First Mountain Summit
I won't bore you with the unabridged pre amble, but the summary is partner got me into walking 5 years ago. On our first walking date, I was wearing jeans and trainers with a hole in the bottom that I'd duct taped. We went up Mam Tor. She unlocked something that had lain dormant for a number of years (too many) and my sense of adventure was rekindled. Most of our adventures have been together but at the weekend I found myself going up Snowdon on my own. This time, wearing trail shoes. No duct tape!
I started out a couple of minutes after 6 in the morning after work colleagues had warned me about the summit queues the day before. I started just behind a couple of large groups and I was still trying to drink my brew and eat breakfast when I hit the first incline and my first mistake. 3 steps up and I was already thinking I wasn't going to make it as it was way steeper, way earlier than anticipated! I rushed to finish my brew and food while trying to collapse with the burden of having to breathe at the same time so I could get my poles into action as quick as possible.
I'd gone past the groups by this point (I tend to walk fast but require more rest) and was happy following the path. It then occurred to me that I hadn't let anyone know what I was doing and that that would be responsible, so I texted my friend, ensured he realised I wasn't joking and he promised to check in with me later. Feeling quite chuffed that I'd let someone know I was on Snowdon in case I lost the path (the BEGINNERS path), I then realised, while my head was down texting, I'd lost the path. I missed the left turn with the massive rock and sign saying "This way idiot!". Second mistake!
So I ended up at the hose at the end of the track when the track stopped and having overtaken the groups thought for about 20 seconds that this must be where the path goes, before realising it didn't and Id gone wrong. I couldn't face going back so early so I turn 90 degrees left and set off up through the very steep and very marshy field, cross referencing with my phone to see that I was headed towards the rail track, knowing the path was on the far side. That climb took quite a lot out of me and obviously I was nervous Id messed up several ways, but felt better once I reached the railway and the path. I shortly overtook someone for the second time so I realised that where Id ended up going certainly wasn't faster!
I had to undo my hip belt and sternum straps because I needed to get more air my lungs after the impromptu climb and had recovered just in time for the some steps. Whether it was because I was more knackered than I should be at this point (plus bad nights sleep in a car) I don't know, but I found this the hardest section although this was the first point where the fog would briefly dissipate to give me a glimpse of the landscape.
About halfway up here I exchanged a few words with another solo walker who made sure I was ok and had enough water (I did!). And they asked if I needed them to wait for me while I had my existential crisis while sat on a rock thinking that Id made a big mistake thinking I was ready for this. When I pulled myself together, I made it up another few rocks before needing to rest again, but I tried to use the other walker as a pace setter, not to be competitive with them, but just to try and snap myself out of resting for too long. After a couple more stops, i reached the top of that section and went under the railtrack and onto the cliff beyond and that's really when I first started seeing what this caper was all about.
There's views, and there's views. Wow! Something about the lack of safety net and fences and seeing that fantastic view up above the white fog filled me with some profound emotion I'd not felt before.
The right turn and climb up the next bit I found the second hardest but at least I could shuffle if I needed because it was a consistent incline instead of the rocky steps. Continued the bungee conversation with the solo climber as we'd pass each other when one was resting and started the same thing with 3 girls who were heading up for their first ascent too.
Then the going got easier as it felt flattened a little and started chatting with a chap who wasn't going to the top but heading off down to the left. The fog had moved away again and I saw the world had fallen away on both sides but the view on the left was surreal. The only ground looked further away than anything Id seen save from an aeroplane. I could not work out how my recent companion was going to "head this way" without wings!
I was tired at this point but the various chats and camaraderie (and someone playing some ABBA out loud) had got me this far. Then, I saw the trig and the adrenalin rushed in. No way was I not making it now after what Id already done. The going was tricky here although not steep. It was those vertical slices of rock that made up part of the path at the bottom that I found a little tricky to navigate, but I made it to the final steps and other groups of conquerors I was set to join.
Even the trig itself was an experience. I'd never seen anything like it on the hills Id been on. Already on top of the clouds and then a spiral staircase, still further into nothing but air! I climbed up and slapped my hand down on that trig very very happy and very very proud.
Then time for a status update text to my friend and a brew before setting off back down again.
I tried my best to be the downhill walker Id wanted to meet when I was struggling to get up so I tried to move out the way where possible, give information about the incoming steepness and eta to those who asked and when I saw a solo hiker sat on a rock at roughly the same point I had, I told him I'd done the same thing 2 rocks lower down and tried to encourage him. I hope he got to see the same views I did and feel the same things I did.
Got back down just after 11 and I found the second hardest part down was the hardest part up and the hardest part down was the start! Whether that was because joints were seizing up or the poles weren't as good on tarmac I don't know.
I hope the fog cleared for all the uphillers I met on the way down that asked about it because I'm 50 and that was my first mountain, but it won't be my last
🗻