Page 4 | Climbing Snowdon early pregnancy?

MsBallen · 2022-07-31T16:42:00+00:00

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.

Fedupandthensome · 01/08/2022 01:15

OP, please, please, sit this one out. I stupidly climbed Scafell pike (the highest peak in England ) at 14 weeks pregnant and I really struggled to make it back down due to exhaustion.

Pre pregnancy I regularly ran for a club and was pretty fit (sub 45 min 10k pb, 1 hour 41 half marathon pb) so stupidly assumed that a slow mountain walk, even if steep, would be fine due to my previous levels of fitness.

However, you don't realise how much pregnancy is affecting you until you try something strenuous. It felt 10 times harder than a hike when not pregnant and I was on the cusp of having to stay on the top of the mountain in freezing cold rain (weather can get suddenly bad at that altitude) and having to send DH to get help.

LemonSwan · 01/08/2022 01:57

I wouldn’t and the reason is not because of your level of fitness / experience / stage of pregnancy etc.

It’s because if you realise you have made a mistake, then your stuck on a flipping mountain with no respite and no easy way back.

If you want to challenge yourself with a mega walk surely there’s a better option which gives you opportunities to opt out if you need to.

milkyaqua · 01/08/2022 02:12

I have unfortunately ended after 12 weeks. Am 9 weeks currently exact same zero symptoms.

I find your absolute dogged determination to do this even odder after reading that.

ShinyMe · 01/08/2022 06:46

Have you broken in these walking boots? Are your feet completely used to them, on slopes, both up and downhill, on rocky ground? You would be surprised at the number of people who buy some, then just wear them round the house for 20 minutes and then get surprised when they rub blisters after 4 hours or where their toenails hurt when they start coming downhill, or where they end up stumbling around because their feet feel heavier wearing them.

And a litre of water isn't enough. Seriously, check out the Llanberis Mountain Rescue page, they have lots of great advice.

Donotgogentle · 01/08/2022 06:53

I went up Snowdon at 5 months pregnant and it was great, but it was about the 6th time I’d been up.

You don’t sound like you know what you’re doing op (sorry!) or have the fitness, so no I really wouldn’t recommend it.

SwanBuster · 01/08/2022 06:54

I wouldn’t, based on what you’ve written about doing it alone and your general fitness.

However, there is no rule that says you have to go right to the summit, on any walk. The views are good from half way up the pyg path. Get to the ancient lakes, rest a bit and that might be satisfying enough.

borntobequiet · 01/08/2022 07:06

Your pregnancy isn’t a problem. Your lack of relevant experience and bizarre attitude is.
Do something else.

loulouljh · 01/08/2022 07:10

I did it at 8 weeks pregnant and was fine. But was very used to walking...

Donotgogentle · 01/08/2022 07:14

SwanBuster · 01/08/2022 06:54

I wouldn’t, based on what you’ve written about doing it alone and your general fitness.

However, there is no rule that says you have to go right to the summit, on any walk. The views are good from half way up the pyg path. Get to the ancient lakes, rest a bit and that might be satisfying enough.

That’s a good suggestion. Walking up the Miners track to Llyn Llydaw is stunning. You’re in the centre of the horseshoe and it’s amazing.

Basilthymerosemary · 01/08/2022 07:28

You seem completely unprepared. From your posts it sounds like you've fallen for the "Instagram" images of walking a mountain. Yes the llanberis path is the easiest but it's still a mountain! I'm expecting you to have to call moutain recuse 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

ShinyMe · 01/08/2022 07:50

I mean, op is obviously going to go, and she will most likely be fine. It's true that 100s of people go up every day and don't need the mountain rescue, and I think it lulls people into thinking that it's just fine and it's easy, without realising how easily things can turn dangerous in a second. There are things that sensible people can do to make that possibility less of a risk, but it's only experience that makes people understand why they're necessary and not paranoia/being ott. I mean, the rescue team is out, what, 10 times last weekend, and based on numbers there's a good chance it won't be op that needs the rescue, and if she's willing to take that risk, well then, go for it.

