Snowden in the Winter?
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Discussion

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

17,796 posts

217 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
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Are staying reasonably close to Snowdon over the New Year and woudl like to take a trip to the summit at some point.

Obviously weather dependant but even if weather is good at normal level whats it likley to be up top?

Snow regardless?

Does the train run?

ewenm

28,506 posts

263 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
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I think they had their first snow last week. But this being Britain, it's just wait and see - it could be lots of snow or it could be dry and sunny. Likely to be windy. No idea if the train runs all year round.

charlie6387

13 posts

201 months

Thursday 3rd December 2009
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Me and some friends climbed snowdon on christmas day 2007 and it was really sunny most off the way up and then the weather changed, snowing at the top and alot off ice everywhere and windy but still really good fun and worth the walk. I would say go for it smile also the train wasnt running when we went.

madbadger

11,678 posts

262 months

Thursday 3rd December 2009
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Train doesn't run in the winter and the mountain is far better for it.

Even if it is running don't get it - then you can laugh at all the muppets who paid £30 or whatever it is when they could have just walked up instead. You can normally tell them as they are the fatties in shorts and t shirts who don't realise that it will be colder on top of a mountain than it is in Llanberis.

Top tip if you do hike up - it will be colder on top of the mountain than it is in Llanberis. Be sure to prepare for it.

Assume the visibility will be less than 1m at the summit, then you can be pleasantly surprised if it is any better. It took me 7 summits before I saw any view at all, but when you get it it is fabulous.

Take a map and a compass. You will probably need them as it is likely that the visibility will be poor. If you do it is pretty easy to not get lost as most of the routes up are well worn and pretty clear. It is up to you to pick a route that you are up to getting up.




Bill

56,272 posts

273 months

Thursday 3rd December 2009
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ewenm said:
I think they had their first snow last week. But this being Britain, it's just wait and see - it could be lots of snow or it could be dry and sunny. Likely to be windy. No idea if the train runs all year round.
yesAnd if it's snowy it can be very dangerous even on the easy paths.

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

17,796 posts

217 months

Thursday 3rd December 2009
quotequote all
Walking it is then.

Fingers crossed for decent weather.

We're all relativly fit, fairly regualr walkers etc so i assume with a map and compass in hand and decent clothign we'll have no problems?

Bill

56,272 posts

273 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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Dan_1981 said:
Walking it is then.

Fingers crossed for decent weather.

We're all relativly fit, fairly regualr walkers etc so i assume with a map and compass in hand and decent clothign we'll have no problems?
I've been glad to have crampons on the Pyg track before nowbiggrin

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

216 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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Bill said:
Dan_1981 said:
Walking it is then.

Fingers crossed for decent weather.

We're all relativly fit, fairly regualr walkers etc so i assume with a map and compass in hand and decent clothign we'll have no problems?
I've been glad to have crampons on the Pyg track before nowbiggrin
Agreed, even the pyg track has a couple of section where a slip could result in a helicopter ride home. I have done it in winter in my youth without crampons, but it wasn't the wisest of choices.

The opposite route from over the back (can't for the life of me remember the name) is a better option if your not wearing them.

ETA: Just to add re clothing. I once set off from the pass in glorious sun with no clouds and very little wind, with the temperature around 15degrees C. When we got to the top it was (at least) -20 with wind-chill and blowing like a bd. We only stayed at the top for about 5 minutes but it was long enough for the windward side of my goretex jacket to freeze solid. The top of Snowdon can be a nasty place if the weather turns.



Edited by rhinochopig on Friday 4th December 10:34

Bill

56,272 posts

273 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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rhinochopig said:
Agreed, even the pyg track has a couple of section where a slip could result in a helicopter ride home.
yesI spent most of my teens and 20s climbing and mixing with climbers and the only death* of someone I know was an experienced guy on the Pyg track in winter.



*Admittedly there have been a few close calls.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

216 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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Bill said:
rhinochopig said:
Agreed, even the pyg track has a couple of section where a slip could result in a helicopter ride home.
yesI spent most of my teens and 20s climbing and mixing with climbers and the only death* of someone I know was an experienced guy on the Pyg track in winter.



*Admittedly there have been a few close calls.
The problem with the Pyg track is that you are 85% of the way to the top before it gets a little tricky. By this point people are very reluctant to turn back as they can see the top is only a few minutes away. Summit fever on Snowdon hehe

Bill

56,272 posts

273 months

Friday 4th December 2009
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hehe