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Thread: Snowdon in March

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  1. #1
    Craftsman Oysterman's Avatar
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    Snowdon in March

    So, the guys at work have come to the conclusion I should go with them to walk Snowdon in Late March, is this wise? Am i going to be on the news as " Mountain rescue for idiot walkers from Norfolk"

  2. #2
    Master thegoat's Avatar
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    Snowdon officially gets one good day per year for walking to the summit. The problem being the day shifts each year so yes, you are certifiable.
    Just check a week before and you'll get a good idea.

  3. #3
    Me and a couple of mates walked the ranger path to the top in March a few years back. Bit chilly at the top but other than that it was a lovely days walking.

    Just make sure you check the weather before you go and have the right gear to be able to cope with whatever's expected and of course don't underestimate the conditions / overestimate your abilities.

  4. #4
    Craftsman Oysterman's Avatar
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    Two very contrasting views! we are all physically fit guys ,ex paras marathon runners etc , just curious about the weather and what to expect . Four seasons in a day!

  5. #5
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oysterman View Post
    Two very contrasting views! we are all physically fit guys ,ex paras marathon runners etc , just curious about the weather and what to expect . Four seasons in a day!
    Ex paras? I don't think you chaps will have a problem. Unless you were in the regiment 50 years ago! (Even then I suspect you'd cope).

    Take some photos for the rest of the forum!

  6. #6
    Master
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    I walked up it in March about 10 years ago. Weather was horrible near the top, very foggy and windy and cold, but lower down it was lovely with good views.

    As said above, check the forecast and make sure you have the right kit. It was so windy at the top that I lost a glove and had to put into a woolly hat to keep it from freezing.

    Great day though and you feel as if you really have earned the pints in the evening.

  7. #7
    Craftsman cinnabull's Avatar
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    I have a mate, also unbelievably fit as he's in the military, and he went up with a morph suit on and a load of weight in a backpack, and he effin jogged most of the way!!. He's generally accepted as being one helluva nutter amongst those who know him. He says the worst bit about is was the loose rocks and shingle underfoot. I'm not sure what time of year he did it though. There is a train I believe for those that want an easier route, or perhaps fail in their attempts, worth knowing and looking into just incase like....


    Stuart

  8. #8
    Master
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    Four seasons in a day would cover it.

    It might be glorious, there might be a blizzard.

    You need to take clothing for each extreme really!

  9. #9
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    A watch for those with impaired vision!

    It's called a Eone Bradley.

    M.

  10. #10
    Master
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    It'll probably be fine, just check the weather in advance. I'm a climber and have probably been up Snowdon in every month of the year. The worst I've seen was 3 or 4 winters ago when I did a grade II route on Clogwyn y Ddysgl (Parsley Fern left Hand for the climbers) in January. It's a fairly easy route that doesn't quite top out at the summit of Snowdon but not far from the top. On our descent via the tourist path (aka Llanberis path), in a complete white out, ground covered in rime ice, wearing full B3 winter boots, harnesses, crampons and carrying a pair of ice axes and ropes, we (almost literally) bumped in to a couple wearing trainers, jeans and jackets straight out of Uniqlo. She kept falling over but he was blindly dragging them to the summit. It took us several minutes to persuade them it was a bad idea and that they should follow us down.

    You're already questioning whether it's safe to do it so you're a thousand times better prepared than they were. Whilst Snowdon is a mountain and should be respected as such, most of the established paths are very accessible so if you're healthy, have good visibility on the day, and the appropriate equipment, it's quite safe.

    Edit: my favourite loop that doesn't involve climbing is probably the Rhyd Ddu path up and the Ranger path down. Rhyd Ddu maintains a bit more interest at the top as it has a ridge section.
    Last edited by Hammond; 20th January 2017 at 15:47.

  11. #11
    Journeyman
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    I rode up the LLanberis path route a few years ago on my mountain bike, having never rode up a mountain in my life. You might find there's snow up there in March but if you've got a waterproof jacket with a few good layers underneath and decent boots you should be ok in a group. I can't comment on other routes up the summit though, the Llanberis path is the easiest and most gradual route up.

  12. #12
    Craftsman Oysterman's Avatar
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    This is all great info for me , any other advice on which route?

  13. #13
    Master
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    Check here before venturing out: http://www.mwis.org.uk/english-welsh-forecast/SD/

    Took my daughter again last year and this time we took the Rhyd Ddu path up (parking at the Snowdonia National Park Authority car park by Rhyd Ddu railway station) then the South Ridge back down. A little exposure on the ridges, but nothing serious. We didn't see a single soul all the way down the South Ridge despite the cafe at the summit overflowing with people, and the views back over Crib Goch are fab.
    Last edited by gcleminson; 20th January 2017 at 20:21.

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