Climbing Snowdon/ top tips pls

[Thethingswedoforlove]

We are climbing Snowdon soon. Teens are fir enough but not super fit. I am taking this seriously. Ensuring the correct clothing and food and drink etc. We plan to go up via lanberris . Is it really boring to return that way? If we go back down the ranger path is there a bus that can take us back to lanberris? I plan to set off early. To bring a physical map and compass just in case. What else should I be considering? What else should I know?

Take the train.

Sorry that was a bit rude of me.

@StCharlotte

Check the local weather very carefully

It gets very foggy and cold very quickly and mountain rescue are run off their feet rescuing people who are on their way down

I went up with my 9 year old last week - you really don’t need a map and compass unless you’re choosing a highly eclectic route, so many people up there you need to queue at the top! Recommend waterproof trousers. Enjoy!

Don't underestimate just how different the weather can be between the bottom and the top. One August back holiday my companion and I set out in glorious sunshine, but it was so wet and foggy at the summit that we couldn't see each other walking a couple of feet apart.

There are various ways up, some easier than others, I can't remember which is which but I think llanberis is an easier one.

We did it a few years ago, did ranger path I think, I was surprised how precarious it was in places. People were doing it in ridiculous footwear - we wore walking boots and sensible walking clothing. Took food as it took all day basically. It's usual to go down the same way you came up.

Ds wanted to go Crib Goch (he was about 12 and very adventurous) but I said no, we passed people doing it omg! crawling along a spine of rock so probs avoid that op. But otherwise it's fine. There is a massive shop at the top so you can buy a hat saying you climbed it.

If you dont feel up to the full trek you could always take the train half way - go to the summit and walk back - we did that when DS2 was about 7. Still managed to clock up about 12 miles on the llanberis path. Good footwear is essential and if you have rubbish knees like mine walking poles might be helpful. Take masses of high energy snacks we got through a huge amount. The weather was very windy, misty and cold at the top, while sunny and pleasant at the bottom so ample warm clothing is essential. Good luck its a great walk and you get a real feel of accomplishment.

We climb every year, it's my happy place.
We tend to go up the Pyg track. There is a car park at the bottom of the track. You start climbing a little higher than the Llanberis path, but it's probably harder going, esp for first timers.
The Llanberis path is a beautiful climb once you get past the steep tarmac bit that leads up to the gate onto the mountain.
It's quite steep in places and it's the longest of the paths, but there are rough 'steps' along much of the path making it that bit easier.
Once you get about 2/3 up, there's a little bridge where the train goes over..it's a bit of a drop down the other side but the views are stunning.
It gets a little tougher (and colder!) from there on, it's much steeper and the ground is slightly more loose underfoot.
There's a bit of a junction as you near the top where 2 paths meet so it can get a little busy.
Be prepared to queue for your summit photo, the last couple of times we've been it's been ridiculously busy!
I can't help with the bus from the bottom of the rangers path, but the path itself is a little more tricky to navigate in places, particularly steep about halfway up/down but fairly moderate climb for beginners and it's mostly a flat road like path once you get past the halfway point. It's also a much quieter path compared to Llanberis!
Have a great time, its such a beautiful place!

As much snacks as you can carry

Thanks all. Very sound advice.

Hi,

As pp's have said the temperature variation between the bottom/mid/top of Snowdon can be significant.

More light layers are much better than one thick one. Pack lighter and smaller, keep you warmer as they trap air in between the layers and give you more control over your temperature.

Typically at this time of year I'd start in a short sleeve tee shirt and walking trousers and add a bigger long sleeve tee, a thin fleece and waterproofs as I climb.

Make sure you wear your boots in but regardless take Compeed blister plasters - much, much better than normal plasters.

Other than that, gloves, hat and I always pack a spare pair of socks in case they get wet/sweaty - plus plenty of water, energy snacks etc

Finally check the weather before you set off.

Good luck and enjoy!

@DeRigueurMortis really practical. Thank you

Hi Op
Good luck!
I was looking to do thid recently and read up a lot online.
The fact that there are no toilets put me off. We looked at the train one way but that wasn't an option and it was also fully booked.
Do take a beanie hat!
We were in the area recently and did some fairly easy hilly walks but the wind was a killer and I so missed having a beanie on my head

Hope you have fun!

I am assuming I will sweat lots a bit like being on a long run and won’t need the loo! Thanks for the beanie tip @Scoobydoobydoo

Hello, we did this last week. It was 18 degrees and sunny at the bottom and 3 degrees at the top and so windy our DC literally could not stand up without getting blown down again!!

We read before hand to take a fleece, wool hat, wool gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen with us in backpack as well as waterproof coats. DIdn't need the sunscreen and sunglasses but we needed the gloves, hats and fleece desperately.

We did PYG up which was far too much for our DC in retrospect, Ranger or LLamberis would have been much better. LLamberis also has a cafe half way up, but its takeaway only and the loo isn't open due to covid. The cafe at the top isn't open at all, so take all you will need food and drink wise with you.

There is easy transport between the different paths called the Sherpa system. You can pay on board and board at different places. If you google it the timetables will come up but make sure you all have face coverings, they were turning away people who had just come down a mountain, were freezing cold and wet through if they didn't have one.

A lof of the car parks, eg the one at the bottom of the PYG, have just become book in advance only, you can't turn up on the day. There are 3 or 4 long stay car parks in LLamberis opposite the entrance to the railway and the Sherpa bus stops by them. There are also public loos there, in an alleyway that goes down the side of the bridge hotel.

The llanberis path is one of the easiest routes up but fairly long. Shorter but steeper popular routes the pyg track and miners track which start from higher up at pen y pass. They are both straightforward. The ranger path is quieter but steeper in places. If you plan to use it, I would go up that way as it's much easier to go up a tricky path than down. Not sure about buses but you could park in llanberis and get a taxi to the start. Or you could come down /go up via the pyg track and back via the llanberis path - there are regular buses between the two (as parking at pen y pass is almost impossible). There are toilets at the visitor centre at the top. Finally absolutely take a map. The clouds can come in quickly on Snowdon, it's easy to become disoriented at the top and there a multiple routes down, some easier than others Following people is not a good idea!

sorry public loos in alleyway by the heights hotel on the high street, not the bridge, i got the name wrong. Visitors centre at the top shut until 2022.

We usually do the Miners track from Pen y Pass - lovely walk and only a bit scrambly towards the end. You have to get there early to get a parking space, or use the Sherpa bus from Llanberis.
The Llanberis path is long and pretty boring compared to other routes. It is well travelled though and safe.
The weather can change quickly and it is often cold at the top. Take layers for all weathers.
It is ridiculously busy at the moment (we were there last Thursday) and there can be queues on the popular routes and up to the very summit. The cafe at the top is not open at all at the moment.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bunch-people-tried-go-up-21352814

Here is what not to do 😬

I did Rhyd Ddu and it was fab.

Take snacks and wear layers. Have a pasty at the top

What else should you know? What about how to spell LLanberis correctly?

@VerinMathwin. Apologies. Thank you for the correction.

Check weather!

I’d go up Pyg or miners track (bus from llanberis to start point) and down Llanberis path. Llanberis path is long and a bit of a slog on the way up. There are a couple of sections on the path where you need to take care.

Going down ranger path means you end up in different valley so you would need to be very sure bus can get you back.

When I went up the fog descended really quickly on the way down and I got separated from my companion. It was pretty scary as I couldn’t even see my hands in front of me. Do check the weather beforehand and, I would suggest, if dense fog descends, stay rooted to the spot till it clears.