markhallam - Dec 2, 2016 2:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1972
Long time ago
I know it was in 1972 from note made in an aged 'Poucher' guidebook, but had to guess at exact date. I was 12 and taken up by an adopted uncle Jim Sherwood.
GeorgeWood64 - Nov 14, 2015 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2015
This mountain can be dangerous if it catches you unprepared
The climb started problem free we were looking at summiting and having time to do glyders as well. Although we had the corrct clothing we didnt expect to need and I e axe and crampons. That was until the weather turned when we were at the watkin/snowdon horseshoe join up. When the wind speeds picked up and the path got covered in snow we went from being fine to having fog we couldd barely see five meters into and snow to make matters worse we were on the steep zig zags to the top (we didnt know that at the time). We ended up staying in the same place for forty five minutes until we heard the train and the wind calmed down. Always bring an ice axe and crampons on all of the paths but llanberis and rangers on snowdon in the winter in that same day mountain rescue had three callouts because of people in the same day (my dads mates friend works for them).
With my wife, and a couple of friends on a suspect weather day last year. Great track, hardly saw anyone.
The scree slope at the top is a b*gger but no real problems.
Came down the ridge which runs more or less north - south, the cloud came in, visibility was poor, the rocks were slippy, it rained (poured), we walked across a marsh and finished soaked back at the car park. I loved it, my wife described it as "the worst fun ever", which has now become a standard phrase whenever she is not enjoying herself.
Would recommend this route over any oher snowdon route, though I haven't done Crib Goch. I suspect that would also be the worst fun ever for my wife.
DrJonnie - May 25, 2010 10:52 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2010
Scorchio
Although I thought it was my first time on the Watkin Path, my memory was jogged when I saw the big slab and the Gladstone boulder. Talking with Ken today he assured me that we'd done it years ago. It must be 'old timers'.
Yesterday it was with Colin and we managed the 6 hour trip even with a stay at the top looking at the train and the hordes of tourists outside the new Cafe'. On the return leg we took the south ridge to complete a mini horseshoe and dropped down to the old tramway track before linking to the Watkin path below the old workings.
Good man, even taking your gf in bad weather that's commitment. . . to the mountains! Took my gf up a munro in fabulous weather, got to the top proposed, and all she goes on about that trip is all the pain she went through on the way down. She's never been up another mountain since!
markhallam - Dec 2, 2016 2:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1972
Long time agoI know it was in 1972 from note made in an aged 'Poucher' guidebook, but had to guess at exact date. I was 12 and taken up by an adopted uncle Jim Sherwood.
GeorgeWood64 - Nov 14, 2015 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2015
This mountain can be dangerous if it catches you unpreparedThe climb started problem free we were looking at summiting and having time to do glyders as well. Although we had the corrct clothing we didnt expect to need and I e axe and crampons. That was until the weather turned when we were at the watkin/snowdon horseshoe join up. When the wind speeds picked up and the path got covered in snow we went from being fine to having fog we couldd barely see five meters into and snow to make matters worse we were on the steep zig zags to the top (we didnt know that at the time). We ended up staying in the same place for forty five minutes until we heard the train and the wind calmed down. Always bring an ice axe and crampons on all of the paths but llanberis and rangers on snowdon in the winter in that same day mountain rescue had three callouts because of people in the same day (my dads mates friend works for them).
samtugwell - Feb 12, 2014 2:13 am
Worst fun everWith my wife, and a couple of friends on a suspect weather day last year. Great track, hardly saw anyone.
The scree slope at the top is a b*gger but no real problems.
Came down the ridge which runs more or less north - south, the cloud came in, visibility was poor, the rocks were slippy, it rained (poured), we walked across a marsh and finished soaked back at the car park. I loved it, my wife described it as "the worst fun ever", which has now become a standard phrase whenever she is not enjoying herself.
Would recommend this route over any oher snowdon route, though I haven't done Crib Goch. I suspect that would also be the worst fun ever for my wife.
DrJonnie - May 25, 2010 10:52 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2010
ScorchioAlthough I thought it was my first time on the Watkin Path, my memory was jogged when I saw the big slab and the Gladstone boulder. Talking with Ken today he assured me that we'd done it years ago. It must be 'old timers'.
Yesterday it was with Colin and we managed the 6 hour trip even with a stay at the top looking at the train and the hordes of tourists outside the new Cafe'. On the return leg we took the south ridge to complete a mini horseshoe and dropped down to the old tramway track before linking to the Watkin path below the old workings.
Andy_Hornung - Jul 16, 2008 5:44 pm
On a beautiful dayJuly 1990. walked up on the Watkin Path and down by Clogwyn Du path to complete the Tregalan horseshoe. Nice.
mountainmanmark - Jan 26, 2008 9:38 am
A few timesWhat I remember most about the Watkin path is the first half, walking up the valley with the beautiful river down to your right, very soothing.
Nanuls - Jun 21, 2007 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2006
Did it on my BirthdayCelebrated my birthday with a leisurely stroll up Snowdon with my girlfriend. Rained all day :(
mountainmanmark - Jan 26, 2008 9:41 am
Re: Did it on my BirthdayGood man, even taking your gf in bad weather that's commitment. . . to the mountains! Took my gf up a munro in fabulous weather, got to the top proposed, and all she goes on about that trip is all the pain she went through on the way down. She's never been up another mountain since!