We are going to Snowdonia next February and wish to walk up Mount Snowdon. We are planning to walk up via a gentle route, eg no scrambling if we can avoid it! We are in our mid 20's and are fit and walk locally (northants & Oxon) almost weekly for about 12 miles each walk.
Are we advancing to the next stage too soon too quick!? My main concern is will be too snowed over and icy. So will we really need crampons and ice picks etc? If anyone would like to share their experiences of their first winter climb of snowdon or any mountain I would love to hear them.Thanks, Kevin
The easiest route up Snowdon is the Llanberis Path, and also the most boring! The Miner's Track and Pyg Track are more interesting and pretty straightforward. There are a couple of short sections where you have to look ahead over gentle rocky bits to see where the path goes, but if you pay attention you'll have no problems. The Pyg Track in particular should be fine for you if you're regular walkers.
However.... if there is snow and ice up there, you will need axe and crampons, and if you don't know how to use them, and are not comfortable using them, then find something else to walk up, preferably snowless. People die most winters on Snowdon, even if they've got the right equipment and the knowledge how to use it.
Sorry if this is teaching you to suck eggs... it may be clear of snow and ice much of the route, but you may then encounter the stuff high up, esp. on the zig-zags on the Pyg and Miner's routes, so check before you head out.
If you learn how to use axe and crampons, it opens up an extraordinary whole new world of walking. I was in your position 4 years ago, did the course, and now love winter walking
btw - if we don't have snow here, don't worry, just do the mountain!
If planning to walk on big hills when they're covered in snow/ice then yes. The thing is that the snow gets compacted down to a very hard, frictionless surface by free/thaw cycles and once you start slipping on a slope like that you just won't stop absent suitable intervention from an ice axe etc. (well or rocks!).
I've not actually bothered myself as not that common we get really good winters. Although Kates course was certainly very well timed (if every winter was like the last few have been then I would certainly have done!)
