Snowdon Summit

1.7k · July 6, 2004

I'm just sounding out, to see if there would be enough interest in a group booking on theSnowdon Mountain Railway, with a view to getting a find of Were Is Snowdon Summit, the idea being to make it into a cache event (subject to our reviewers approving it) as it involves a 2 1/2 round journey (including 1/2 hour at the summit) giving plenty of time to discus geocaching. A group booking is subject to a minimum of 15 persons, and the cost would be £14 per adult and £9 each child (normally £20 and £14, children under 3yrs are free, as long as they are sat on some ones knee), proposed date to be sorted, but I'm looking at the end of September, to mid October. If there is enough interest to generated, we could get a carriage to our selves (I will look into nos required for that). Have a look at the no of caches around Snowdon.

Dave

6.2k · July 6, 2004

I'd be interested in attending. I have virtual cache setting plans in that area! :blink:

SP

1.9k · July 6, 2004

:blink: We have a vcd of footage we took on the Snowdon Railway July 2002.

5 minutes into the journey back down the engine ran away down the track (they push the carriages up and are not connected to them)and the emergency brakes came on bringing our carriage to a dramatic stop.

At this point the train track is only feet away from a drop of several thousand feet into the valley below. :lol:

As Joan is scared of heights this really shook her up

As there is a cache up there she may be persuaded to risk the journey again as long as everyone holds her hand

1.7k · July 6, 2004

No problems on that, I'll get "SheWhoMustBeObeyed" :blink: (who you'll meet at the CITO event) to hold her hand, and believe me that could involve some hand holding never to be forgotten (I'll explain when I see you). With my 3 that makes a possible group of 7, only another 8 to show a interest, and the show could be on the road :lol: . After just checking out the SMR site, I can confirm that there are wheel chair suitable carriages, and facilities at the summit, so that no one needs to feel they can't attend (for any one who is unable to make the last bit from the summit cafe to the top, I'll volunter to take your GPSr, up to the Trig Point, so that you can claim a find )

Dave

Edited July 6, 2004 by Mancunian Pyrocacher

1.7k · July 6, 2004

We're up for it, so you can add 2 more to the list.

P&T

1.7k · July 6, 2004

I'd be interested in attending. I have virtual cache setting plans in that area!

SP

Virtual? Holiday cache?

You cannot be serious!!!!!!!!!!!

:lol:

1.2k · July 6, 2004

Are dogs welcome on the train?

3.3k · July 6, 2004

With all this talk of Ben Nevis and Snowdon, I really wish I'd bothered to get the caches last July when I did the Three Peaks Challenge. Me and some colleagues climbed the mountains (and Scafell Pike) in (an intended) 24 hours - we actually did it in 27.

For any of you wondering what I look like :blink: (well, stranger things have happened!) , I'm sure you'll find a few pictures on our web site from last year: Exeter Three Peaks Challenge.

Somehow I wasn't quite into caching in July. I started again just after that I think. Oh well, I'll have to pop up those mountains again some time :lol: . I can't manage this event though I'd love to.

1.1k · July 6, 2004

Using the train is cheating, I think I'll have to inform the moderators............ :blink:

1.7k · July 6, 2004

We're up for it, so you can add 2 more to the list

only 6 more to go and it looks like we've got at least a possible group booking, if not a cache event. Come on people, a chance to claim a possible 2 finds in one and save yourself £6 in the bargin :lol: .

Are dogs welcome on the train?

sorry no, unless they are a regestered sight dog .

Using the train is cheating, I think I'll have to inform the moderators............

Sorry but it's not . I made sure of that by checking it out on the cache page, you could even use a helecopter to get to the top, as long as you take a height reading with your GPSr. And no I'm not voluntering to organise that :blink: .

Dave

Edited July 6, 2004 by Mancunian Pyrocacher

July 6, 2004

As we are officially "Welsh veterans" now (seeing that we've visited there at least ONCE before in our caching lives) we are more than a little excited to visit there again for a bit of caching action. We had plans to do Snowdon's summit last time we were there but didnt due to their "NO BOO's" policy. But we will definitely be up for going there again and seeing all the happy faces!

