Help me climb Snowdon

[ClearEyesFullHearts]

I’m 54, I vape, am 40lbs from a normal BMI, and have heart disease.

I want to climb Snowdon next year with my children.

I am confident I can lose at least two stones before the summer (thanks Low Carb Bootcamp); I am confident I can stop vaping by Christmas. I have lost 50lbs already and improved my fitness with regular treadmill workouts (45 minutes at 4.2 kph is the current rate, but on a very slight incline). I have also started using an exercise bike for shorter times, up to about 20-30 minutes at a leisurely pace. I do this on the days I’m not in the treadmill.

This is all pleasing because I’ve made progress—three years ago I couldn’t walk the quarter mile to our local shop without stopping at least twice to catch my breath, and the chest pains were awful.

But this is the first time I’ve set an actual end goal—Snowdon—and I’m hoping that anyone with experience of this, or general fitness, can give me some tips for how to set short-term goals that will get me to the big one.

I not only want to climb Snowdon with my children, I want to do it with relative ease and not slow them down.

Any guidance appreciated. Cheers.

you'll be coming down when people are still going up which will give you a warm smug feeling on the return leg

Top tip!

And when this happens I probably will feel gratitude (sorry, cliché) rather than smugness (though I’m not averse to the occasional mini-break in Smuglandia). I’m the only one in my family who is so unfit, and it either holds them back, or I exclude myself because of it. Which is why I’ve finally set a goal like this.

Don’t worry, I won’t be fundraising.

I climbed Snowdonia 4 weeks ago. It was such a lovely experience, despite the weather, (grey and drizzle), it was still breathtakingly beautiful. We did the Pyg up and Miners down, I’m fit but it was pretty tough towards the end of the ascent. The descent is hard on the knees, we wore knee braces which really helped. We felt great afterwards especially since my DH is scared of heights! And yes, there have been many deaths on Snowdon, it’s not a hill walk.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/climbing-snowdon-can-more-dangerous-2066625

For those suggesting the train down, it really isn't a reliable option.

Your knees will be one of your biggest problems, if you descend via the llanberis path the final tarmac section is a killer.

Don't underestimate how relentless it can be exercising for that long in full sun. There is no shade (other than the tiny tunnel where the train passes over the path!). You will need a lot of water.

How old are your children? Will they be carrying all there own food, water and clothing, or is this something else to weigh you down?

For a training walk, llyn idwal is good, it's an easy walk (and beautiful) and you can try going up the more difficult terrain of the devil's kitchen, if you find this doable then it opens up the possibility of going up snowden via the pyg track which is slightly more challenging terrain than the llanberis path or rangers path but you get to cheat a bit by driving uphill a long way before starting walking (or parking in nant peris and catching the Sherpa bus).

Other than that you need to work on really building up the length of time you are exercising.

@ClearEyesFullHearts don’t be daft, wasn’t condescending at all and I’m glad it inspired you because it was meant to. I can’t emphasise just how unfit I was. We did the llanberis path and the beginning on the tarmac before you even get on the fecking mountain nearly killed me. I cried and contemplated giving up on numerous occasions but I’m so proud of myself that I didn’t give up and did it. It helped doing it overnight as I think being able to see how far away the top was would have made it much more difficult. It took me about 4 hours to get to the top and 2 hours to get back down.

A few things

Weeing - the more you hill walk the less you care. Hillwalkers are all very good at 'not noticing' people weeing.

Pick a weekend near mid summer to maximise light. If at all possible dont pin yourself to a particular weekend until you can see the forecast.

C25k - it is great even if you can't run. Just do slow walk and power walk instead. My power walk is actually faster that my slow run.

I did it with no training in 5 1/2 hours up and down.

I do swim gym train 2/3 times a week but did not do walking training.

I’m not going to lie it was the hardest physical challenge I’d ever done. Even harder than the great north run but I was so proud of all of us.

I’m 48

I’d I can do you can. Keep up with the goals and it will keep you motivated.

I loved it.

Depending on what time of year you are going and which route, you will probably need to get there really early. If you are looking at the Pen y Pas car park (for Pyg/Miners track) you are looking at about 7/8am at the latest on a nice summers day

I did the Watkin Path (which isn't one of the more popular routes) on a pleasant Easter Saturday and we got there just before 9am and there was literally one space left in that car park.

We did it the about 4 weeks back. Up the Pyg path (park at the park and ride at Pen y pass £5 day parking and £2 on the bus to the bottom of the Pyg path the pyg path car park is full by 9am)
We walked down the Llanberis path as one of our group was starting to have painfull knees. (Then bus back to Pen y pass park and ride)
We were going to use the miners path down, I wasn't keen as it was super steep when we looked on the way up.
We started out at 9.30am, and got back to Llanberis at 5.00pm with a 30 minute stop and some pictures at the top.
It's all pretty clearly marked and easy to follow.
Pyg path has a few bits where you scramble over. Llanberis path is well worn and easy to follow but takes longer. The top has been cloudy and rainy every time I've been up. Take layers, and some waterproof pull over pants and hats, gloves. Make sure you have good comfy walking shoes/boots. a pole is very handy, loved mine.
I went to sports direct, got a Gelert pole for £6 (two for £10) and pull over waterproof pants (also Gelert) for £11, well worth it. I've my shoes for years, got new inserts, slazenger, and love them.

