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Authority

Park

Information

National

Warden

1 Voluntary Snowdonia Content

Important Contacts ...... 3 DEALING WITH A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ON THE MOUNTAIN ...... 3 Dealing with Difficult Behaviour ...... 5 Kit List ...... 5 Daily Schedule ...... 7 Routes up Snowdon ...... 8 Llanberis Path...... 8 PyG Track ...... 11 Miners Track ...... 14 Visitor FAQ’s ...... 17 Appendix 1 – Risk Assessments ...... 18 Risk Assessment for Footpath Patrol ...... 18 Risk Assessment for Litter Picking ...... 20 Risk Assessment for Blood Bourne Diseases ...... 22 Appendix 2 - Patrol Routes ...... 23 Llanberis Path...... 23 PyG & Miners ...... 24

2 Welcome to the Snowdon Voluntary Warden Team!

Thank you for taking part in the Snowdon Voluntary Wareden Scheme! The work you carry out on the mountain is immensely valuable and you play a key part in protecting the landscape and helping others enjoy the countryside in a safe and respectable way. Before heading out on the mountain, please have a read through of the following information, and remember to get in touch if you have any questions!

Important Contacts

Name Job Title Contact

Bryn Rees Hughes Area Warden (Snowdon) Mobile: 07900 267 517 (Main Contact) Office: 01286 872 555 Email: [email protected]

Alun Gethin Jones Warden (Snowdon) Mobile: 07900 267 505 (Main Contact) Office: 01286 827 555 Email: [email protected]

Dilwyn Williams Pen y Pass Site Manager Phone: 01286 872 555 Email: [email protected]

Adam Daniel Head of Warden Service Phone: 01766 772 232 Email: [email protected]

Important note: The wardens listed below can often be out of phone signal – if you can’t get hold of them always leave a message so that they can get back to you

3 Dealing with a Medical Emergency on the Mountain

1. Make sure that you are not putting yourself in danger by dealing with the incident

2. Gather as much information as you can about the injuries and cause of the incident

3. If the casualty has fallen from any significant height or is complaining of back/neck pain or tingling/numbness in the limbs, immobilize their head by placing one hand on each side of their head (over their ears) and keep their head as still as possible. If a back injury is suspected do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate danger.

4. Make the casualty as comfortable as possible and make sure they are kept warm and dry

5. Administer first aid only if you feel comfortable doing so.

6. Decide whether to call out mountain rescue

7. Gather the following information before dialing 999:

i. Details of the incident

ii. Name, sex and age of casualty

iii. Nature of injuries and any medical conditions/medication

iv. Number of people in the group

v. Grid reference and location description

8. If you are out of signal one volunteer will need to take the above information and find a good signal spot using the phone/radio signal map

9. Dial 999, request the police and then ask for mountain rescue. Stay in signal until all the necessary arrangements have been made.

10.Return to the casualty group and relay the information.

11.Wait for rescue; put on high-vis vests; make sure that all loose items are secured if a helicopter rescue is likely.

12.You may then want to accompany the rest of the group back down to the car park

For all other incidents use the contact details supplied in the ‘Important Contacts’ section above

ALL EMERGENCY INCIDENTS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO Bethan Wynne Jones BY E-MAIL OR PHONE AS SOON AS IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE.

4 Dealing with Difficult Behavior

Occasionally you will come across visitors behaving in an antisocial way – dropping/leaving litter, camping etc. You are not expected to deal with these incidents and often just your presence and a stern look will deter antisocial behavior. However please report any such incidents to the Snowdon Warden on duty via e-mail or phone.

