When we go on holiday, we always have to try and juggle activities to do with an age range of 0-16, which is becoming slightly more challenging!
On our holiday to Wales last year, the two eldest announced that they would like to climb Snowdon with dad, we had considered the train a few years before but the weather was bad and we decided against it.
I stayed at the cottage with the smaller children, whilst Xene, lochi and Asa climbed the 1085 metres!!
The three of them were up early (6.30am ,which by our standards is early on a holiday) a big breakfast, lunch packed and a short drive from the holiday cottage to Snowdon.
Xene and Lochlan happily fell back to sleep in the car, and awoke at Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon. They chose, what they read was the easiest route using the Llanberis Path , and Xene was actively involved in a little bit of route planning. North Wales on occasion can be bright and Sunny in August, but on the day they chose it was drizzle and thick mist.
- The Start of the Climb
They set off with enthusiasm past the Snowdon mountain railway station and up the path, it had just turned 8am and there was no one else about. The Children bounded with enthusiasm, they left the track and headed onto the footpath to the summit, which was clearly marked.
Perhaps a hidden benefit was the fact the visibility was 40 meters in the fog and as a result, neither of the children could actually see how far they had to climb! Over the years we have worked out if a child wants to stop, the best thing to do is to stop, they tend to recharge quite quickly, they stopped every 30 – 40 minutes, had a drink, ate, checked the map. Lochlan very proudly carrying an altimeter round his neck, to monitor upward progress.
- Rest, Eat and Drink
- More resting and more eating
They passed the halfway house cafe, a quaint little rail side building, which on better days I am sure has wonderful views across the valley, the path became more rugged and vegetation a bit sparse. The path was hard going, you really do need a good pair of boots.
It was at this point the first mentions of “can we go back now” started to occur. They stopped ate, drank, they had climbed 600 meters, and were over half way, Asa dutifully took Lochlan’s backpack. and edged toward the summit, in thick mist, the mountain railway train passed, with the passengers all waving and smiling…
- Being overtaken by the mountain train
The path got steeper, they passed 800 meters, but then suddenly it all changed.
At 863 meter precisely Lochlan went into meltdown, “That’s it, You’re Mad Dad, I am not going any further, I am going to die” and sat on a rock in the middle of the path refusing to move.
They satdown, drank, ate and chatted. Xene actually got cross with her brother, as she was desperate to get to the top. Other walkers passed and smiled politely, Lochlan sat steadfast on a rock, still full of a mix of anger and exhaustion He demanded to be carried on dad’s shoulders, this was not really an option. Time passed and eventually he agreed to go another ten meters up, Asa pulled Lochlan then they went another ten and stopped, with Asa still pulling Lochlan (which Xene found hilarious), this recharged him until they got to 900 meters (the altimeter was the surprise motivational key on the whole journey) at this point Lochlan had worked out it was 3 steps to the meter, it was not that far, and overtook Asa, whowas struggling to keep up with two teenagers bounding up the path. They reached the base of the summit and climbed the final few steps to the top.
- At the Top of the summit,
- with a bit of cloud
Both the children were really impressed, but as for the view, Asa could see the children, but not a lot further. Importantly, they both had really achieved something and we were both really proud of them. They sat on the rocks and had lunch (although Lochlan had half of Asa, having eaten everything he had at our numerous stops up the Mountain).
- Lunch, or No Lunch,
- if you have eaten it all on the way up
After a quick browse in the cafe at the top, they walked around the summit and began to descend.
Both Xene and Lochlan set off at breakneck speed, as it was now midday they passed several groups, on their way up, the clouds began to break and they could see the stunning views across Snowdonia. The children were both in high spirits laughing and joking. Lochlan counting down the altimeter, somewhat disheartening to the walkers we were passing, going uphill. He also took a great amount of glee returning to the rock he had sat on, during his meltdown at 863 meters
- on the way down Lochlan returns
- to the 863m meltdown rock, with a smile
- Dad, get up, I want an Ice Cream
They continued the path, it slowly became easier and the sun broke from the clouds, typically as they were nearing the end of the journey
- Almost back to Llanberis
On arrival back at around 3pm, both Xene and Lochlan were bursting with stories!
Our next Wales holiday will hopefully include another Snowdon trip, but with a few more walkers, as Neva and Kaide are very keen to go next time, maybe we can all go in the future, if Asa and I don’t get too old.
Wales is one of our favourite holiday destinations, ad is always top of the children’s lists when we ask them where they would like to go.
Our next Wales holiday will hopefully include another Snowdon trip, but with a few more walkers, as Neva and Kaide are very keen to go next time, maybe we can all go in the future, if Asa and I don’t get too old.
Wales is one of our favourite holiday destinations, ad is always top of the children’s lists when we ask them where they would like to go.
Tips from the Children
- Don’t take the train, its cheating (Lochlan)
- If you run out of food, eat Dads (Lochlan)
- Take sweets no one else likes, it’s nice to have a packet to yourself sometimes (Xene)
“This post is an entry for the Visit Wales #Wales4Kids Family Holiday Challenge. Wales is the perfect place for a fun-filled family break.”
One day I will walk up a mountain, but until then I can sit and read about others adventures. I’m loving the children’s tips (I’m so with Xene on the sweets front).
What a brilliant achievement well done guys. I’d love to do it one day.
Fantastic achievement, they must have been so proud of themselves, and rightly so 🙂
that is some achievement well done to you all!
What an achievement, well done!! We have visited Snowdon once before and cheated taking the train up and then walking back down!!
I said to my husband yesterday that I would like to climb Snowdown one day and he just looked at me like I’d lost the plot. Well done to them, such a great achievement.
Wow that is amazing, so glad they stuck to it and got to the top!
Well done on your achievement, Wales is gorgeous #blogclub
Congratulations to them, it’s an amazing sense of achievement when you do get to the top. I’m glad the cloud lifted for them, it’s a shame to go all the way up and not see the view.