Snowdonia What Again?!

So I was let out of isolation last Thursday so what’s the first thing I wanted to do?!

Well go up Snowdon of course! 😂

Snowdon is the second highest peak in the UK and as some of you may remember his was not my first trip up. My first expedition up Snowdon happened on May 2019 when the weather was very different to this time!

I didn’t go alone this time I had my beautiful girl with me Jenna! This was her very first mountain and bless her she thought it would be easy!! 😂

So Saturday morning off we went on the 1he 30min drive to Snowdonia National park, in my humble opinion one of the most beautiful places to go hiking in the UK.

As we got closer to the start Jenna commented on how many people where around and that she just couldn’t understand why they all had professional gear on! I guess anything outside trainers and a t’shirt seems like pro gear to a new be 😘

I explained that this wasn’t an easy hike and that being unprepared was not a good idea as you just don’t know how the weather will be the higher up you go.

I decided that the Llanberis path would be best although it’s a longer ascent it’s a well hiked path and the views are just incredible!

Parking for this path is easiest by the Snowdon Mountain railway at a cost of £8 for the day, cash or card are fine.

So off we went up the tarmac road which in my opinion is the worst part of the whole walk!! The incline is insane and it goes in forever! Hence why Jenna asked if we where half way up by the time we reached the start!! 😂😂

The walk up is a mixture of rocky steps and loose stone so good boots are a must! So many times I have seen hikers going on these challenging hikes with flimsy trainers and a single bottle of water!! 😳

Not a good idea for a 3199 ft ascent in to the mountains!

Now I’m no fast Walker I have little legs so some parts of the hoke where a little challenging but as long as your not hard on your self and you just keep plodding along you soon eat the Km’s up to make your way to the top.

I have to say I’m so glad I took some warmer clothes in my back pack as the higher we got the colder it became! And the wind just cut straight through you! but still we saw people in shorts and t’shirts putting on a brave face but you could see the chill was hurting!!

After 3hrs we reached the summit only to find a question for the summit stone 🤪 social distancing had gone out the window as people pushed to get to the top! Because it was Jennas first mountain I really wanted her to get to the summit so we queued yes queued to take that all important shot! 45mins later we are on our way back down.

It was in our way back down that Jenna said she finally understood the madness of correct gear and that she couldn’t understand why anyone would attempt this hike without it!

5hrs 25mins later we reached the car soar but feeling amazing at such an accomplishment ☺️

I was so proud of my girl she hikes like a natural and took on that mountain like she was born to do it!!

I loved going up there on a warm day but I have to say the going was easier underfoot when there was all the snow!! As you didn’t feel all the uneven ground.

so what advice can I give you guys wanting to hike up Snowdon for the first time? 🤔

Be prepared!!

take warmer clothes for the higher parts

take plenty of food and water with you because once your energy levels drop that mountain will eat you up!! take little rest breaks little and often it’s not a race! and so what if people overtake you! don’t take long rest breaks this can be a killer as you can stiffen up and it take a lot of energy to get going again

remember to enjoy it!! All to often we are so focused on getting to the top we forget to look at the wonder around us x