Kit List

The following is a recommended kit list, but you can tweak it to your own requirements:

Comfortable and Sturdy Waterproof Trousers Waterproof Coat Walking Boots

Hat and Gloves Spare Layers Warn Layers

Lunch Plenty of Water Fully Charged Mobile Phone

Sunglasses and Sun cream

The following equipment will be provided by the National Park and will need to be picked-up at Pen y Pass in the morning. If you are running low on supplies or if there are any of the following items are missing please let Bethan know:

Foil blanket 1:25000 OS (OL17) Map of Compass, whistle and torch Snowdon

High vis vest Bottles of spare water First Aid Kit

Phone/radio signal map Disposable gloves Bin bags

You will also need to pick up the following from Pen y Pass each day:

Weather Report Train Times Info Fully Charged Radio

5 Daily Schedule

Footpath Patrol

8:30 am Meet at Pen y Pass – briefing and pick up kit; agree on return time; update duty warden with medical info/next of kin details

9:00 am Team A: Drive down to Llanberis and park at Snowdon Mountain Railway. Call in at railway office to provide with car reg. Patrol of Llanberis path inc. litter pick and clearing of any drains as necessary. Return to Llanberis then Pen y Pass.

Team B: PyG track to summit inc. litter pick. One hour in summit cafe. Return to Pen y Pass via Miners track.

3:00 pm De-brief at Pen y Pass with duty Warden.

3:30 pm Finish.

• For details of the routes to be followed see Appendix.

• Assigned routes should be stuck to, and if deviation/change to route is required for whatever reason then the duty Warden for that day should be informed at the earliest possible opportunity.

• Prior to leaving Pen y Pass, ensure that the details of the route you will be taking and the time you expect to return are recorded.

• Ensure that you have with you all of the items on the kit list.

• If you have not returned 1 hour after your agreed return time and no call has been received to inform the duty warden of a delay, Mountain Rescue will be called out, so make sure you are back on time or let the duty Warden know if you’re delayed.

Buddy system for Footpath Patrol Procedure

1. At the start of the day check in at Pen y Pass. Here you will be briefed on your duties for the day by the duty Warden. Carry out a radio check before departure and again whilst on the route. Ensure that your mobile is fully charged. Make sure that if any changes are made to your plan during the day that you let the duty Warden know at the earliest possible opportunity. A finish time will be agreed for you to check back in at Pen y Pass, again make sure that you adhere to the

6 time agreed and let the duty Warden/Pen y Pass Manager know asap if you are likely to be back later than planned.

2. At the end of the day check back in at Pen y Pass to let them know that you are finishing.

3. If volunteer is overdue by one hour after the agreed return time, and no radio/mobile contact can be made then duty Warden to notify Mountain Rescue.

Procedure for duty Warden

1. In the morning run through a plan with the Volunteer Wardens to ensure you know where they are going and what time they are returning. Also take note of their names, mobile numbers, next of kin any relevant medical info.

2. At the end of the day the Volunteer Wardens will check back in with you.

3. If a team does not return within the agreed time, first ring their mobiles, if no answer, telephone the summit building (if relevant) to see when they were last there. Check your answer-phone.

4. If the Volunteer Warden(s) have not returned safely, or you have no message one hour after the arranged return time then Mountain Rescue should be notified.

7 Routes up Snowdon

Llanberis Path

Distance: 9 miles (14½Km) (there & back). Ascent: 3,199ft (975 metres). Time: About 6 hours (there & back). Start/Finish: Far end of Victoria Terrace, Llanberis, off the A4086. Grid Reference: SH 581 594 Parking: Car parks in Llanberis itself.

Facilities: Toilets & Cafe's in Llanberis itself. Note: In summer you may descend via other route & use Sherpa Bus.

A little about the path…

Llanberis Path is the longest and most gradual of the six main paths to the summit of Snowdon, and offers fantastic views of Cwm Brwynog, Llanberis and over the Menai straights towards Anglesey. This is the most popular path amongst leisurely walkers as it is thought to be the easiest to walk in mild weather, but in winter, the highest slopes of the path can become very dangerous. The path mainly follows the Snowdon Mountain Railway track, and goes by Hebron, Halfway and Clogwyn stations. Before the railway was opened in 1896, visitors employed guides to lead them to the summit along this path on mule-back. A remarkable geological feature can be seen from the Llanberis path, the Clogwyn Du’r Arddu syncline. The syncline was formed over thousands of years, as the earth moved and transformed horizontal deposits into vertical layers of rock.

