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Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales and stands at 1085m. Its height and beauty make it a sought after peak and there are many reasons that you may wish to engage the services of a mountain guide or instructor to reach its summit. I can assist with guiding celebrities (follow link for pictures of Barry McGuigan playing piano near the summit), television crews, charity challenge events, family days out or individuals who want the peace of mind of a professionally qualified local instructor.
Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon
North Wales is a land of mountains, rivers, lakes and crags and within it the old kingdom of Gwynedd is the jewel in the crown, known in Welsh as Eryri and in English as Snowdonia. The Snowdonia national park has 15 mountains that sit over 3000 feet and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa meaning burial mound in Welsh) sits as the chieftan of them all.
The mountain was originally formed over 450 million years ago through tectonic plate collision and then formed into the shape that we recognise today through a series of ice ages, the most recent one being just 10 000 years ago.
Mountaineering has been a fairly recent pursuit but Snowdon has been at the heart of British development of the way of life that many of us enjoy. The mountain has long been a training ground for expeditions to the Alps and the Himalaya and the PYG Hotel at the foot of the mountain was the base for the 1953 Everest expedition whilst training for their successful summit attempt.
My experience & qualifications
I am a professionally qualified Mountaineering Instructor and a member of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team that covers Snowdon. I hold the MIC which is the highest level of instructional qualification in the UK and work full time as an instructor. I am on Snowdon most weeks of the year either for work, play or in a rescue capacity. I am a keen rock climber and mountaineer and you can browse the gallery section of this website to see some of the many beautiful places I have climbed.
The Routes to the Summit
There are 7 main routes to the summit of Snowdon, each offering their own unique challenges and charms. We tend to use one of the following when guiding groups:
The Llanberis Path: The path starts in the village of Llanberis and winds its way up the North West flank of the mountain. The day involves over 800m of ascent and close to 12km of walking but in summer conditions poses few technical difficulties.
The Pyg Track & Miners Track: We often use these paths in combination since they start and finish in the same place. The car park at Pen Y Pass offers a high starting point at 359m and so reduces the height gain to a little over 700m. The distance covered is also reduced to closer to 9km of walking but the ground is more awkward than that found on the Llanberis Path with some steeper sections.
Either of these options can be done in a days walk. We normally meet at 9:30am and finish at about 5:00pm. The cost is £30 per person for group bookings of 5 people or more. If you have a smaller group please email for a quote.
What about equipment?
We will provide you with a detailed kit list when you book on the course. You can hire boots and waterproofs here: http://www.snowdonia-hire.co.uk/index.html
What about accommodation & transport?
We do not include accommodation with this course. If you have a large group the best place to stay is the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis. This is situated at the foot of the Llanberis Path up Snowdon and so solves your transport problem!
Meeting Place & Time
We can meet you at the Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis or alternatively at a cafe in the High Street of Llanberis. We will confirm this when you book. We normally meet at 9:30am and aim to finish between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
Other Questions
I have tried to make this site as comprehensive as possible because I am rarely available to answer questions on the phone. I don't employ any admin staff, its just me and I am in the mountains all day. I am also out several evenings a week with the Mountain Rescue Team, Search Dogs or just climbing for myself. Its really helpful if you can email me with any questions that you can't find answers to on the website and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Prices:
The cost is £30 per person for summer walks with a minimum fee of 5 people. (Less people can attend but the fee will be higher per person)
For other seasons and routes please email for a quote.
Other Courses
You may also be interested in our range of navigation and hill skills courses.
Booking & Cost
Booking our services is simplicity itself. We charge a price per person and will provide enough instructors/leaders to manage your group size. We can cater for groups from 1 to 60 people.
Summer Walk up Snowdon:
£30 per person. (There is a minimum charge of 5 people)
Winter Walk up Snowdon (when the mountain has snow on it)
Please email for a quote.
How to book
You can book by post and cheque by downloading a booking form and terms and conditions here.
or
You can choose to book online by reading our terms and conditions here,
and clicking the button below. (In clicking the button you agree to our terms and conditions of booking)
