SNOWDON FORGET-ME-NOT CHALLENGE 5 ways in 5 days in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society The start of Y Lliwedd ridge Midway up Snowdon Ranger Day 1: Tuesday 30th July Start: 9.00am Pont Bethania Car Park Approximate postcode: LL55 4NH Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/6EbrfEhYmDRkpArr7 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH627506 UP: Watkin Path / South Ridge combined path miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 7/10 7/10 2/10 4 DOWN: Watkin Path miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 7/10 7/10 2/10 4 We are hitting this challenge with a really tough start - the Watkin Path and the South Ridge are considered to be the 3rd and 4th hardest routes after Crib Goch (which we are not tackling on this challenge) and Y Lliwedd (which features on Day 4). Watkin starts reasonably gently on a well made track before we reach the point where we divert onto South Ridge. This involves a steeper ascent that then becomes much more of a scramble that requires using hands (although the rock face is never actually vertical nor requires ropes). Once at the top, there is an exciting trek along a ridge that is reasonable narrow but not too scary before the final push up to the summit. The biggest challenge in descent is the initial section of Watkin which is steep, rocky and at times a scree slope. However this quickly reverts to an easier track before ending back where we started on the gentler, wider path to the car park. Finish: Pont Bethania Car Park Accommodation: drive to Cwellyn Arms LL54 6TL - 01766 890 321 We will be eating at Cwellyn Arms at around 7pm and welcome anyone who wishes to join us either at the bar or for food. It is recommended to book in advance as it will probably be busy. Day 2: Wednesday 31st July (50th Birthday!) Start: 9.00am Llyn Cwellyn Car Park by the Snowdon Ranger railway station and YHA hostel Approximate postcode: LL55 7YS Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/TC6MG2eTaGU14NLQ8 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH564550 UP: Snowdon Ranger miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 2/10 1/10 3/10 3 DOWN: Rhyd Ddu Path miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 5/10 6/10 1/10 3 As a complete contrast to Day 1, this is one of the easiest days (excluding the last day up from Llanberis). That said, we are still climbing up a long way and at times the path is steep, so the challenge should not be underestimated. After an initial section of gentle switchbacks on a very even path, the final climb up becomes more rocky although not too technical. The descent requires a short initial spell on the same ridge we ascended on day 1, before splitting off onto a reasonably gentle, but at times rocky track back to Rhyd Ddu station then a short stretch along the lane to the pub. Please note that the start and finish car parks are about 1.5 miles apart (potentially a further 30 min walk along the lane) Finish: Rhyd Ddu West Highland Railway Station LL54 6TN Accomodation: Cwellyn Arms Birthday Dinner: We are booked for 7pm at the Cwellyn Arms – you are all welcome to join us but please book this directly with the pub (01766 890 321) and let them know you plan to join our group Day 3: Thursday 1st August Start: 9.00am Rhyd Ddu West Highland Railway Station car park Approximate postcode: LL54 6TN Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/jqmkMP1CiPwXc8Ld6 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH571525 UP: South Ridge from Rhyd Ddu miles difficulty fear crowds hours 3.5 7/10 7/10 2/10 4 DOWN: Pyg Track miles difficulty fear crowds hours 3 5/10 5/10 8/10 3 Today we again approach my personal favourite of the South Ridge but this time from the opposite side, so after a gentle start back up the Rhyd Ddu path from yesterday, we repeat the fun scramble and ridge along to the summit. The Pyg Track, considered to be the next hardest after South Ridge, is a reasonable descent but with some very rocky and steep sections initially before it gradually becomes better made. It is tough on the knees! Those of you reading this closely will notice that we are finishing in a car park on the complete opposite side of Snowdon from the one we started and so please bear this logistical issue in mind if you are planning on joining us for this whole day. Finish: Pen-y-Pass car park near the youth hostel Actual postcode: LL55 4NY Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/aymXxRvyuUPMM3iS6 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH647556 