Anyone up for a bit of camping??? Theres a lovely site in BETWS-Y-COED where theres a nice stroll to the village and an excellent river that runs through it for paddling weary feet! Or is there a better spot for camping near Snowdon, please let us know!!!

House Of Boo

July 6, 2004

Anyone up for a bit of camping??? Theres a lovely site in BETWS-Y-COED where theres a nice stroll to the village and an excellent river that runs through it for paddling weary feet! Or is there a better spot for camping near Snowdon, please let us know!!!

House Of Boo

I`m be up for the camping, may as well make a long weekend and get some decent walking in.

My only problem is I won`t be available between the 25th September and 3rd October

Geo

July 6, 2004

Maybe would could have 2 groups. I have been meaning to get that cache for a while, but also want to get the other on the Pyg Track, which is on the way up by foot.

There is also another cache near the start of the Pyg Track for those who havn't bagged it yet, so if dave gets the number together for the train trip, I'de be happy to lead anyone up the Pyg Track, and we all get to the cache event at the top

And I won't even mention my 7 caches around the base of the mountain

1.7k · July 7, 2004

If we get enough no's for a group booking, we can all have a discussion about a suitable date. As for hinting about a certain series around the base, I was keeping that in reserve, ready to persuade anyone who was wavering about taking part . We will also have a good discussion about timing it so that the Walking team are at the summit at the same time as the Sensible team .

Dave

1.7k · July 7, 2004

If you do consider changing the date, we are in the area on our hols from 28th Aug to 4th Sept, and are already planning to walk up (much greater sence of achivement). It would be great to turn it into an event and get to see you all on the top.

1k · July 7, 2004

I'd be interested in attending. I have virtual cache setting plans in that area!

SP

..............Oh no you haven't, I hope

Virt where physical could live, maybe

Vacation cache, maybe

We'll be watching

LoL

July 7, 2004

I'm 'up' for it Dave but there's no way I'll miss out on the trek up the mountain! Sorry for the lack of support towards carriage booking numbers but don't count me in for the train. I meet you all at the top! Pyg Track here we come (again)! Don't forget the two trigpoints on Garnedd Ugain 1065m and Yr Wyddfa 1085m! Look forward to a date, the closer to winter the better the challenge!

1.7k · July 7, 2004

I've just had a reply to a query regarding hiring out a carriage. It's £800 for one carriage and loco to push it up to the summit (each carriage holds 54, so any one with lots of spare change in their pockets ) but is a fixed price for any no of occupants. If any one else is interested in taking the easy option to the summit, please let me know asap, so that if we have viable no's for a group booking, I can start making formal inquires about dates and times available.

Dave

July 7, 2004

We would like to come - thats 2 adults and 2 children (neither under 3 yrs) hope it's better weather than last time when the grandparents took them up in 70mph winds and only got half way

Can't come during the weekend of 9th/10th October though

thanks for organising this

Edited for dates

Edited July 7, 2004 by aRRKS

July 7, 2004

If you are looking for a good campsite near Snowdon try the site at Waunfawr in the grounds of the Snowdonia Parc Hotel. Nice flat site with good views of the mountains. Good clean showers and facilities. The hotel serves excellent meals and Welsh Highland bitter brewed in its own Microbrewery .The only really weird thing is you are not allowed to wear caps or hat's in the bar or lounge This is also the start of the Welsh highland railway. I am pretty sure they are alright with well behaved dogs but you would have to check . Hope this is of some help

Edited July 7, 2004 by madjon

6.2k · July 7, 2004

I'd be interested in attending. I have virtual cache setting plans in that area!

SP

..............Oh no you haven't, I hope

Virt where physical could live, maybe

Vacation cache, maybe

We'll be watching

LoL

It'll be a 'email me the date on the back of the object and try to include a photo of you in front of it with your GPS with your log if you can' kind of Virtual. It's a public location on private land where a physical cache couldn't be placed. It's a spot very close to my heart and, I think, be well worthy of a virt. Can I ask what the issue is with virtual caches away from home or regularly visited areas. I understand physicals - even micros - being banned on the grounds of the maintenance issue, but 'experience' virtuals...?

