around between pen y pass and llanberis. The PYG track is also interesting as it gives you some views of the lakes from a higher point. There is also this point on the PYG which is a great photo spot (not my photo):

4923_114001931881_564021881_2898209_1108702_n.jpg
 
dingdang said:
I bought today the snowdon map. The miners track is indeed the most interesting one and the Llanberis path is boring. The problem is that my girlfriend prefer going up with the train (she likes train).
So if I park my car near Llanberis Station and take the miners track down to Pen-y-pass, how could we go back to my car? Are there any buses?
We will take the train at 9:30am in the morning, so we will have enough time.

On the map I see "Causeway" (miners track) is it bridge?
Click to expand...

Ding Dang,

I recently ascended Snowdon from The Watkin Path (excellent route, but a little technical, due to a scree scramble at the top), and it was an life changing experience. :)

From my Trip report, there is a photo that shows the Miners path and Llyn LLydaw, the causeway is on it, but not very visible, it's not a bridge, but more a land-bridge if you like?

Anyway, i hope you enjoy your trip, i know i did (even if i never got to see Snowdon due to clag!) :thumbs:

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9553.msg112987.html#msg112987
 
sgt_pepper46 said:
Ding Dang,

I recently ascended Snowdon from The Watkin Path (excellent route, but a little technical, due to a scree scramble at the top), and it was an life changing experience. :)

From my Trip report, there is a photo that shows the Miners path and Llyn LLydaw, the causeway is on it, but not very visible, it's not a bridge, but more a land-bridge if you like?

Anyway, i hope you enjoy your trip, i know i did (even if i never got to see Snowdon due to clag!) :thumbs:

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9553.msg112987.html#msg112987
Click to expand...

Great Trip report. Many thanks. For the first time climb up and take the train down.:thumbs:
My girlfriend still want train up and walk down. :)
 
Sorry for replying sooo late. I was very busy with my study. The weather was very nice and warm. There were also a lot of people. The only thing was that the sky was misty.
I took only 2 lenses with me (16-35mm, 24-70mm), 1xflashgun (didn't use at all due the good weather) and my heavy tripod. I think I was the only person with a tripod. Some photographers looked at me a bit strange. :cuckoo:
However I wanted to have some nice pictures when its getting darker.
Unfortunately on the way back we didn't take much photos because we have to catch the last sherpa bus (still missed the bus at the end :|)
Luckily there are taxis which brought us back.
We started from the Llanberis path in the early morning and back from the miners track. For my girlfriend was a bit too much, so that we needed over 9 hours.

Here are some pictures I took:

snowdown.jpg



snowdown2.jpg



snowdown3.jpg
 
Looking forward to seeing your shots ( OP ) im planning on going to Dinorwic slate quarry area, across the lake from Snowdon next week. Unless the weather is to much so im interested to see what the area is like.
 
4737carlin said:
Looking forward to seeing your shots ( OP ) im planning on going to Dinorwic slate quarry area, across the lake from Snowdon next week. Unless the weather is to much so im interested to see what the area is like.
Click to expand...

The area's very beautiful, and even moreso in the snow, however also can be very very dangerous in the current weather. If you're not an experienced winter walker, think very very carefully about your routes or if to go ahead, follow the advice of the local weather office, and take the correct equipment (this means proper walking boots, emergency bags / bothy bag, whistle, compass, maps, mobile phone, ideally something that can give you a gps co-ordinate, torches + spare batts, gloves hats etc). DON'T think 'oh it'll be fine' - more people die on cryb goch (summit that forms part of the snowdon horseshoe) than die on K2 in the himalayas, and the area has very unpredictable conditions, and even moreso in the heavy snow and ice.
 
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I agree with itsdavedotnet. I didn't use my equipment (rain coast, trousers, first aid,...) but I feel safer. Bring more water with you. I had 4l water with us. When we arrived at the summit we have to buy more water.
 
Good luck getting to Dinorwig any time soon, Theres more snow set for us tomorrow, it's already pretty lethal on the roads of Gwynedd, You may have a lot of extra walking to do if it keeps up! Not sure I'd want to be venturing too far into the quarry in these conditions, inclines and snow don'tappeal!
 
There's a shot of Llanberis in the daily post today - it's pretty white up in the quarry!

The roads are pretty clear now though.
 
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