How Fit Do You Need To Be To Climb Snowdon?
Climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales, is a thrilling adventure that offers breathtaking views, a physical challenge and a rewarding sense of accomplishment. While Yr Wyddfa is accessible to people of various fitness levels, from those looking to reach their first summit to experienced scramblers and mountain climbers, we always recommend doing some physical preparations before your climb. More than anything, it helps ensure a safe and enjoyable mountain experience.
In this guide, we discuss how fit you need to be to climb Yr Wyddfa, how you can prepare and conclude with a few essential tips to make sure you are completely ready.
Understanding what climbing Yr Wyddfa involves
Here at Climb Snowdon, the team helps many people reach the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) for the first time. It is something we are quite proud of. If we didn’t do what we do, there is a good chance lots of people would never have experienced the spectacular Eryri landscape from the top of its crowning glory.
When talking to people about climbing Yr Wyddfa in the build-up to a first-time ascent, we often hear the same questions. It turns out that many people share the same concerns. So, before we dive into the ins-and-outs of how fit you need to be to climb Yr Wyddfa, we wanted to provide brief answers to a few of your frequently asked questions.
Is climbing Yr Wyddfa scary?
The quick answer to this is that it depends on what route you take. And how comfortable you feel in mountain environments. For instance, the Crib Goch ridgeline can be extremely intimidating and scary. But, for most people, Llanberis Path is not scary at all. Between those two extremes, the paths vary in the degree of difficulty and ‘fear factor.’ Part of what we do when advising you on executing a climb is matching you to the right route.
Can I climb Yr Wyddfa if I have a fear of heights?
Again, this is a deeply personal and subjective issue. Some people enjoy overcoming their fears and pushing themselves against their limits. Others could not think of anything worse. It also depends on the extent of your fear. Is it a paralysing, debilitating terror or a fear you can control with a few deep breaths and a moment of calm focus?
If you are scared of heights but want to climb Yr Wyddfa, we recommend getting in touch. Our team wants to enable people to achieve their Snowdon goals and has experience working with people who suffer from a fear of heights, nervousness and anxiety. At the very least, we can talk you through your options, establish whether climbing Yr Wyddfa is feasible for you right now, and begin working towards making it a reality.
Is climbing Yr Wyddfa just for athletes and “outdoor-types”?
Here, we can give you a simple and definite answer. No. Climbing Yr Wyddfa is NOT just for athletes and “outdoor-types”. Every year, thousands of people climb Yr Wyddfa. They come from all walks of life and for a remarkably diverse range of reasons.
There are first-timers looking to challenge themselves. Families introducing their little ones to the mountains. Peak-baggers travelling the world to climb its most famous mountains. Trail runners climbing at an unfathomable pace. Photographers trying to capture the perfect sunrise. It is a big, glorious mess of people. And we love it that way. So don’t ever think that Yr Wyddfa and Eryri are the exclusive domain of adventurous outdoor enthusiasts and the uber-fit. They are for everyone!
Assessing your fitness
Climbing Yr Wyddfa requires a moderate level of fitness. While you don’t need to be an elite athlete, some physical preparation is necessary. If you are a regular hiker and have tackled other mountains, you have previous experience to benchmark against. Talk to people who have climbed Yr Wyddfa, get their feelings and look at the technical climb information. You can compare the distance and altitude gain and get an approximate feel for how similar the challenges will be.
If Yr Wyddfa is your first mountain climb, it is a good idea to start by evaluating your current fitness level and seeing what you need to improve or work on. If you have pre-existing medical conditions that make physical activity difficult, try to consult a healthcare professional to discuss your next steps and ensure climbing Yr Wyddfa is safe.
As with all types of physical exercise, walking up a mountain tests and taxes different biological systems. To ensure you are ready for Yr Wyddfa, consider the following aspects of your fitness.
Cardiovascular fitness
As climbing Yr Wyddfa involves sustained, low-intensity physical exertion, focusing on cardiovascular fitness is vital. Your cardiovascular fitness refers to the body’s ability to take in and transport oxygen to the muscles during exercise. You can improve this aspect of your fitness by participating in regular aerobic exercises such as jogging, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
Leg strength and endurance
Strong legs are crucial for navigating the terrain you will encounter on your climb. That means we need muscular strength and endurance, as well as cardiovascular fitness. Your leg muscles are required for both the ascent and the descent, and muscular strength will play a significant role in determining the amount of control you have as you walk.
To improve this part of your fitness, incorporate exercises that target your lower body, such as lunges, squats, stair climbing, and calf raises. These exercises will build strength and endurance, enabling you to tackle challenging sections with greater ease.
Core and upper body strength
Many hikers focus exclusively on leg strength, forgetting that you need a well-rounded training regime to get the most from your body. While you should emphasise the lower body, developing core and upper body strength can also enhance your climbing experience. Engage in exercises like planks, sit-ups, and push-ups to improve stability, balance, and overall strength.
Balance and flexibility
Fitness is not just about the power in your legs or how long you can walk. It also determines how efficiently and safely you move. Staying balanced is essential while navigating rocky paths and uneven terrain, particularly higher up in the mountains where the environment is a little less forgiving and you need to be more careful.