Safety Note

The Llanberis Path and Snowdon Mountain Railway cross above Clogwyn Coch. Walkers who are not wearing, or carrying the appropriate equipment are advised not to walk this path in winter, when ground conditions can lead to serious falls. Don’t be tempted to walk along the railway! It leads along high, narrow ledges on steep slopes that can be very dangerous on foot.

The Route

1. The Llanberis path starts at far end of Victoria Terrace, which leads down from the mini roundabout opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel at the southern end of the village. 2. Go through the gate next to the cattle grid and follow the steep road. The road will pass Pen y Ceunant Isaf, and then through a farmyard. Shortly after going through the farmyard, follow the prominent path on the left signposted ‘Snowdon’. During the first part of the journey, you will see fantastic views back towards Dinorwig Slate Quarry on the slopes of Elidir Fawr. It is now the enormous site of the Dinorwig Hydro-Electric Power Station – the largest of its kind in Europe. Electricity is generated through releasing water from Marchlyn Mawr reservoir on Elidir Fawr, through underground tunnels to turn six turbines in a massive cavern deep inside

8 the mountain. After passing through the turbine the water is stored in Llyn Peris before being pumped back up to Marchlyn Mawr reservoir to be used again. If you walk this path during the summer months, you are sure to see one of the Snowdon trains on its way up or down the mountain. A rack and pinion system enables the engines to climb up the mountain, pushing the carriage in front of it. Some of the steam engines are over a hundred years old and have been climbing the mountain since the railway first opened in 1896! 3. The path climbs gradually, and in a while you will pass the ruins of an old cottage on your left, and Hebron station below on the right. You will shortly reach a mountain gate and a stile. 4. From the mountain gate the path will continue to climb gradually and parallel with the railway. On your right, from left to right, are the hills and ridges of Moel Cynghorion, Foel Goch, Foel Gron and Moel Eilio. Below is Cwm Brwynog valley, where you can see the ruins of farmsteads and crofts of once an old close nit community who used to live here. The families of Gwaun Cwm Brwynog were tenants to the Faenol Estate, Y Felinheli, who also owned the Dinorwig slate quarry. Many of the men worked at the quarry during the week, as well as keeping animals on the smallholding. There were twenty five dwellings in Gwaun Cwm Brwynog, but no school, or shop, or pub, and no electricity or telephone – but there was a chapel! The remains of the chapel, called Capel Hebron, can be seen over your right shoulder, on the far side of the railway and Hebron Station hut. Before the chapel was built, religious services and Sunday Schools were held on local farms, but as the Sunday School membership increased, the farms became too small. The chapel was built in 1835 and at its peak there were 78 members. The chapel was the heart and soul of this unique community and all kind of social events were held there. Early in the twentieth century, families began to emigrate from the valley, and one by one the crofts were left empty. By the mid twentieth century the community of Gwaun Cwm Brwynog had scattered, and the buildings left for the elements to decide on their fate. 5. Shortly, you will walk under the railway bridge. 6. After going under the bridge the path will continue to climb gradually with the railway on your left. You will shortly pass the Halfway House, where refreshments are sold in the summer months. From here on the path will begin to climb more steeply. After passing the Halfway House, you can see the summits of Mynydd Drws y Coed and Garn beyond the Cwm Brwynog pass on your right. 7. In a while you will reach the bottom of Allt Moses, where the path forks. Keep to the left and follow the path that climbs up the slopes of Llechog. The path to the right was originally used to reach the copper mines on the slopes of Clogwyn Coch, but today it is used to reach Clogwyn Du’r Arddu. This is, apparently, the most difficult rock climbing face in Wales! As you climb Allt Moses you will see Llyn Du’r Arddu lake, and a large boulder known as Maen Du’r Arddu on its shore. Legend has it that anybody who spends a night under the rock, will be either a poet or insane by the morning! 8. At the top of Allt Moses you will walk under the railway bridge. Once you have walked under the bridge, Cwm Glas Bach will come into sight on your left. Be careful on this section. The local name for this spot is Cwm Hetiau (translated ‘Valley of the Hats’). When Victorian visitors travelled in the train’s open top carriages, the wind would take hold of their hats and down they went to the bottom of the Llanberis Pass. Local children would collect the hats at the bottom and sell them to visitors in Llanberis! 9. After Cwm Glas Bach the path climbs steeply up the slopes of Carnedd Ugain with Clogwyn Coch on your right. Take care on this part of the path. You will shortly reach Bwlch Glas.

