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Discover the unique scenery of Snowdonia, on this day climb to the summit of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, with MIC mountaineering instructor Richard.
Private
1 Day
All year
Intermediate
Intermediate
I invite you to join me on a wonderful adventure and climb Snowdon peak (1085 m), the highest mountain in Wales. Yr Wyddfa, as it is called in Welsh, is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Located in a unique environment, it was designated as a national nature reserve, for its rare flora and fauna.
And although Snowdon is a small mountain by world standards, its unique landscape and a cafe in the summit make it a very special place to visit. And there’s also a railway terminal on top of the mountain!
Snowdon lies in Snowdonia National Park, in Gwynedd. Thousands of visitors come to Snowdonia each year to enjoy its amazing landscapes and the exciting outdoor activities on offer. With a wide variety of terrain, there’s something for everybody here!
I will guide you on a great climb that will take us about 8 hours. We will enjoy beautiful scenery on our way to the summit. The climb doesn’t offer any particular technical difficulties: you just need to be able to walk over rough ground and deal with the elements while we climb.
There are 6 classic walking routes to the summit, although Miners and Pig Track converge after a couple of hours of walking. Also, we don’t need to go down through the same way we went up! We will choose the best one for you.
The routes to the summit are the following:
So contact me if you want to join me on this climb to Snowdon summit. You can send me a request and we can start planning right away! I would love to guide you up there.
You can also take a look at other scrambling days that I also guide: Snowdon Horseshoe and Crib Goch and North Ridge of Tryfan.
Meeting point
More info
Personal warm and wet weather gear are a must. Bring comfortable mountain boots (approach shoes) which offer good ankle support and a decent grip. Training shoes do not generally offer this. During the winter months it may be necessary to hire extra equipment such as ice axes and crampons, which can be hired locally. There may be a minimal charge for these.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
We will meet up in Llanberis. You can either get a public transportation bus to the start or a taxi.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own?
We will meet up in Llanberis. You can either get a public transportation bus to the start or a taxi.
You can get to Snowdonia by plane most conveniently from Manchester, by train from London, by ferry to Holyhead from Dublin or by car. There are three airports in the region: Anglesey, Caernarfon, and the Royal Aerospace Establishment. Once in Snowdonia, you can also take the local sherpa buses to move around.
I’ve already gone up Snowdon via the Miners and Pyg. Are there different routes?
There are several other routes up, the Watkin path is excellent and a little bit more challenging.
Llanberis Path: This is the most popular route and starts from the village of Llanberis. It is the longest route, taking about 6-7 hours to complete. It has the easiest terrain, with a moderate gradient and a good path.
Ranger Path: This route climbs the west side of the mountain from a start point between the villages of Beddgelert and Waunfawr. It is slightly shorter than the Llanberis Path, although it is slightly more strenuous, with a steep gradient and rocky path. It is one of the least busy.
Climbing Snowdon via the Watkin Path: This is probably the most challenging of the main paths, but it goes through some wonderful waterfalls and ever-changing scenery. There is a short section where the terrain is steep and loose, and the path is not well-defined.
Climbing Snowdon via Crib Goch: Crib Goch (the Red Ridge) is a breathtaking scramble along a knife-edge arete. It's not too technically difficult, but it does involve using your hands to climb and you will need to have a good head for heights as it is very exposed. This is not recommended for inexperienced walkers without a guide.
Are you offering other outdoor/ adventure activities in the area of Snowdonia?
Yes sure! Please have a look at this page - https://www.explore-share.com/mountain-guide/richard-bale/ - which lists the different activities I offer in the area of Snowdonia.
Is this program suitable for children?
Snowdon is achievable by the children, but it is a 12-kilometer round trip. The weather could also be pretty rough but if you are equipped for it then you should be ok. The route I would recommend would be the PyG Track.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment on my own?
You will need your own hiking clothing - including a waterproof jacket with a hood and waterproof trousers, warm layers, a warm hat and thick gloves. You would need your own walking boots. If ice axe and crampons are needed then we will borrow them (included in price).
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration
What are the safety recommendations?