We did Llanberis path both ways setting off about 8am and on mountain all day really. Lucky with weather but had waterproofs and basic first aid kit with us. Got a brew at halfway cafe and lunch at cafe at top but don't rely on these for food good idea to have snacks with you and plenty of drinks. First part of route on tarmac is tough then it does become less relentless. Coming down does hammer your knees a bit. We had a clear day but unfortunately views at top not guaranteed

I had no training, I'm a stone overweight and do Zumba twice a week, did fine, lots of short stops for a breather, sips of water and a protein bar, and my friends to have a ciggarette.

One more thing if you try it and dont make it all the way to the top - so what! You've still tried and done a fuck ton more than most people.

Better to admit defeat and turn around than half to explain to 20 plus mountain rescue people why they've had to come and get you.

I’m climbing Snowdon with some friends next May, I’m overweight and unfit so just place marking here so I can come back for inspiration!

lots of stairs OP! When training for walking holidays to the Alps my dad used to make us put telephone directories in our rucksacks and go up and down the stairs for half an hour a night!

You could try follow a training plan, something like this
But if you google Snowdon training programme / plan etc, you will find a few more to choose from

Plenty of climbing OP. So first I’d start with some lovely walking trails with some decent incline. You don’t want to go too hard initially and then go home. Easy does it so to speak.

Once you’ve upped your fitness a little with the walking I’d suggest some mountain climbs. Again, I’d suggest starting off slowly, maybe some climbs that take between 2-3 hours at a max as they will be tiring. You can keep pushing yourself with each climb.

DP and I did Snowdon in the summer and agree it wasn’t hot up there. Poles definitely help. We are climbing Kili so we’ve begun our training.
The 3 peaks are next.

We did it this summer with teens. They just ran back and forth like mountain goats.

I found it hard. We took the Llanberis route. The first bit is tarmac but quite horribly steep and I nearly turned back. I had to ask family not to speak to me! After that the path levels out quite a bit before getting steep again but the tarmac disappears and the rocky path is lumpy and uneven like this photo which adds to the demand.

I think walking Parkrun would be a really good idea. There are always people walking and someone volunteers to walk with them and be encouraging. Otherwise try to get out and walk longer distances in the countryside even if it’s along a canal.

You will need refreshments as the little place half way up is not open all the time and you will need snacks and drinks. I had a pasty in the cafe at the top.

A group ran past us as we walked down but then one of them fell grazing his face and knees. He and his friends hailed a train and we next saw him sat at the station with his bandaged knees drinking a coffee.

You can just walk up it can’t you.
The train track runs alongside the path

@Dowser you absolutely can’t just assume you’ll get on the train as many people book it in advance. Presumably numerous people have been absolute arseholes to the staff because the cafe is covered in signs about not being able to just hop on the train/ that they won’t tolerate abuse of staff.

DH did Snowdon, Scaefell and Ben Nevis in 24 hours last year for charity. Late 40's. Younger fitter people dropped out and one was airlifted off, but the remainder did it with twenty minutes to spare.
He says coming down was far harder. Preparation is everything and some good tips here. Swears by silk lined socks (?) to prevent friction.

I've been up Snowdon a few times. I'm 50 and overweight but can run 5k etc. I would recommend that you use the Llanberis path. I did that one at Easter and although it's very long it's by far the easiest way. We did the Miners' route in July and it was a bit of a scramble in places. I certainly had to use my hands on occasion to pull myself up etc. It was also very busy and we often had to wait for people to come through the tricky places.

Don't do anything but the Llanberis path if you're not comfortable stepping higher than your knee height for a prolonged period!

Another word of warning: if you decide to do the Miners or Pyg track and can't get into the car park by the youth hostel, be sure to get all four wheels off the road if you park at the side of the road. We saw dozens of cars with parking tickets last time. They are really strict and it would be miserable to get back to your car to a fine.

All the posts have been so helpful, overflowing with great tips, and such a diverse range of experience. Thank you.

Im also re-thinking C25k and Parkrun, but over the next month or two will start with incorporating some steps, squats, and strength into the regular cardio I’m currently doing.

My biggest concern is the heart—and that’s more to do with fear rather than what my cardiologists tells me is possible—so it’s a psychological as well as a physical barrier to overcome.

Also committing to a weekly outdoor walk. I do have a nearby hill, just the one, which is about 75m so I can start with conquering that to accustom myself to outdoor walking. Very good points about gym bunnies/treadmill types (which I am not, but still) have been known to struggle with walking/running on an actual mountain.

Also, I am really taking one board the advice about descending!

I did snow don as the last mountain doing the 3 peaks challenge

Definitely the easiest mountain but we had done Ben Nevis first, then had a quick sleep in cramped mini bus in way to Scafell. Did Scafell at 6am in the rain then a quick rest in minibus en route to snow don. Was off snow don at 9.30pm having taken 26 hours to do the 24 hour challenge!

Just wasn’t fit enough I guess!

Waffles...I meant there’s a really gentle route alongside the train track
I hadn’t read the full thread..I thought op was wanting to do a proper climb with pitons and crampons
And thought for her first climb or of she just wanted to see snowdon ..there’s a gentle path.

I regularly go up (3-4 times a month). I run the llanberis path and that is the easiest to walk. Personally id go up and down that. Do NOT go up/down the south ridge as you go off the Rhyd Ddu path.

If you do Rangers/Rhyd Ddu you must visit the Cwellyn Arms for a pint!

Decent boots, layers, water, food etc.

I went up last week in the sunshine and it was frozen at the top.

Op I’m watching them mountain’ just now on itv

Second part,download them, it’s all about snowdon so you will see what it’s like

We are watching and have decided to do it again next year via a different path. It’s addictive!