Snowdon

[CAPP0]

My dogs love the snow, but living in the SE they rarely see any. I saw a rental cottage advertised in N Wales, near Snowdon, where it says there will be snow. I guess my questions are, what's the likelihood of there being snow in Dec/Jan, and are there places you can get to where you can into the snow and where the dogs can have a run around without risking disappearing off a 1000ft drop? I've been up Snowdon before but not for 30-odd years now (I MTBd up and back down again, we tried a few routes before setting on the one which follows the railway up).

[Welshbeef]

BBC has a 4 part series on Snowden very recently (4 seasons on the mountain). Wonderful viewing but might give you a snapshot of what it can be like at that time of year

[CAPP0]

Cool, thanks, I'll look that up.

[Wacky Racer]

Snow? Very likely that time of year.

You are pretty safe following the railway track up from Llanberis, but I would not attempt it if there is heavy mist near the top, Snowdon is a friendly mountain in nice weather, but can be a killer in winter.

A walk along the river bank at Betws y coed is enjoyable.

Have a ride on the Ffestiniog railway up to Blaenau Ffestiniog from Porthmadog.....wonderful

[Rh14n]

There may well be snow at that time of year high up on the mountains and plenty of places to explore and enjoy in the area. Be aware though that you will be restricted on allowing your dogs to 'have a good run around' by livestock and the weather. The weather may be very unpredictable up here but there's plenty of places to visit whatever the weather - great, dog-friendly beaches, river banks, forestry etc. all within an easy 30 minutes drive of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Just kit yourself up in suitable clothing and get out there to enjoy it!

[CAPP0]

Thanks all.

@wacky_racer, when we cycled up there years ago, the first day we encountered serious mist. My recollection (may be incorrect!) is that there's a point where the railway crosses over the top of the track and as we got to that point we encountered a complete white-out. My friend was a little crazier than me and wanted to press on but I said no. When we went back up in clear conditions the next day, we were not very far at all from a massive drop.

I ski a lot so I'm familiar with being in the mountains and always show them plenty of respect.

Thanks for the tips, all sounds good.

[Wacky Racer]

Personally, I can't see any point in climbing Mountains in thick mist that is in for the day, many a time I have got to the summit of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Cross Fell etc, and I haven't been able to see more than a few metres in front of me, total waste of time, no views and dangerous too.

I now prefer to wait for a nice clear day

[Rh14n]

Wacky Racer said:

Personally, I can't see any point in climbing Mountains in thick mist that is in for the day, many a time I have got to the summit of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Cross Fell etc, and I haven't been able to see more than a few metres in front of me, total waste of time, no views and dangerous too.

I now prefer to wait for a nice clear day

Same here which is why the area's pretty good to visit even in winter. If the weather's bad up the hills there's always coastline or sheltered areas for walks or cycle rides. If you're properly kitted up there's plenty to do.

[anonymous-user]

Do not go up the railway track beyond the half way station in the snow, it looks easy but loads of people slid from there and you go over the far east buttress of Cloggy, I'm sure you'll find loads of reference if you google it, well know danger area, and the advice above is simply wrong. Cwm Idwal up to the Devils Kitchen will have snow if there is any around.or the miners track to the lakes nice easy flat walk in.

[Rh14n]

Which advice do you say is wrong Berw? I think we've all suggested that he needs to respect the danger related to the weather and suggested plenty of other, safer activities if the weather is too bad to go up Snowdon.

[alistair1234]

I've been up Snowdon in December, Jan, Feb, every year for the last few years, always up the Pyg track. There will always be Snow at the top. I think the deepest we've seen is around 2ft for the final walk to the cafe. It will also be very windy, sometimes almost too windy to stand up on the structure at the top.

There will also be ice, i've seen it from as low as 300m and sometimes only from around 800m. This will be your biggest issue as on various points near the top you will have to do some scrambling.

They normally have signs in the carpark recommending crampons and ice picks, but we've never used either, just walking boots. A couple of friends did buy some cheap spikes to stick on for around £5 from millets and they seemed to help on the sheet ice bits.

We go up with our Border Terrier and he has to come back down in my rucksack due to how cold it is at the top, be prepared for -15 with wind chill. He can make it up to the top fine, but he gets the shakes and to keep him warm we stick him in my bag until it warms up again on the way down.

Even in those conditions we can get up and down in 4 hours, versus 3 hours 15 in the middle of summer.

I would not try to attempt the trip with young children at that time of year.

Also, this may seem obvious, but to some of our friends not, the cafe at the top does not open in the winter.

[Nimby]

Around half way up (?), mid-April.

Plenty of deep snow for her to roll in towards the summit; the railway wasn't running because of snow.

[Wacky Racer]

[quote=Berw]Do not go up the railway track beyond the half way station in the snow, it looks easy but loads of people slid from there and you go over the far east buttress of Cloggy, I'm sure you'll find loads of reference if you google it, well know danger area, and the advice above is simply wrong. Cwm Idwal up to the Devils Kitchen will have snow if there is any around.or the miners track to the lakes nice easy flat walk in.[/quote

Yes, It can be treacherous around Clogwyn station when icy, if you walk right next to the railway track you will be OK, but I wouldn't stray more than a couple of metres away from it, and avoid the walk altogether in mist.

I've climbed Snowdon around twenty times from all directions over the last fifty years and always treat it with great respect, remember weather conditions can change completely in five minutes on the tops.