SP

1.9k · July 7, 2004

As there is a cache up there she may be persuaded to risk the journey again as long as everyone holds her hand

What have I let myself in for!!!!. I vowed and swore that I would never make that journey again. My fear of heights has been much worse since that day. Though of course I have to do it again as it is another get together. Being that you all know that I am not addicted to the sport. If it is a choice of the train or walking up I think I will have to choose the train. Though will not guarantee that I will go to the summit. (Didn't last time we went up) Mark did while I sat on the rocks at the bottom of the summit. Coward aren't I.

If you think that is cowardice you want to see me with escalators!!!!!!!

Joan

:angry:

July 7, 2004

Cool idea - prefer walking to the train though ... meetya at the top!

July 7, 2004

I`d be with the walking team also :laughing:

6.2k · July 7, 2004

I'll probably want to climb it too. The last time I went to the top I was 10 or 11 and my father, brother and I went straight up the side from the pass. Rather hairy for a young 'um but I guess a youth of adventure has stood me in good thingy. :laughing: As I recall, we came back down the Pyg Track so I might try that route this time. It must be easier than the two thirds of Ben Nevis I climbed this time last year...

SP :blink:

1k · July 7, 2004

I'd be interested in attending. I have virtual cache setting plans in that area!

SP

..............Oh no you haven't, I hope

Virt where physical could live, maybe

Vacation cache, maybe

We'll be watching

LoL

It'll be a 'email me the date on the back of the object and try to include a photo of you in front of it with your GPS with your log if you can' kind of Virtual. It's a public location on private land where a physical cache couldn't be placed. It's a spot very close to my heart and, I think, be well worthy of a virt. Can I ask what the issue is with virtual caches away from home or regularly visited areas. I understand physicals - even micros - being banned on the grounds of the maintenance issue, but 'experience' virtuals...?

SP

Sorry SP, I can understand your disappointment, but it would still not fly.

Check out Loctodorum's post pinned just up the top, and follow his link to the guidelines, check out the section on virts and vacation caches and you will see how we are constrained to not allow these to go free.

We have to turn down quite a few each year submitted by people from other countries, and I know from my talks with others, they have their vacation virts abroad turned down also.

Cheers and Cache Well,

Eckington

1.7k · July 7, 2004

That makes it 10 for the train up to now, if I've counted right :laughing: , only another 5 to make up a group booking. Any more sensible volunters for the train?

Having walked to the summit twice before, I would rather walk up, but my daughter Dolly Girl has a problem with her legs, which makes it imposible to tackle the walk (she's game for anything, but the amount of pain she would be in would make it impossible for her to reach the summit, thats why you will often see comments about hills in her logs) as for "SheWhoMustBeObeyed" she struggles to walk on the flat at times, hence the idea of the train.

Though will not guarantee that I will go to the summit.

No problems "SheWhoMustBeObeyed" will sit and have a brew with you, as there is no chance of her leaving the station. I just hope if it goes ahead, we are able to time it so that both teams are a the summit at the same time.

Dave.

Edited July 7, 2004 by Mancunian Pyrocacher

July 7, 2004

Mrs Wild Trekker said she will take the train with Wild Trekker Jnr, who will be about a month old by then, so long as you look after her whilst I talk the long hard walk.

2.9k · July 7, 2004

, but also want to get the other on the Pyg Track, which is on the way up by foot.

We were planning to walk up the pyg track at some point. Would come direct from home (its close enough for a cache trip <100miles :laughing: ). We may be persuaded to take the train if you run really short. Glad we bagged Padarn Treasure Hunt when last in the area, as that might make it too long a day :blink:

July 7, 2004

The house Of Boo would split so myself and Boo would take the walking option, whereas Jo would be in the train with the "sensible" people. BTW - It would be alright to take the Boo up the walking way wouldnt it??? How bad a climb is it??? Will that really matter to a Border Collie???