You can incorporate exercises like yoga, stretching, and balance drills into your fitness regime easily. These activities will improve your flexibility and stability while reducing the risk of injuries. They also help you retain control when the body starts to tire and your walking and climbing technique gets a bit looser.
Practice hiking
In most cases, the best way to prepare for a particular type of physical activity is to practise that activity. For instance, cycling is the best training for cyclists and swimming is the best for swimmers. That does not mean cyclists shouldn’t do some weight training now and again. Nor that swimmers won’t benefit from jogging. But these are supplementary exercises. The main training comes from performing the activity you are prepping for.
This means practising hiking and getting out and walking regularly. While any amount of walking is beneficial, we recommend gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your hikes. Begin with shorter hikes on similar terrain and progress to longer and more challenging trails. This helps condition your body by forcing it to adapt to higher physical stress over time and also provides an opportunity to test your gear and footwear.
As you approach your climb, begin hiking with a full backpack on and also carry the two litres of water you’ll need when walking Yr Wyddfa. If you’re not sure what a full backpack should contain, check out our recommended kit list.
Structuring your preparations
So, we have discussed the activities you need to perform to prepare for Yr Wyddfa. But how do you structure them? How often do you train? How much walking do you need to do? To help, we created a sample training regime to follow.
It begins six weeks before your anticipated climb day and includes four weekly sessions – two walking sessions during the week, a weekend walk, and a strength session you can do whenever is convenient for you. The weekday sessions consist of 40-60 minute walks at an easy or steady pace. On the weekend session, you will build from a 2-hour unloaded walk in the first week to a six-hour loaded walk the week before your event. Finally, the strength sessions include exercises like step-ups, step-downs and squats.
You can adapt this training plan to suit your needs and lifestyle. If you have more time, you can extend the walks. If you prefer other strength exercises, incorporate those instead. Just don’t try to do too much and ensure your schedule is realistic for your current level of fitness and the amount of free time you have. Overtraining leads to injury. And nothing is more frustrating than abandoning a training plan because you made it too hard.
Understanding the terrain
Walkers also need to consider the skills required to climb their chosen route. In this respect, understanding the terrain is essential. Most first-time climbers head up Llanberis Path, as it is considered the simplest and easiest to climb. However, depending on your fitness and technical abilities in the mountains, you have a range of other routes to choose from, too.
Each summit route poses a different challenge, including steep inclines, rocky paths, and exposed sections. Consider the route you plan to take and tailor your fitness preparations accordingly. You can always call the Climb Snowdon team if you want to discuss your best option, request our professional assistance or sort anything else out.
Our top tips
Making it to the top is not a purely physical feat. Many other factors influence your ability to reach the summit safely and at a reasonable pace. With this in mind, here are our top tips for getting the most out of the day and your fitness:
- When walking uphill, shorten your stride and try to find a rhythm. It helps you preserve energy and maintain momentum
- Recovery is just as important to training as all those exercises you are doing. When you exercise, you actually break down muscles. It is only when you stop and recover that your body builds them back up and recruits new fibres to make them stronger. Taking days off, eating a healthy diet and getting good sleep are all key to successful training
- Stay well-hydrated before and during the climb, carrying an adequate supply of water. Get used to taking regular sips from your bottle. It is easy to forget when you are walking
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to fuel your body for the climb. Bring snacks to keep you going during the walk. We tend to recommend people avoid snacks with high sugar levels because they lead to big spikes and drop-offs in energy levels. If you have a sweet tooth, go for foodstuffs with natural sugars, like dried figs, dates and apricots. Unsurprisingly, trail mix is a great walking snack
- Invest in appropriate footwear, clothing, and equipment suitable for the terrain and weather conditions. Break in your hiking boots beforehand to avoid discomfort or blisters. Be aware that the weather is very changeable in the mountains and prepare accordingly
- Sharing the experience is a great way to make it easier and more fun. Friends who walk together tend to push each other a little more and the sense of camaraderie and companionship can be really rewarding. If you don’t know anyone who wants to walk with you, keep an eye out for local walking groups. They are typically a friendly bunch and will help and support you as you prepare for your Yr Wyddfa climb
What next?
Climbing Yr Wyddfa may be the toughest physical challenge you ever take on. It may also be a walk in the park. It really depends on your fitness level and willingness to train. On the easiest routes, almost anyone can make it to the summit if they prepare adequately. Which makes it the perfect challenge for inexperienced walkers and those looking to try something new.
But don’t worry if you don’t make it at the first attempt. Not everyone does and the mountain is not going anywhere. You can always come back and try again. And next time you will be fitter, wiser and better prepared.
At Climb Snowdon, we specialise in helping people achieve their mountain goals. Whether you are an experienced mountaineer wanting a winter challenge or have always dreamed of walking up one of the UK’s most iconic natural attractions, we have the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals.
If you have any more questions or want to speak to a member of the Climb Snowdon team to organise your first Yr Wyddfa experience, get in touch on 01286 870 870 or via our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!