For a safe ascent of Snowdon, it's important to plan and prepare carefully. This includes selecting the right route, checking the weather forecast, and packing essential items such as waterproof layers, warm clothing, and navigation equipment. Being mindful of the fitness levels within your group, taking regular breaks, and being ready to turn back if the weather worsens are also key to a successful and safe climb.
How hard is it to climb Snowdon?
The difficulty of climbing Snowdon depends on the route taken. The Llanberis Path is the easiest, while the Watkin is the most challenging. For experienced walkers with some scrambling experience and a good head for heights, a traverse of Crib Goch is one of the best ridge walks in the UK. It is important to be in good physical condition and have a good level of fitness before attempting to climb the mountain. The average time for a round trip is 6 – 8 hours.
How to get properly prepared to climb Snowdon?
It is important to properly prepare for a climb of Snowdon. This includes getting in good physical shape and practicing on smaller hills or mountains before attempting the climb. A guided climb will help you familiarise yourself with the route and plan your ascent and descent carefully.
Why climb Snowdon with a guide?
Climbing Snowdon with a local mountain guide is the best way to fully enjoy your mountain experience. You’ll feel safe with a guide who knows the terrain like the back of his hand, can prevent dangerous situations, and face any trouble that may come up. They will also advise on which route to take, and where to park and generally make the logistics of getting to the walk easy. A guide is especially recommended if you don’t have any previous mountaineering experience or training.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
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Mountain Guide
I hold a Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MIC). I am fully qualified to guide and instruct all aspects of mountaineering and climbing in the UK throughout the year. Also, I am a full member of the Mountain Training Association (MTA) and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).
I love climbing and this passion has taken me all over the world, even to the summit of Mount Everest. I have also climbed in the Andes, as well as in the Alps, Norway and Canada. I reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 2001, as a member of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service Everest North Ridge expedition.
I first started mountaineering in Scotland with the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, over 20 years ago. Since then, I haven't stopped climbing and exploring new mountains in the UK and abroad. I have been a RAF Mountain Rescue Team Leader and also the Chief Instructor for 5 years. I have also climbed all the Munros, the Scottish peaks above 3000 feet.
I love climbing around North Wales and the rest of the UK. We have so many amazing climbing and scrambling spots to discover in this area! I enjoy taking my clients there for rock climbing, scrambling and mountain skills courses or for a guided day out.
We can set up a program according to your level and wishes. Contact me and we can start planning your next mountain adventure right away!
Languages
English
Certificates
AMI MIC
Carl
Charlotte
Great friendly guides with plenty of knowledge. They offered extra clothing and water, asked and organised several stops, we had several different types of climbers - those who are experiences and those who's this was a first experience, different fitness levels etc so they was able to separate and support the group accordingly. I would highly recommend Derry and Conor to anyone who was asking for a guide.
Eleasha
My partner and I had Gareth as our guide and he was brilliant. His knowledge and history of the mountains made for good conversations and his endurance and patience was greatly appreciated on our climb. We didn't know what to expect but Gareth guided us on the path we were taking going up and the other path we would take descending down. I found it challenging at times but Gareth was always patient and truthfully reassuring on the types of steepness we faced and was able to put time/kilometres on it too, which encouraged me to push myself. He was very welcoming to small breaks and also kindly captured pictures and videos of me and my partner as we climbed, which is nice to look back on. Overall, I highly recommend this service. As first time climbers, the Rhyd Ddu path was challenging but so worth it as it was a beautiful, quieter path to climb. I specifically booked this service as a birthday surprise for my partner and loved the fact we were not part of a group and were able to enjoy the experience together. Keep up the great work and I'll be sure to pass on these details to anyone interested in climbing. Regards, Eleasha.
Lisa
Climbing Snowdon as a single parent with my 16yr old son was never going to end well without a guide. I needed to make sure we got up & down safely without getting lost. Richard provided so much more than that, with interesting facts about the plant & wildlife, not to mention his background climbing Everest and as an RAF Engineer. I felt in very safe hands and our comfort & enjoyment was clearly his top priority. If you're looking for a guide, look no further! Thanks Richard for a great experience.
Denise
We received great information and advice prior to the trip and on the day our guide made it a really enjoyable and valuable experience. He was supportive, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable. Thank you Jamie and dog Gwen.
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