So you would have one more member taking the train! Four more to go!

House Of Boo

1.7k · July 7, 2004

Mrs Wild Trekker said she will take the train with Wild Trekker Jnr, who will be about a month old by then, so long as you look after her whilst I talk the long hard walk.

"SheWhoMustBeObeyed" says she would be delighted to look after both of them, Dolly Girl is a right little mother .

We may be persuaded to take the train if you run really short.

Thanks for the offer, hopefully you wont have to miss the chance "talking" :laughing: to the summit (see WildTrekkers post ).

Andrew don't forget to post the arrival of WT jnr, so we can all congratulate you and Dawn on your new find :blink: .

Dave

July 7, 2004

I'd like to come - not sure if I can make it but i'll try - don't think i'm fit enough to climb the mountain so i'll enjoy the train ride. (actually the real reason i'll take the train is that with the gps,pda, camera its all too heavy to carry up :-) )

July 7, 2004

I am really interested in hitting the summit of Snowdon, but only by foot i'm afraid :laughing: After doing Nevis I set myself a goal of reaching the peaks of England, Wales, Ireland and N.Irelad also! i'm sure you lot will have a really good time though, nice idea!

July 8, 2004

Looks like we have the makings of a Pen-y-Pass group. I'll gladly co-ordinate that if you wish Dave. With modern communications I'm sure we can arrange it that we all arrive at Snowdon Cafe at the same time as the train! I'm not available Sep 9/10 so if you can avoid that weekend!

1.7k · July 8, 2004

Looks like we have the makings of a Pen-y-Pass group. I'll gladly co-ordinate that if you wish Dave.

That would be great Paul, now it's time to start talking dates, at a guess at Saturday would probably be best for every one, Sept: 4th,11th,18th,25th, Oct 2nd,9th,16th.23rd. I'm sure our new mummy and daddy to be , would be looking at the October dates. As for timing it at the summit, the train has a 1/2 stay there, and takes a hour approx, to reach the summit. Paul if you can do some planning to work out a start time and ETA at the summit, it would give me a idea of what time to query about the train.

Dave

July 8, 2004

That would be great Paul, now it's time to start talking dates, at a guess at Saturday would probably be best for every one, Sept: 4th,11th,18th,25th, Oct 2nd,9th,16th.23rd. I'm sure our new mummy and daddy to be , would be looking at the October dates. As for timing it at the summit, the train has a 1/2 stay there, and takes a hour approx, to reach the summit. Paul if you can do some planning to work out a start time and ETA at the summit, it would give me a idea of what time to query about the train.

Dave

As for Dates, I'm ok for Sept: 18th & 25th, Oct 16th. & 23rd, although we have to concider keeping WT Jr warm, so end of Oct may be a bit chilly for him/her

Thanks Paul for taking the lead on the Pyg Track group, saves me the job as I think I may be busy over the next few weeks

I think peoples pace will vary for the group, but I would guess 3hrs would allow all to make the climb, plus stoppages for a cache or 2 on the way up. If you want parking at the start of the track then you will need to be there by 8am latest, maybe earlier, else it's getting the bus from llanberis or the other end of the Pass. Might be good to find out the frequency of that bus.

Edited July 8, 2004 by wildtrekker

July 8, 2004

September would be good for us as October sounds chilly in a tent... Could do it at a stretch???

Could anyone tell me what the trek up is like as I will have an active pup to consider taking with me... theres no chasmic bridges or wafer thin paths edged by sheer drops are there??? What I'm trying to say is am I risking the Boo by taking her up with me? I like the idea of taking on Snowdon and the boo loves hills and mountains judging by her last visit to Wales!

Looking forward to it.

House Of Boo

July 8, 2004

Could anyone tell me what the trek up is like as I will have an active pup to consider taking with me... theres no chasmic bridges or wafer thin paths edged by sheer drops are there??? What I'm trying to say is am I risking the Boo by taking her up with me? I like the idea of taking on Snowdon and the boo loves hills and mountains judging by her last visit to Wales!