9 10. At Bwlch Glas a standing stone marks the spot where the Pyg Track and Miners’ Track join the Llanberis Path. Over your right shoulder, on the other side of the railway, you will see the Snowdon Ranger path rising up from Bwlch Cwm Brwynog and crossing the railway to join the Llanberis Path. You are now on the final leg of your walk up Snowdon. Walking at a leisurely pace, you can expect to be on the summit in around a quarter of an hour. From here there are fantastic views down to your left of Cwm Dyli and its lakes, Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Lydaw. On the left hand side of the valley you can see the knife edge ridge of Crib Goch, which forms part of the famous Snowdon horseshoe. From the summit on a clear day you will be rewarded with fantastic views - 18 lakes and 14 peaks over 914 metres (3000ft) can be seen. Sometimes, you can even see as far as Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Lake District. 11. On your way down from the summit, a little further down from the Bwlch Glas standing stone, keep left - the path to the right follows the Snowdon horseshoe which leads over Carnedd Ugain and Crib Goch.

Figure 1Snowdon Mountain Railway

10 PyG Track

Distance: 7 miles (11Km) (there & back). Ascent: 2,372ft (723 metres). Time: About 6 hours (there & back). Start/Finish: Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086. Grid Reference: SH 647 557.

Facilities: Toilets & Cafe open daily. SNPA Warden Base. Parking: There are Pay & Display car parks at Pen-y-Pass, Pen y Gwryd and Nant Peris (loose change required). For parking at Pen y Gwryd, use the new off-road permissive route from Pen y Gwryd to Pen-y-Pass. Note: Extra parking at Nant Peris - 3 miles down pass.

A little about the path…

Nobody knows for sure why this path is called the Pyg Track. It’s possible that it was named after the pass it leads through, Bwlch y Moch (translated Pigs’ Pass) as the path is sometimes spelled ‘Pig Track’. Or, maybe because it was used to carry ‘pyg’ (black tar) to the copper mines on Snowdon. Another possible explanation is that the path was named after the nearby Pen y Gwryd Hotel, popular amongst the early mountain walkers. The team who conquered Everest in 1953 stayed at this hotel while training on Snowdon. When the team returned from the Himalaya a reunion was held at the hotel, accompanied by Edmund Hillary himself. This is the most rugged and challenging of the six paths up Snowdon, which leads along the foothills of Crib Goch. The route up Crib Goch and along the ridge is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by novice walkers.

Safety Note

Crib Goch & Crib y Ddysgl

Crib Goch is a 500 metre knife edge ridge, with no escape route. Even in ideal weather conditions, Crib Goch is a difficult undertaking. In wet weather, wind, snow, mist or ice, Crib Goch is a serious mountaineering route.

The Route 1. The path starts in the far end corner of Pen y Pass car park, to the right of the car park entrance. Pass the helicopter landing site on your right, and go through a narrow gap in a stone wall. (The prominent path that starts opposite the car park entrance is the Miners’ Track).

