your comments
Bryan Benn, Kent
To Susan, Hertfordshire. You are not a failure. You were very sensible in turning back when you were unhappy with the weather you encountered. Snowdon isn't going anywhere. It will still be there when you can go back in better weather and try again.
Mon Sep 7 09:44:30 2009
maria from Bournemouth
Thank you Geoff & Leo for your helpful input not knowing what to expect we felt it was safer to turn around as I said it was very windy & cold and didn"t want to risk our lives, but knowing now what to expect we feel a lot better and will try again heed to say we do have the right clothing & equipment and proper boots and will still turn round if we feel the need to,I can"t believe the people that go up with inappropriate clothing is beyond me.
Fri Sep 4 16:39:33 2009
Geoff from Stoke
To Sue from Hertfordshire, I've said it before on here DON'T FEEL A FAILURE,it is better to accept defeat and turn back to walk another day than to succum to the foul weather. Imagine how I felt last winter near the top of the zigzags on the pyg track fully kitted out ice axe crampons the full works, considering turning back when people cam past me who looked like they were going shopping.
If you look at the call out figures for the local mountain rescue teams there has been a steady increase in the number of call outs, the majority are to ill equipped/experienced people. I know a lot of people travel a%! 20long way just to walk up Snowdon and feel they have to succeed come what may. To those people I would say always have an alternative low level walk as a reserve, theres loads to choose from.By the way ref my previous post, I found a walking forum just did a web search loads of usefull stuff
Fri Sep 4 16:38:59 2009
Leo Huddersfield
Maria, we walked the Rhyd Ddu path last week in some horrible weather. The ridge walk at the top is a little bit scary but very short, 100-200 yards. It was windy when we did it, 40-50mph gusts, but it was ok, any windier though and it would have been a bit scarier. Just beyond the ridge is a wide path that leads to the summit.
Thu Sep 3 14:20:15 2009
Susan, Hertfordshire
Sun 30th. Managed to climb up to the railway bridge(i think its the 2nd pass the halfway house)in awful rain & high winds, apprx 60mph! we had climbed the steep rocky steps,turned to walk under this bridge & was warned by passers by that the wind was very strong & scary!! Wow!it was strong,we stopped with the steep path ahead of us, tried to walk towards the narrowing path, I panicked the wind was too strong for me, we turned round and had a steady walk back down. I am gutted, two days later & I feel a failure.
Why is it when you think you are prepared clothes,food,shoes,etc..&%2! 0people pass you in trainers,fashion coats,no hats,gloves etc. & continue up the paths,laughing about the weather & I'm sitting behind rocks shaking like a leaf!!! Failure is a bitter pill to swallow...OH..MUST SAY THAT A YOUNG LADY WAS RUNNING UP TO THE SUMMIT, dont know if she gotto the top,saw her again as she passed us at the bottom still running!! Well done to her
Wed Sep 2 15:37:09 2009
Geoff from Stoke
To Maria about the Rhydd Ddu path, there is a couple of sections where the path becomes narrow with drops to the side but there is solid rock to the side to hold onto which also gives some shelter from the wind. Thers also a few nice short scrambling bits. The Rhydd Ddu is a much better path than the others because the views are better and it tends to be less crowded. Another option is start on the Watkins path then turn off and pick up the South Ridge to the summit ( or as I do miss the summit) then descend down the Watkin path.
Also could people take a hot drink in a flask with them because it amuses me the number of people who buy coffee at the summit cafe then carry it down with them.
But on a serious note... People who use trekking poles can you please be aware of people behind you and not swing poles around some guy nearly had my eye out twice the other week.
Wed Sep 2 15:36:32 2009
maria from Bournemouth
My husband and I climb snowdon at least twice a year in March & October, we"ve done Llanberis, pyg track, minors track, once we did the Rhydd Ddu path which we found quite interesting but we only got far as 200 yards past the gate at the top where it starts to be a bit scary, we didn"t go any further as the weather was very windy and very cold and we didn't know what to expect from then on so we turned back, disappointed but knowing we can do it another time, can someone tell me whats it like, can you proceed safely in that weather condition, Joe Hope says theres a drop on both sides so how wide is the path?
Thu Aug 27 09:46:37 2009
Stu on the Isle Of Wight
M James-Failsworth - i hope that wasnt Llyn Padarn in Llanberis as that has a toxic algae problem and dogs/people are advised not to enter the lake...
Thu Aug 27 09:45:57 2009
NIck Brookes
I have walked every path possible, the best being the Watkin with the plunge pools half way up. On a nice day go for a swim!
Tue Aug 25 16:17:10 2009
M James Failsworth
I climb Snowdon every week as I'm training for Kilimanjaro. Last week I went swimming in the lake at the bottom. Take my advice, don't ever try it, that lake is so cold it still sends a shiver down my spine now!