Original poster

MsBallen · 01/08/2022 07:56

ShinyMe · 01/08/2022 07:50

I mean, op is obviously going to go, and she will most likely be fine. It's true that 100s of people go up every day and don't need the mountain rescue, and I think it lulls people into thinking that it's just fine and it's easy, without realising how easily things can turn dangerous in a second. There are things that sensible people can do to make that possibility less of a risk, but it's only experience that makes people understand why they're necessary and not paranoia/being ott. I mean, the rescue team is out, what, 10 times last weekend, and based on numbers there's a good chance it won't be op that needs the rescue, and if she's willing to take that risk, well then, go for it.

Thank you this is exactly it. I'm not unprepared at all simply because I haven't climbed the fucking mountain before. Thousands of people go up every year without incident. Literally everyone I know apart from me has been up and I'm the fittest of all of my friends. No incidents. No one else I know who has been up has any concern for me going. Even all the mountain guides for Snowdon say you need a reasonable level of fitness not be a professional freaking rambler and I do have a good level of fitness.

OP posts:

Octomore · 01/08/2022 07:57

MsBallen · 31/07/2022 17:56

Glad to hear other people have done it pregnant ☺️

Pregnant women have climbed pretty much any mountain you can think of. Alison Hargreaves did the Lauper route on the north face of the Eiger pregnant.

I think the advice is that you should aim to stick to levels of exercise that are normal for you. So if you're fit and a walker, go for it.

Original poster

MsBallen · 01/08/2022 07:57

borntobequiet · 01/08/2022 07:06

Your pregnancy isn’t a problem. Your lack of relevant experience and bizarre attitude is.
Do something else.

How is wanting to climb the most walked Mountain path a bizarre attitude?

OP posts:

Original poster

MsBallen · 01/08/2022 07:58

milkyaqua · 01/08/2022 02:12

I have unfortunately ended after 12 weeks. Am 9 weeks currently exact same zero symptoms.

I find your absolute dogged determination to do this even odder after reading that.

Walking up a mountain doesn't cause a miscarriage🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

monkeysmum21 · 01/08/2022 07:59

Did it while I was 5 months pregnant (1st pregnancy) so I was still fit and running. It all depends on your level of fitness. Just remember you’ll need extra water and nutrients. Good luck

Octomore · 01/08/2022 08:00

Although if you're not someone with any experience of walking up mountains I'd say it may not be the best idea.

Crocky · 01/08/2022 08:01

Have you walked those boots in? I have a pair that are years old and well walked in. Never an issue with them. Bought new ones a couple of years ago, felt the same sort of fit and very comfy. Walked them around on the flat a bit. Did my first hill and came back with blisters and two black toe nails. I keep those ones for muddy dog walks now.

Octomore · 01/08/2022 08:02

MsBallen · 01/08/2022 07:57

How is wanting to climb the most walked Mountain path a bizarre attitude?

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It might be the most walked, but it's also got among the highest number of MR (possibly the highest).

Octomore · 01/08/2022 08:02

MR callouts I meant

notacooldad · 01/08/2022 08:04

As long as its something you normally do anyway and your mot throwing up every 10 mins why not. I regularly went mountain walking in the Lzkes and in the West coast of Scotland when I was pregnant with my two. They must have got the bug in the womb as they are very keen hikers now they are in their 20's!!

Crocky · 01/08/2022 08:04

@Octomore do you know why that is? I’ve only gone up the main path and back but it is so straightforward and so peopled, with the cafe on the way up and the building at the top to stop at. So unlike anything in the lakes so it really surprises me.

lljkk · 01/08/2022 08:11

The main trail is easy enough, you'll be fine. Enjoy!!

Oblomov22 · 01/08/2022 08:13

Don't see why not. Ds1 is bloomin in big next month. The 6 day paths are fine for anyone relatively fit.

ShinyMe · 01/08/2022 08:15

MsBallen · 01/08/2022 07:56

Thank you this is exactly it. I'm not unprepared at all simply because I haven't climbed the fucking mountain before. Thousands of people go up every year without incident. Literally everyone I know apart from me has been up and I'm the fittest of all of my friends. No incidents. No one else I know who has been up has any concern for me going. Even all the mountain guides for Snowdon say you need a reasonable level of fitness not be a professional freaking rambler and I do have a good level of fitness.

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Lol. Uou have entirely misunderstood my post, which just proves my point really.

Op you have done some minor preparation. i recommend you do the other things people have recommended, but I doubt you will. Hey ho.

"Fingers crossed" isn't the attitude I'd be taking to this,when there are things you could to to prepare and mitigate risks, but whatever.