11 The summit you can see from Pen y Pass car park is Crib Goch, not Snowdon as it is often mistaken. Crib Goch is a knife edge ridge with a steep drop on either side. It is very open to the weather and many walkers have got into difficulties on it, and sadly, many have lost their lives. By all means, this route should be left to experienced mountaineers. 2. The first section of the Pyg Track climbs quite steeply over rough and rocky terrain. Tread carefully to avoid an ankle injury, especially on your way down. As you climb the first section of the path, there are fantastic views down to the right of the Glyderau mountain range and of the Llanberis Pass. In a while, Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes will come into sight in the far end of this ‘u’ shaped valley, which was carved out by ice at the end of the last Ice Age. 3. After about an hour’s walking you will reach Bwlch y Moch. 4. As you reach Bwlch y Moch, Llyn Llydaw will come into sight below, and the slopes of Lliwedd rising above the far side of the lake. The path forks here, with the path on the right leading up Crib Goch. For Snowdon, bear left and over the two adjacent stiles. The causeway across Llyn Llydaw was built in 1853 to serve the Brittannia Copper Mine. Before this, a raft was used to carry horses and wagons full of copper across the lake. So that the causeway could be built, the water level had to be lowered by 12ft, and during that process a prehistoric oak dug-out canoe, measuring 10ft by 2ft, was discovered – proof that man has roamed this mountain for thousands of years. 5. From Bwlch y Moch the path climbs gradually to the intersection of the Pyg Track and the Miners’ Track above Llyn Glaslyn, which is marked by a standing stone. When you have reached just above Llyn Glaslyn, look at the fantastic view of Snowdon in front of you, towering almost 500m above the glacial lake. As you walk around the cwm along the slopes of Carnedd Ugain, notice the ruins of the Britannia Copper Mine’s barracks on the shore of Llyn Glaslyn. This is where the miners used to stay during the week. 6. There is a standing stone to mark the spot where the Pyg Track and the Miners’ Track meet – remember about it on your way down. From this point the path climbs steeply until you reach Bwlch Glas. Looking across Llyn Glaslyn, to the left of the summit of Snowdon you will see Bwlch y Saethau (translated Pass of the Arrows). Miners from Beddgelert used to climb over this pass to work, with the help of iron chains fixed to the rock. Legend has it that this is the place where King Arthur was struck by an arrow in battle. He was then carried to the shore of Llyn Llydaw, where a boat with three maidens came to take him away through the mist to Afallon (Avalon). 7. In a little while, the path will zigzag up to Bwlch Glas. This part of the path is known as Llwybr y Mul (mule’s path). Before the main road through Llanberis Pass was built, this path was used to carry copper up to Bwlch Glas and then down the other side of the mountain to Llyn Cwellyn. As you approach the Zig-Zags, keep well away from the open mine shafts on your left. 8. At Bwlch Glas, you will be joining the Llanberis Path and the Snowdon Ranger Path. This junction is marked with a standing stone (remember about it on your way down).

12 When you join the paths you will see railway tracks running up the mountain along the right hand side of the path. This is the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been carrying visitors to the summit since 1896 on the only public rack and pinion railway in the UK. 9. Follow the path to the left from the standing stone. You are now on the final leg of your walk up Snowdon. Walking at a leisurely pace, you can expect to be on the summit in around a quarter of an hour. From the summit on a clear day you will be rewarded with fantastic views - 18 lakes and 14 peaks over 914 metres (3000ft) can be seen. Sometimes, you can even see as far as Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Lake District.

Figure 2 Bwlch y Moch

13 Miners Track

Distance: 8 miles (13Km) (there & back). Ascent: 2,372ft (723 metre). Time: About 6 hours (there & back). Start/Finish: Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086. Grid Reference: SH 647 557.

Facilities: Toilets & car park open daily. SNPA Warden Base. Parking: There are Pay & Display car parks at Pen-y-Pass, Pen y Gwryd and Nant Peris (loose change required). If parking at Pen y Gwryd, please use the new off-road permissive route from Pen y Gwryd to Pen-y-Pass Note: Extra parking at Nant Peris - 3 miles down pass.