You should be ok as long as you don't decide or divert up Crib Goch, that is a knife edge!!!!

The Pyg Track is a good steady track most of the way and no real virtical drops and you do pass many a dog dragging it's owner up the mountain. I think the worst bit is the Zig Zags, which are 3/4 of the way up and around where a Cache is hidden I believe, but thats just a series of steps going up with steaper slopes.

July 8, 2004

Thank you Wildtrekker!

Due to the new info definitely count Boo and I on in the brave walking folk. But Jo will still want that train ticket along with with the sensible people

House Of Boo

July 8, 2004

The Pyg Track.

Based on up to average walkers ability:

Start Pen y Pass car park 359m SH6473755542

Finish Snowdon Cafe 1066m SH6093254332

Overall contoured distance 5.39km

Total contoured climb 787m (relief not calculated)

Estimated walking time 2hr 22min

Average speed 2.27km/h (average ability pace on level 4km/h)

Breaks 3x10 or 2x15 total 30mins

Round up to 3hrs!

My climb to Ben Macdui (1309m) in May was was apprx 9.5km, 878m climb in 2hrs at avg 5km/h with no breaks (apart from taking cache GC8FB1 on the way) so I'm being quite generous with my calcs for Snowdon! I believe 3 hrs should give a group of up to average ability a good time advantage to get to the cafe ahead of the train. Facilities at the cafe are extensive and good so no concerns about arriving early and waiting. Our rendevous with the train group at the summit would be our first priority so anyone interested in taking the trig at Garnedd Ugain should do so on the return leg and for those faint-hearted a return to the Pyg Track from the trig!

Return leg 1hr banzai of Crib Goch! Sorry, let's be sensible, apprx 2hr back down the Pyg Track!

-

Just seen Wildtrekker's reply so 3 hours it is then! Considering Wildtrekker's advice on parking I would suggest meeting at the top somewhere between eleven and midday. Walkers therefore setting off between eight and nine.

Edited July 8, 2004 by Pyoung1s

3.8k · July 8, 2004

Snowdon if fantastic. We did it in 2 hrs 22 mins from pen-y-pass via the miners track, 721 mtrs of ascent and that was on the 3rd day of the three peaks (I know it can be done in 24 hrs but why rush a good thing we did one a day for three days) there is some info and pictures on my old site(not moved them yet)

1.7k · July 8, 2004

Given preference for a date seems to be the 25th of September, if every one agrees on that date, I'll make some inquiry's with SMR about train times around 10am to 11am, that would give the Rail team a eta at the summit of between 11am to 12noon. Can anyone suggest a nice place for liquid refreshment, that the 2 teams could rendezvous at after the return journey.

Dave

July 8, 2004

I dunno about liquid, but Pete's Eats does some great Nosh, although we would struggle on numbers, so a pub it is

2.2k · July 8, 2004

Know I'm not going on this one but a suggestion of the Vaynol half way up the pass for liquid refreshment.

Cheers

Tony

July 8, 2004

Given preference for a date seems to be the 25th of September, if every one agrees on that date

I can`t make the 25th Sept.

1.9k · July 8, 2004

Given preference for a date seems to be the 25th of September, if every one agrees on that date, I'll make some inquiry's with SMR about train times around 10am to 11am, that would give the Rail team a eta at the summit of between 11am to 12noon. Dave

Fine by us & only 12 days after my 39th birthday

1.7k · July 8, 2004

I can`t make the 25th Sept.

How about leaving the 25th as a back up date, and looking at the 18th of September. Would that suite everyone?

Fine by us & only 12 days after my 39th birthday

And thats only 5 days after your 39th :wacko: . Any objections to moving the date forward a week, I'd rather not move it backwards, as it gets a bit chilly for camping and new babys .

Dave

July 9, 2004

18th Sept will be ok for us - thanks

July 9, 2004

18th OK for me as well!

1.9k · July 9, 2004

18th is fine for us

Snowdon Summit

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