WALES SNOWDON 1085 M

2020-01-24 Friday

Arter a longer break (than planned) from the mountains it was time to go back to Great Britain. This time it was Wales. I wanted to try a winter climb on a less technical required mountain, which I thought Snowdon will be. It showed out that the weather in Snowdonia has been to warm so there was no winter conditions at all. 

For the first time, my spouse was with me on a mountain hike. We took the flight to Manchester and picked up our rental car and drove to Llanberis in Snowdonia, took us around 2 hours including a lunch break. 

We had booked a Airbnb-cabin log up in the mountains which was really cosy. But the road up with the car was definitely not a cosy ride. We thought we were totally lost. But it showed out that the small road for only one car, and sheeps all over the place was the correct way. 

First day we did some sightseeing. Visited Caernarfon Castle, a medieval fortress in Gwynedd county. Daniel had read about a town with very long name. It turned out that this was Europe’s longest town name and worlds second. It was a short drive so we thought it was worth a visit. And it actually was. Cause it is was so funny, the 58 letter long townname:

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch.

20-01-25 Saturday 

This day was summit day. We started the hike from Pen-y-pass which is a very popular starting point. Specially during winter months since Llanberis path is recommended only in summer. Luckily we got the last parking spot at Pen-y-pass, and we could start the hike just before 0900 am. 

We choosed to ascend via Miners Track. A friendly walk for a few kilometers and then some steeper section when merging into PYG tracks. The weather was nice, some plus degrees, cloudy and poor visibility. But that was expected, proper British weather. You walk by beautiful lakes and I can imagine that if the weather is clear it is lovely. 

After around 1.5 hours Miners Track merges to PYG track. We thought we would be the only ones on the mountain this day but it was so many hikers out, specially from the Bwlch Glas ridge where the two paths connects and you have the last part left to the summit. 

During summer months there is a railway working all the way to the summit. I am glad this was not in use this day because I can imagine it must be much more crowded at the summit then.

Last part was a little windy and snowy but still perfect conditions for a summit hike. No snow and no need for technical equipment in January this year. But usually it might be needed. 

We reached the summit from a comfortable hike along the ridge and parallel with the railway. Very slippery stones since it was icy all over. But we had good shoes, I think there was other up there with less grip than we had. 

We reached the summit at 11.15, exactly 2 hours and 35 minutes from the parking lot. Took the summit selfie and happy posing in front of the summit stone, Snowdon 1085 m. 

Turned back and choosed to go via PYG track to have the view over the lakes we passed. It was a very good idea. It was beautiful to see them from the above. 2.5 hours later and a lot of photographing we were back to the parking lot. I was really proud over Daniel who did his first mountain, without any doubts. 

20-01-26 Sunday 

Today we did a visit at Ceunant Mawr Waterfall, which was right next to our cabin log. Enjoyed the waterfall and environment.  Before heading to Manchester Airport we decided to take a quick visit at Bangor. A small university city. Not much to see more than “hey I’ve been to Bangor”. 

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