Climbing Snowdon early pregnancy?

[MsBallen]

Has anyone got any experience climbing Snowdon in early pregnancy? Aibu to even consider it? Is there anything worth knowing? I would be getting the train there in the morning and when I finish.

Do you mean just up the main path that everyone does? As long as you’re reasonably fit, I think it would be fine. Just take breaks when you need to.

I walked an entire long distance footpath in my first pregnancy, did a bit (maybe 8-15 miles every weekend), and finished up somewhere in mid third trimester.

Why wouldn't you? Perhaps not any of the paths that need scrambling up rock faces, but the Llanberis or even the PYG paths are fairly tame.

Is it the sort of activity you normally do, or is it completely out of your comfort zone/fitness levels?

I believe the advice is to keep doing what you're doing already.

I am not pregnant so can't comment from that angle - but how pregnant would you be? Are you generally fit / have you climbed before?

I've climbed snowdon, great time had by all but slightly hard work due to changeable weather when we went. Quite risky if you're not fit / familiar with climbing I'd imagine, you'd have to be extra careful to plan around weather / routes and make sure you were safe to not take a tumble.

I was utterly exhausted - and quite sick during the first few weeks of all three of my pregnancies, so wouldn’t recommend it for that reason.

Last time I climbed Snowdon I had two pregnant friends with me. I think they were about 4/5 months and both over their morning sickness. As others have said, it depends on the trail and the weather.

If you’re reasonably fit and go up the easiest route then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do. My youngest walked it not long after he turned 6, so not a ridiculously hard slog. Just rest when you need to. May be worth taking some walking poles to give you more stability on loose stone so you don’t slip coming down.

I'm currently 9 weeks so would be maybe 10 or 11 weeks if I go. Never climbed before, am reasonably fit but have hEDS and haven't walked more that 3 miles before. I will be going alone as no one wants to accompany me.

It’s quite a basic walk imo, if you have any level of Norma fitness you will be absolutely fine.
Is there any specific problem relating to pregnancy you are worried about?

Glad to hear other people have done it pregnant ☺️

I did Watkins path at 11 weeks pregnant. No issues

If you haven't walked more than 3 miles before then obviously you shouldn't climb Snowdon, pregnant or not.

My mum walked up Snowdon the day before I was due, and she carried 3 of my dad's climbing ropes. She and I are both still fine.

Don't go alone. Go with an organised group - try meetup for hiking groups, or Large Outdoors, talk to the organiser and tell them your situation, choose a group that will go at a reasonably relaxed pace. The advice is to not go beyond the point where you can hold a conversation.

Start walking up a decebt incline (10-12%) on a treadmill to work out what you can manage, build up gradually if you feel up to it.

Oh, I just noticed this bit. Yes, you'd be stupid OP. Nothing to do with the pregnancy, but going from walking 3 miles to Snowdon is just asking for trouble.

Please don't try and climb Snowdon if that's your fitness level, pregnant or not.

Blimey, if you've never walked more than 3 miles before I wouldn't go up Snowden alone. Why don't you try something shorter first?

It's recommended that you stay active during pregnancy, but pushing yourself further than you've ever gone before is probably a bit daft, especially alone.

Is your hEDS causing you issues yet in your pregnancy? As obviously the extra relaxin zooming around your system could lead to more dislocations and/or pain.

Your title could read "would it be reasonable to attempt to climb snowdon if the furthest I've ever walked before is three miles?"

No it would not, and it's not got anything to do with being pregnant.

If you’ve never climbed before why on earth would you even consider doing it alone and pregnant?

No the hEDS hasnt caused any issues yet. I walk 3 miles constantly which is difficult due to living in an inner city and having no transport to go on any actual hiking trails. I do other fitness activities including skating. I was due to go with friends who have all bailed out and decided they don't want to go, i didn't realize you could book an actual group to go.

Walking uphill is a different kind of fitness to walking on the flat.

Oh shit I mean 3 miles there and 3 back not a 3 miles round walk. My nearest large discount store is 3 miles away and I always walk it and carry back loads of shopping on the 3 miles back.

I'm not sure I'd go alone in early pregnancy if you're not used to walking. I did a lot of walking pre-pregnancy, I'd think nothing if a 10-12 miles walk on a Sunday morning and back for lunch. In my first trimester I walked the half mile to visit my horses one morning and had to phone to be picked up and brought home (in March, so not as warm as now). My ability to walk any significant distance only returned around the 18 week mark and still left me exhausted afterwards.

Wow, it just gets worse. You can't go from walking 3 miles on pavements (on the flat?) to walking 8-10 miles uphill (and back again) on what is often rocky and uneven ground. Don't forget that there is also no cafe and no toilets at the moment either. Can you do 15-20 miles with no toilet breaks?

I've just looked, and it's a bit shorter than that actually, it's been a while since I've been (it's not the best walk in the area by a long way) but still, I think you'd be crazy.

Why not consider postponing your climb until you're fitter? You could even train for it while on mat leave as it's a great time to go on lots of walks. I climbed Snowdon with an 8 month old on my back and it was a lovely experience but I had walked much longer distances beforehand and completed the Three Peaks Challenge pre-pregnancy.