Mon Aug 24 12:06:44 2009
Joe Hope from Bracknell
I went up Snowdon on Tuesday 11th August 09 with my uncle on the Rhydd Ddu path. It was very windy and we could not see very far at the top. One bit was really scary when there was a drop on both sides and it was so windy. We managed to come down on the train to Llanberis.
Mon Aug 24 12:04:57 2009
Paul Hayes, West Midlands
We are well experienced, but we still turn back if the weather is not right, even if you are near the top. Never carry on if one of the party is in trouble or have had a panic attack. The new cafe is ok but like a cattle market on a good day. Much too busy.
Fri Aug 21 13:54:25 2009
Jacqui, Leicester
Myself and 3 friends made it up the Llanberis path on Aug 19th despite the high winds and driving rain, knowing that the summit cafe was shut and the train was only going part of the way up. It was a team effort getting to the top, but walking back down was a real battle. Soaked to the skin, boots like swimming pools, a path that had become a stream and once off the mountain a walk back to the youth hostel was a real physical and mental challenge. It was an experience I'll never forget, the power of mother nature, the beauty of the mountains (through the mist) and the realisation that we are capable of much more than we think we are.
Fri Aug 21 11:37:47 2009
Purchase, Beijing
Was over in the area late July, weather Ok-ish, managed to get our 4 year old and 8 year old up the Miners and down the Pyg with the wee one having a 30 min sleep on the cafe floor. Well pleased with them. As for the Cafe, bit too Welsh Assembly / Scot Parl feel to it for my liking. A lot of cash for the "same old/new" style. Oh well, 50 more years to alter it perhaps.
Wed Aug 19 13:55:53 2009
Snowdons in Australia
We're the Snowdon family in Australia and we've caught the train up Mount Snowdon four times and have never seen any of the view from the top due to the weather. I enjoy checking the webcam every few days and reading about the adventures of people making the effort to walk it. Well done all of you! It's great that I get to see what's happening on Mt Snowdon from the other side of the world.
Wed Aug 19 13:54:13 2009
Samantha from Helmshore
On Mon the 10th me and my family twice attempted to climb Snowdon but had to turn back due to bad weather. We firstly tried to climb the Pyg track in the morning but the sheet rain and driving wind got the better of us. Later that day after drying out our clothes we attempted the Miners track but time was not on our side. But we are going to try again on Friday and hopefully we will reach the summit this time. This time we will all be wearing the correct clothing for all weathers.
Tue Aug 18 09:24:01 2009
Geoff from Stoke
Caroline Stockport.. Ditto earlier comment.. Do not feel embarassed about turning back. I'm an experienced mountaineer and cringe at some of the people I see going up. So give yourself a pat on the back.Claire Wrexham...Well done to you and the family. Can I just say you have no excuse for not doing more of the hills given your location. Don't forget right kit and good navigation are a must, teach the kids the basics it'll make the walk more fun for them. May I recomend Moel Siabod just outside Capel Curig. It's a tad under 3000 feet but is an interesting walk with a little scrambling thrown in along the way.
Mon Aug 17 10:04:28 2009
Claire Leach from Wrexham
I went up Snowden recently with my family, my 10 year old son and 8 year old daughter. We went up the Pyg track and down the Miners. Took about 7 hrs. We all enjoyed it, the kids were fantastic. It helps if they really want to do it. They really felt like they'd accomplished something! "They'd conquered Snowdon." They now want to climb one of the other mountains.
Mon Aug 10 09:46:01 2009
Helen, Scotland
To Caroline Stockport. Do not be embrassed about your climb, I went up yesterday and got as far as the Miners Trail met the Pyg. Weather became the same and was scared to go any further with all those people going up and down. Went back down to lake and enjoyed the lovely weather there. Well done to you
Mon Aug 10 09:43:54 2009
PJ Mullahy, Leicester.
Taking the train up Snowdon and walking back down is easier? This is a common belief, But it's wrong! Way back in the 60s I visited the mountain and railway regulary. At that time I got to know many of the train staff. They know the mountain better than many visitors. They told me that it is far easier to walk up the mountain. Walking up your body is leaning slightly forward to keep your balance. But walking down your body is leaning slightly back to keep your balance. This puts a strain on the ankles which are not designed for walking in this position for long periods over rough ground. They recommend you should walk up, and if needed ride down (please check that single journey tickets are available before setting off).
Also, it should be remembered that the temperature at the summit is always much colder than at Llanberis. Even on hot days it will be several degrees colder. You should always carry a warm jumper and a waterproof. Always check the weather forecast before setting off.
Fri Aug 7 11:58:45 2009
Abi, Leicester
Three friends and I went up it yesterday. Up the Snowdon Ranger path, took 6 hours up and down... didn't see a thing. It was lovely up there today by the sounds of it though. Theo: I'm not sure any clothing is adequate. I was wearing what are supposedly very good waterproofs all over... was still soaked to the skin.
