Sar Lou Adventures

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) 1085m/3559ft

UK Iconic Walks – Welsh Marilyns – County Tops

At 1,085m/3,559ft, the ‘big one’ Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) had been on my list for a long time. Ever since getting to the top of Pen y Fan in zero visibility but feeling strong, I’d got my eyes on finally tackling the big daddy of Eryri. After weeks of planning and despite the damp April forecast, I found myself heading to Nant Peris and hopping on board the Sherpa bus heading towards Pen y Pass. In Wales, good weather is never guaranteed, and had I decided to wait around for perfect conditions I’d have never gone. If anything, the moody weather gave the whole mountain a better atmosphere.

I decided to avoid the notorious ‘tourist route’ of Llanberis, instead heading up via the Pyg Track, which once I got past the junction for Crib Goch started to feel like a moving conveyor belt of hikers as those setting off later than me caught up and overtook me. I’m not the fastest hiker, and I later discovered that I was abysmally low B12 in my system, so the fact I had any energy at all was honestly a minor miracle. I’d heard that Yr Wyddfa was a BUSY mountain, but I was genuinely shocked by the sheer number of people out on such a chilly, grey and damp April day. Waterproof jackets stretched endlessly up the trail, and the higher I climbed, the more people appeared out of the mist. I honestly dread to think what this place looks like in the middle of peak season. Queueing to cross bottle necks or scrambley sections became the norm very quickly and I took the opportunity to stop and catch a breather whenever the chance arose!

The cloud thickened steadily as I gained height, occasionally parting just enough to reveal stunning views through the clag giving glimpses of the lakes below before swallowing everything again. Despite being passed by what felt like about 500 people moving far faster than me, I was more than happy taking my time, taking countless photos and grabbing the short breaks in the weather to send my DJI Air 3S drone up to full capture the gorgeous views.

Once I got to the ridge, the full force of the weather hit. With icy wind, biting rain that quickly sapped any remaining energy on the slow plod through the crowd to the summit. Hundreds of people of all ages lined the ridge and it honestly took me by surprise given the weather and the height. After about 15-20 minutes of fighting the wind and sideways icy rain, the full chaos of the summit came into view. I’d heard stories of the queues for the summit, but given the weather I was not expecting to see such a massive queue of tired hikers standing in freezing cold, wet weather for a summit photo.

I had no intention of returning in peak season if it was that crazy at the summit, and so I joined the queue of people huddled together in the mist waiting for their turn. 20 or so minutes later I finally got to the top, got some quick video and photos before quickly retreating back down the path. Adding to everyone’s frustration with the numerous hikers who decided to entirely ignore the queue and just cut straight up to the top in front of everyone else waiting patiently.

At the time, I was annoyed by the queue jumpers. Us British LOVE a queue, it’s one of the things we do well. But honestly, I can also understand the queue jumpers. You’re 1,085m above sea level, having hiked for HOURS in crap weather conditions and the summit temperature is single digits with a significant wind chill. You’re cold, you’re wet, you’re tired. You’ve come all this way and now you face standing on top of a mountain for an uncertain amount of time, losing body heat, just to get a photo.

Is it rude to queue jump? Yes.

Is it actually sensible and safer to conserve your body heat and energy in a mountain environment in poor weather? Also yes!

I queued because at that time I was chilly but well layered and felt happy to wait. I got my photo and made a swift exit.

One thing that really stood out during the day was seeing the volunteers from Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team constantly on the move dealing with incident. They looked like they seriously had their hands full with multiple call outs including a large group party, which wasn’t surprising given how busy the mountain was. Massive respect to those volunteers for what they do up there in all conditions!

Descending via the Miners’ Track was definitely the right choice and was a beautiful way to end a tough hike. I’m really glad I went Pyg up and Miners down because it genuinely felt like getting the best of both worlds and seeing the best side of the massif. The lower section beside Llyn Padarn finally gave a bit of breathing room away from the crowds, and I took the chance to send the DJI Air 3S up over the water. Being able to get the drone up and walk alongside the lakes with the outline of Yr Wyddfa fading into the cloud behind it felt like the perfect end to the day. Moody, cold, overcrowded but honestly brilliant. I would loved to have seen the view from the summit, but the weather didn’t want to play ball that day.

Making the choice to avoid Llanberis was definitely the right choice for me. I hate crowds and like to take my time, and while Pyg/Miner’s tracks were busy, there was still enough space for everyone until reaching the ridge line. I absolutely intend to return, potentially doing the Rhyd Ddu Path which is apparently hugely rewarding, picturesque but also much quieter.