A little about the path…

The Miners’ Track was built to serve the Britannia Copper Mine on Snowdon but it is not the route originally used to serve the mine. In the beginning, miners lugged the copper up the eastern side of the mountain, to be drawn down the other side to Llyn Cwellyn by a sledge drawn by two horses. From Llyn Cwellyn, the copper was taken by horse and cart to Caernarfon. The road from Llanberis to Pen y Gwryd (the A4086 today) was opened around ten years later, and so this more practical route was used. This path is ideal if you wish to take a walk on Snowdon without going all the way to the summit. The path starts off wide and even, climbing gradually passed Llyn Teyrn to Llyn Llydaw, where the ruins of the old copper mine can be seen. From here, the path climbs steeply to Llyn Glaslyn, where it becomes a hard climb over scree towards the intersection of the Miners’ and the Pyg Tracks. The path then zigzags up to Bwlch Glas, and then on to the summit.

The Route 1. The path starts at the far left hand corner of the Pen y Pass car park, opposite the entrance. As you walk, enjoy the fantastic views of the Gwynant valley down to the left from the path. Shortly, you will see the famous Snowdon Horseshoe which is made up of Lliwedd (898m/2946ft), Snowdon (1,085m/3560ft), Garnedd Ugain (1,065m/3494ft), and Crib Goch (921m/3022ft). In a while you will pass a small lake on your left, Llyn Teyrn. Look out for the ruins of the old miners’ barracks near the shore. The pipeline you can see leading down the valley on the left supplies water from Llyn Llydaw to Cwm Dyli hydro-electric power station in the Gwynant valley. The power station, which is the oldest power station in Britain, was originally built to supply electricity for an electric railway through the Gwynant Valley. The railway would connect slate quarries and mines, but scheme was abandoned when it ran out of funds. The power station was commissioned a year later in 1906, and has been supplying electricity to the National Grid ever since.

14 2. The path forks near Llyn Llydaw. Bear right and you will reach a causeway across the lake. Before the causeway was built, horses and wagons full of copper from the mine were carried across Llyn Llydaw on rafts, to shorten their journey down to Pen y Pass. But following an accident in which a horse drowned, in 1853 it was decided that a causeway was to be built. In order to build the causeway, the water level had to be lowered by 12ft, and during that process a prehistoric oak dug-out canoe, measuring 10ft by 2ft, was discovered – proof that man has roamed this mountain for thousands of years. 3. Cross the causeway and follow the path passed the ruins of the Britannia Copper Mine crushing mill on your right, before a steep climb to Llyn Glaslyn lake. The ruins of the old crushing mill are near Llyn Llydaw, and amongst the remains are the large crushing hammers that were used to extract the valuable ores. Copper ore was taken down to the crushing mill by an aerial ropeway over Llyn Glaslyn; this reduced the distance the copper had to be transported, and avoided the steep climb between the two lakes. From Llyn Glaslyn, look at the dramatic view of Snowdon rising almost 500m above the glacial lake. As you walk around the lake, you will pass the ruins of another row of barracks on your right, where the miners used to stay during the week. From Llyn Glaslyn, although you have walked almost three quarters of the route in terms of distance, you are only half way up the mountain, time wise. 4. From Llyn Glaslyn, go to the right just after the barracks, and follow the path that climbs steeply over scree. This part of the route is a hard climb and can be very slippery. When the path is covered with ice and snow, the rest of the route is best left to experienced walkers with the proper equipment. Looking across Llyn Glaslyn, to the left of the summit of Snowdon you will see Bwlch y Saethau (meaning ‘pass of the arrows’). Miners from Beddgelert used to climb to work over this pass with the help of iron chains fixed to the rock. Legend has it that this is the place where King Arthur was struck by an arrow in battle. He was then carried to the shore of Llyn Llydaw, where a boat with three maidens came to take him away through the mist to Afallon (Avalon). 5. Shortly, you will reach a standing stone that marks the junction with the Pyg Track (remember about it on your way down). From this point the path continues to climb steeply and loose underfoot until you reach Bwlch Glas. In a little while, the path will zigzag up to Bwlch Glas. This part of the path is known as Llwybr y Mul (mule’s path). Before the main road through Llanberis Pass was built, this path was used to carry copper up to Bwlch Glas and then down the other side of the mountain to Llyn Cwellyn. As you approach the Zig-Zags, keep well away from the open mine shafts on your left. 6. At Bwlch Glas, you will be joining the Llanberis Path and the Snowdon Ranger Path. This junction is marked with a standing stone (remember about it on your way down). When you join the paths you will see railway tracks running up the mountain along the right hand side of the path. This is the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been carrying visitors to the summit since 1896 on the only public rack and pinion railway in the UK. 7. Follow the path to the left from the standing stone. You are now on the final leg of your walk up Snowdon. Walking at a leisurely pace, you can expect to be on the summit in around a quarter of an hour.