Thu Aug 6 10:12:25 2009
Theo
We (seven people, ages ranging from 13-52 and varying levels of fitness) went up on July 28, using the easiest but not easy path (Llanberis). Weather going up got progressively windy and rainy, coming down was even worse. It took approximately six hours with breaks. Our clothing was inadequate for the weather and we were soaked through on our return. A ridge near the top, was dangerous because of the wind's strength and the narrow path towards the peak. The views were hidden by the mist. Maybe we should have turned back at half way house, but it just goes to show, if you're careful and stop for breaks when you need to you can make it to the top, without risking your lives or rescuers.
Wed Aug 5 10:31:43 2009
Heather Milnes - Swindon
We too tried climbing Snowdon on Tuesday 28 July, following the Snowdon Ranger track. It was VERY windy and although we nearly reached the top we turned back just before as it was beginning to feel dangerous. However we are determined to go back at a later date and to get to the top as felt pretty disappointed.
Tue Aug 4 11:07:25 2009
Pete Tompkins, Gloucester
Only a few day to go (Sat 8th Aug) before we go up the Pyg track carrying 40lbs in our backpacks, in support of the HELP for HEROES charity, and we're all really looking forward to a good weekend. We might have been training for the last 6 months, but it'll still be a massive challenge. I just hope the other 30 walkers in the team enjoy it as much as the four of us carrying the weight will. Look out for us on the day (depart Pen-y-Pass approx. 8:30 a.m, I'll be the one wearing Superman pants - don't ask).
Mon Aug 3 09:35:22 2009
Andy from Yorkshire
Many thanks for all the helpful info regarding our planned climb. We'll give it a go up the Llanberis Path in November then, weather permitting of course. My wife is very anti using the train, but we'll see how tired the kids are, and if there are any available seats for the downhill journey.
Thu Jul 30 16:01:29 2009
Mark Brooke
Anyone have the windspeed on Snowdon on Tuesday 28 July? It was very windy, just interested.
Thu Jul 30 11:38:04 2009
Kim Parker
To Andy, Yorkshire; following on from previous comments, why not try getting the train up and then walking back down? Much easier! It's about a two-thirds of the cost of a return trip, and I think it takes about an hour to get up, but if you aren't tied in to a return you can stay at the top as long as you want instead of only having 30 minutes. Both the Pyg and Miners track are good descent routes, and shorter than the Llanberis path, though the Miners track is about a mile longer. You can get buses from Pen Y Pass (where the Pyg/ Miners tracks finish) back to Llanberis- it's also much easier to get all day parking in Llanberis than towards Pen Y Pass. Have a good day.
Thu Jul 30 11:35:29 2009
Caroline, Stockport
I attempted my first Snowdon climb yesterday. The weather was a bit rainy and breezy when we began the walk up the Pyg track, a couple of hours later I was having a complete panic attack as the winds were so strong we couldn't stand up, let alone walk! We reached the point where the Miners' track joins and made our decent. We were so shocked and concerned to see so many groups continuing to ascend Snowdon looking completely unprepared for the conditions they were heading into. I do feel embarassed not to have made it to the summit, but am very glad we made it back in one (soggy and shaken) piece.
Wed Jul 29 09:38:59 2009
sean knighton
To Andy from Yorkshire, just a quick word of warning. There is no guarentee of getting the train back down. You can only get on if there are free seats for a one-way journey. Best of luck, enjoy and be safe.
Tue Jul 28 09:27:36 2009
sean knighton
To Andy from Yorkshire, just a quick word of warning there is no guarentee of getting the train back down - you can only get on if there are free seats for a one way journey. Best of luck enjoy and be safe.
Mon Jul 27 10:15:33 2009
Dean Brindley Stoke-on-Trent
Well I did it. Thanks to everyone who was so nice to me on the mountain. Hope everyone who had their photos taken on my bike got home safely. Nice day wasn't it?
Mon Jul 27 10:13:20 2009
Dean Brindley Stoke-on-Trent
I'm cycling up Snowdon on a Raleigh Chopper in the next few days - weather permitting. Look out for me. I'm the one on the... er Raleigh Chopper.
Thu Jul 23 15:09:50 2009
Carys Davies
I walked up Snowdon yesterday, first time I've been to the summit, bit hairy due to the high winds, amazed to see a man with a little baby tucked inside his fleece.
Thu Jul 23 12:58:58 2009
Maria, Bournemouth
Nice to know the new cafe has opened on top of Snowdon. Is it open all year round?
Web team: Only during the Snowdon Mountain Railway operating season. See Snowdon links for their website.
Mon Jun 15 10:17:51 2009
