Mt Snowdon and unpredictable weather

An attempt to climb Mt Snowdon, thwarted by wet and cold conditions.   Disappointing for some of us, but we made a sensible decision to stop the walk up, as we had young children to consider, and most of the group were not dressed for conditions on the upper part of the mountain.

Now I know that for New Zealanders, Mt Snowden was but a hill, at 1085 metres high, but it was still prone to extreme weather conditions, and the last 400 metres up the ridge was a fairly stiff climb.   

Of course there was an easy way up, on the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis, but it was an expensive trip, and it needed to be booked in advance, seeing it was the peak tourist season.    

We researched which track we would take, and the Snowdon Ranger Path came out as the best path, due to it being the shortest one, and less busy.   The starting point was by the Snowdon Ranger Y.H. on the A4085. the road that travels between Beddgelert and Caenarfon.  Apparently, it was an easy route to the summit of Snowdon, and easily achievable by walkers of all abilities, and all one needed was a good pair of boots, waterproofs and some lunch.   

The weather forecast looked promising too, overcast but no rain. But of course with the unpredictability of mountains, that was not always going to be so.   

After trying to find enough coins for the carpark tickets, and visits to a couple of very smelly toilets, we finally collected together. ready to set forth up the track to Mt Snowdon.

The group, in our assortment of walking gear.

The path zig zagged up 500 metres (in height), until it reached a point where the path levelled out.   Quite an easy walk so far.  And very busy.

Time for a rest and food.   A very happy group.

A view across the valley.    The clouds over the hills looked as if rain was on the way.

And then it rained, and rained, the clouds covered the surrounding countryside, and the temperature dropped considerably.   It was never very hot anyway.    As we walked towards the ridge we met many people returning, who said that the weather on the upper level was worse, with strong winds and hail, and a temperature of 4 degrees.   We also met a family who had taken the train up, and walked down our path, who told us the cafe at the top was closed.   The thought of struggling up to the top, just to find that there was no coffee, would be the final straw.

So we stopped, had a discussion, and decided to turn around and walk back.   'Hurray', said the relieved children.

The bedraggled group, dripping with water.   The peak behind us, hidden in the clouds.

Mia and me.  Very wet.   A mountain 'selfie'.

We arrived back at the carpark, visited the smelly toilets again, and ate our lunch in the cars, with the heaters on in order to dry out a bit.

What to do?    We then drove along the A4085 towards Caenarfon, where we paid more money for another carpark.

The sun was shining, we had dried out, and spent a happy afternoon visiting Caenarfon Castle.   Not quite Mt Snowdon, but very interesting and much drier.