15 From the summit on a clear day you will be rewarded with fantastic views - 18 lakes and 14 peaks over 914 metres (3000ft) can be seen. Sometimes, you can even see as far as Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Lake District.

Figure 3Llyn Llydaw

For information on the Watkin Path, Rhyd Ddu Path and Snowdon Ranger Path see the national Park website: http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/hafod- eryri/snowdon/recreation

16 Visitor FAQ’s

Q: Where are the toilets?

A: There are toilets at Pen y Pass car park, in Hafod Eryri (summit building) and in the Halfway Café on the Llanberis Path.

Q: Where can I get change for parking (Pen y Pass)?

A: The car park attendants in the wooden shed at Pen y Pass can provide change.

Q: PyG or Miners?

A: The PyG has a steeper ascent initially and is rougher terrain but then levels off after Bwlch y Moch. The Miners is level initially but climbs steeply after Llyn Llydaw. We generally recommend PyG up and Miners down.

Q: Can I get the train down?

A: Tickets should be booked in advance as particularly at busy times there os no guarantee of a place.

Q: Will the café be open?

A: Hafod Eryri closes when the train isn’t running (i.e. over 45mph winds) so it should not be relied on.

Q: Why is the parking so expensive?

A: All profits from Pen y Pass car park go towards funding footpath work on Snowdon. The profits still do not cover the total cost of annual footpath maintenance.

Q: Why are there no bins?

A: Bins can be found at the Pen y Pass Carpark and at the summit café. We do not have the staff or resources to put out or empty litter bins every day anywhere else. Wask that visitors take their litter home with them.

17 Appendix 1 – Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment for Footpath Patrol

Department: Countryside Section: Wardens/Volunteers Location: Snowdon

Work activity assessed: Patrols, providing advice and information to the public, litter collection/picking

Persons identified ‘at risk’: Volunteers, members of the public. Young persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to undertake this activity.

Main hazards associated with this work activity: • Extreme weather conditions • Hill-walking – general • Slips and trips • Exhersion • Medical conditions • Road traffic accident during travelling to site or on foot patrol • Aggressive/confrontational behaviour from members of the public • Hazards relating to litter collection • Manual handling Frequency of exposure to hazards: Frequent Potential severity of injury: Major Existing control measures in place to reduce risk: • Specific safety procedures for Volunteers Wardens • Induction training delivered by Snowdon Warden team • First aid training to be explored and encouraged • First aid kit and safety kit • Rubber gloves, litter pickers and black plastic bags supplied • All accidents, near misses and incidents are recorded and appropriate action undertaken as required. • Check weather forecast prior to activity & observe conditions throughout. If necessary change plans, amend route & move to safety. • Suitable & adequate clothing and footwwear plus access to warm (or cold) drinks. • Volunteers asked to share relevant previous & existing medical issues. • Regular breaks to be taken.