Accomodation: YHA Pen y Pass, Nantgwynant, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4NY We will be eating at the Youth Hostel at around 7pm and welcome anyone who wishes to join us either at the bar or for food. Day 4: Friday 2nd August Start: Pen-y-Pass car park opposite the YHA hostel Actual postcode: LL55 4NY Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/aymXxRvyuUPMM3iS6 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH647556 UP: Y Lliwedd miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 8/10 8/10 5/10 3 DOWN: Miner’s Track miles difficulty fear crowds hours 4 4/10 4/10 8/10 3 Another very challenging day, not least because I suspect that parking for anyone joining us will be extremely difficult! There are overspill parking options along the road (see note below) but you MUST ensure none of your tyres are touching the tarmac to avoid parking tickets. Arrive early! Both of these routes share the same section at the foot of Snowdon, lulling us into a false sense of easiness which rapidly evaporates as we get to the more technical sections. Y Lliwedd (2nd hardest route up and the hardest we are tackling) climbs rapidly to a short 3 peak ridge with plenty of steep and fun technical scrambling before finishing on that tricky scree slope up the Watkin Path, and the Miner’s (sharing the same initial descent as Pyg) has plenty of rocky steep sections to really wear out the knees. Finish: Pen y Pass car park near the youth hostel LL55 4NY Accomodation: YHA Pen-y-Pass We will be eating at the Youth Hostel at around 7pm and welcome anyone who wishes to join us either at the bar or for food. Alternative parking to Pen-y-Pass is available in several places on the A498 (both pay & display, and free) with access to Pen-y-Pass via a public footpath just below the A4086 road to Pen-y-Pass. The footpath is approx. 1.5km so allow extra time to walk it. There is also parking in Llanberis and Nant Peris with a bus directly to Pen-y-Pass. Day 5: Saturday 3rd August Start: 9.00am Snowdon Mountain Railway Station, Llanberis Approximate postcode: LL55 4TT Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/Jsut98sSuvPdUct5A Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SH585604 UP: Llanberis Path miles difficulty fear crowds Hours 5 2/10 1/10 10/10 4 DOWN: Llanberis Path miles difficulty fear crowds Hours 5 2/10 1/10 10/10 4 Alternative: Snowdon Mountain Railway - 01286 870 223 Our initial plan of walking up and catching the train down is not possible due to the Mountain Railway restrictions, however, if you are joining us for this day, it is possible to ride the train both ways, or ride up on the train then walk down. We are going to walk both ways and, as this is the busiest (and easiest) of all the routes, we also hope it will be an excellent opportunity to shake our collecting tins and raise lots of money for the Alzheimer’s Society. If you do want to book the train, do it well in advance. We aim to reach the top in time to meet the 12.00 noon train which reaches the summit at 1pm. This path is the longest and therefore also the least steep of all the routes providing a reasonably achievable jaunt up Snowdon. A well made track that doesn’t get too uneven, this is a lovely easy way to complete our challenge. Finish: Snowdon Mountain Railway Station, Llanberis LL55 4TT (As a final celebration of my birthday and completing this challenge, we are having a private family dinner locally before going home and recovering! Apologies that we can’t invite you to join us) Points to Note 1. July/August is peak season for tourists and in particular for people wanting to go up Snowdon. It will be extremely busy (and you will probably have to queue to actually get to the trig point at the summit!). As a result, parking will be problematic so share cars where you can, do your research for alternative parking options and arrive early. Most official carparks charge a day rate of around £6-£10. 2. The weather in Wales is unpredictable and changeable so please make sure you are well prepared. The temperature at the summit is around 9 degrees lower than at the foot of Snowdon. We will still be going ahead with this challenge even if it is raining (although we may change some of the routes if safety is an issue and possibly cancel days if the weather is too extreme). 3. All accommodation, meals, trains etc. should be booked and arranged by you directly. We advise that you do this as soon as possible as they will get booked up quickly as the tourist season approaches.