Snowdon Walk

[Drift]

Been talking to Kieron my stepson and he wants to walk up Snowdon.

Due to the side affects of some tablets Ive been on that lower my metabolism Ive banged a bit of weight on, now this seems a good opportunity to work towards loosing the weight as Im on a lower dose tablet now.

My plan is to organise a trip for early June, camping at Capel Curig and walking up Snowdon via the Watkin path.
The Watkin path is by no means the easiest path up Snowdon, in fact its the lowest path to sea level at the start,so when you get to the top of Snowdon you have actually climbed most of the mountain as opposed to starting some tracks that start 1000 foot above sea level.

The Watkin path is by far my favourite path as the views and scenery are to me the best you can get and once you crest the saddle of Llewidd it just opens out magnificently, the path also has quite a bit of history surrounding it.

It isnt a path to be taken lightly either as near the top you enter a scree field known as the zigzags and if misty or not thought out correctly it can be dangerous.
This route can be a lung burster, so be warned

I know Dave Weave was asking last year for a walk up Snowdon, is any one else interested ?

I wouldnt advise it for kids under 13 as you have to be pretty motivated, its pretty steep in most parts and can be a long slog, but a good achievement once you have conquered it.

About 15 years ago I had to call the RAF Mountain rescue out on this part of the mountain to assist a crashed paraglider, a story Ill tell on the way up

This is a good link to pictures, I believe the new summit cafe is nearly finished being built now.

http://stigvista.co.uk/pa/walks/wales/watkin/watkin.htm

[weave67]

weave67,top of the list

[Postfinder]

Have done the Watkins before Ste, wasnt it made for some bugger to be pushed up in a wheeelchair or somat like that?
Would put me name down, but these days I could only manage to get up there on the train

[bobbinsjob]

I'm in Ste, I'll see if I can drag Zebadee with me aswell

[Drift]

you wouldnt get a wheelchair up the Watkin path, well not the top anyway

The Llanberis path would be the best bet for that, that path used to have the Victorians going up on horse back before the train line was built near enough parallel, its the easiest path but the longest at 5 miles up due to the low gradient.

The start of the Watinkin path was built by quarry men, the ruins are still there, it also has Gladstone rock, a huge rock that William Gladstone stood upon and gave a speech to 2000 onlookers at the age of 83, incidentaly Gladstone was born in Liverpool and grew up around the corner from where I grew up

[alex]

Is that the one from the south east? comes across the old quarry and up the mountain to the right before crossing the saddle to the summit? If so Ive done it a few times (whilst in my fitter days).

Would certainly bring Spence up and meet at the top to walk down.

Great place, great views. Would be worth doing, but last time I took the wife and faced divorce she no like big hills anymore

[Drift]

Yer thats the one starts at Nant Gwynant

This one

http://www.eryri-npa.co.uk/page/index.p ... 7&lang=eng

Click the link to view walk.

I used to make it a circular and come down the saddle just before Y Aran

[bobbinsjob]

is it tent camping or at the lodge

[Drift]

I could see if the hut is available at my old Mountaineering club

http://gwydyrmc.co.uk/hut/

depends how many go to keep the cost down.

[bobbinsjob]

tenting is fine by me, keep zeb's farts in the outdoors lol

[Trugga]

Subject: WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR TRUCK TODAY!

you know you want to

I was tempted for a moment, but it did pass. I know I am not as fit as I used to be and know I would suffer if I attempted Snowdon. I've walked it 6 times in my younger days plus once on the train (with the Scouts that couldn't make it the day before)

I recall taking 3 hours to make the summit (Pyg or Miners Track, and sometimes via the Crib Goch ridge), getting to the bar (yes there was a pub at the top) and ordering two pints of cider and a mars bar - the first pint did not touch the sides.

Having been up there 7 times though, I've only ever experience a view the once.

For those that go, it will be a cracking day out.

Lawrence

[Drift]

Ive decided on June to for the trip for two reasons, weather ( might get the view ) and time to get fit and shift some weight.

Make it a life style challenge, maybe s Dave has mentioned to me, raise a bit for charity ? give the effort some purpose ?

Its not going to be a race, just a slow plod and the usual laughs, and just imagine the stories and banter afterwards ( thats my incentive )

[andysd1]

good god, im out of breath just reading this

[Drift]

Ive got so good ole pics of this track, Ill scan them when Ive got so time

[Road Hog]

Slow plod would be my upper limit,if it is good weather will do up & down,if bad down only.

My left ankle which I broke a couple of years ago gets all achy in the cold & damp

[bobbinsjob]

dusting off the bobble hat as we speak

[Drift]

Ive gotta get my knee up to speed but slow is the new fast

[Road Hog]

So the compromise speed will be a moderate hobble then

[Drift]

In one, a nice early start, take our time, then a few lubricating medicinal tonics in the pub afterwards

[Road Hog]

Sounds good to me bud