Assessed residual risk: (√)

18 Further preventative and protective measures required: • Implement buddy system • Implement refresher/induction training at regular intervals and record attendance • Copies of this risk assessment to be kept with volunteer kit • National park staff to be fully familiarised with the above risk assessments and monitor for compliance with control measures

Person/s responsible for implementing above measures: Senior Warden, Snowdon Warden, Seasonal Wardens, Volunteer Wardens Assessment carried out by: Helen Pye, Snowdon Warden Date of Assessment: April 2014

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Risk Assessment for Litter Picking

Department: Countryside Section: Wardens/Volunteers Location: Snowdon

Work activity assessed: • The collection of litter from all types of site, path, or waters edge

Persons identified ‘at risk’: Volunteers, Members of the public/visitors Main hazards associated with this work activity: • Slips, trips and falls • Manual Handling • Biological Agents - from condoms, feminine hygiene products , disposable nappies, food/drink (containers or items of) or needles. Hytatid disease from dog faeces and contact with other animal faeces • Chemical Agents – from any number of discarded chemicals whether identifiable or not but including acids, alkalis, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, asbestos fibres (see separate RA for asbestos) etc. • Mechanical Hazards – from broken glass, metal edges, sharps, wire etc. • Environmental - weather conditions

Frequency of exposure to hazards: Often Potential severity of injury: Major Existing control measures in place to reduce risk: • Hazardous/dangerous material should be reported to Duty Warden. • All larger items to be reported to the Duty Warden for removal to reduce risk of back strain. • First Aid kit carried. • All accidents/injuries reported via e-mail. • Lone Working policy and procedures in operation. • Disposable gloves and bin bags issued and used.

Assessed residual risk: (√)

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Further preventative and protective measures required:

• In training specific emphasis should be given regarding hazardous waste items such as sharps and the possible presence of Weils (Leptospirosis) disease and clear guidance given on how these items should be dealt with. • Incident form to be completed following any accidents or near misses and reported via RIDDOR when required • Discarded (bagged) rubbish should be treated with extra care to avoid ‘sticking’ by sharps contained within, whilst carrying to depot. • Any containers containing suspect liquid should not be collected. These items together with any unidentifiable chemical or biological waste must be reported to the Local Authority’s environmental health department (for identification and advice on disposal), The Environment Agency (if a water course is at risk) or a specialist waste contractor if on NPA owned land • All collected rubbish should be transported to, and placed into the bin outside Pen y Pass centre.

Person/s responsible for implementing above measures: Volunteers, Duty Warden, Senior Warden, Volunteer Wardens Assessment carried out by: Helen Pye Position: Snowdon Warden Date of Assessment: April 2014

21 Risk Assessment for Blood Bourne Diseases

Department: Countryside Section: Wardens Location: Snowdon

Work activity assessed: Rubbish and litter collection

Persons identified ‘at risk’: Wardens and volunteers Main hazards associated with this work activity: Contraction of BBV’s (Blood-Bourne Viruses) and subsequent liver disease. Contraction of HIV (Human Deficiency Syndrome) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

Frequency of exposure to hazards: Infrequently

Potential severity of injury: Major Existing control measures in place to reduce risk:

Use of litter pickers and protective gloves. Covering up of breaks in skin with waterproof dressings/plasters and gloves. Following of good basic hygiene practices such as hand washing.

Assessed residual risk: (√)

Further preventative and protective measures required:

As there remains a possibility of ‘sticking’ with sharps in abandoned rubbish/litter which can not be easily seen, all persons involved in litter collection/eyesore removal should be issued with suitable and sufficient protective gloves.

Person/s responsible for implementing above measures: Senior Warden, Duty Warden, Volunteer Wardens

Assessment carried out by: Helen Pye Position: Snowdon Warden Date of Assessment: April 2014

ES/H&S/Forms/RAv1.0

22 Appendix 2 - Patrol Routes

Llanberis Path

23 PyG/Miners

24