pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

So, after months of small time night walks and getting back to nature (no torches) we're going to do Snowdon tonight.

Not ******* ..

Got all my stuff ready and really looking forward to it, have a selection of torches in case things get too dark but hoping not to use them. Takes 30 minutes for your eyes to gain "night vision" and it's a great feeling being emerged in nature.

Expecting winds of -11 and fog, so should be awesome

Anyone else tried mountain / hill walking at night.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

oh, if I don't post again, it means I died.. I'm sure that will come as a relief to some

^Qwerty^

Do you take a red torch as well?

Matteeboy

Do be careful; I properly bricked it there on the knife edge ridge and that was on a dry, sunny day. But enjoy; sounds fun (I think)!

I've done night exercises on the Beacons and in the Highlands (pretend Army stuff) and plenty of night trail running but not up a proper mountain!

ScoobyNoob79

I've done quite a few night hikes including Snowdon via Crib Goch, at this time of year most of the summits will have snow, also the forecast is pretty dire. Lows of -1, very bad visibility, lots of rain and gusts of upto 76mph.

Make sure you have multiple spare torches, map, compass, GPS, emergency bivi bag and most of all make sure you know what you're doing and you know you're route. Also text 'register' to 999 which will allow you to use the emergency SMS service when your signal is not good enough for a call and/or only roaming available.

I've done the full Snowdon horseshoe about 16 times now and it's a whole different ball game at night.

I've also helped quite a few people off various mountains that have been ill equipped or have become crag fast.

Willowsdad

iTrader: (2)

A couple of friends were planning to climb snowdon for New Year's Eve, but said it's closed. Must just be so the emergency services can have a hassle free night on the raz! Good luck, that's going to be bloody cold and windy!

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, not doing Crib (did it in the day and it's amazing) due to the winds at the moment, not quite safe

Awesome advice, I have everything covered from your list

We've been doing the night walking in Wales for a while now, so being out at night is familiar, also expecting the cold, so have thermals, base layer, thick layer and water proof layer, body, legs and head, including clear glasses.

Head torches have red lights included and spares are 1800 LM. Fog is the biggest worry, but the Pyg path is pretty simple to follow, and at the end of the day, if in doubt, we head down.

ScoobyNoob79

What route are you doing? Pen-y-Pass > Pyg > Snowdon and back?

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

crib goch in the dark at this time of year would require some unfeasibly large gonads!!!

ScoobyNoob79

I've done Crib this time last year, much fun!

ScoobyNoob79

This was Crib Goch in bad weather in the daytime, listen carefully, you can just about hear the woman crying who I helped off, they were cragfast.

http://d.pr/v/rKnA (wait for it to load)

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

That's the plan

I'd be up for it, but we have some newer walkers in the group, they need to do it in the day first and as I said the wind is a bit off putting.

We did it in the Snow last year, was pretty good.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

In fact, that wasn't last year .. not yet

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Not being able to see the drops takes the fun out of it

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Be safe mate.

ScoobyNoob79

Haha yeah, the 60-70mph gusts made it fun

ScoobyNoob79

I love the clarity of winter hikes, the views are spectacular.

I'm actually doing my Mountain Leader and Mountain First Aid at Plas-y-Brenin this summer then applying for Llanberis MRT.

Maybe we should arrange an SNET hike/wild camp in 2014!

Matteeboy

Agreed - I was utterly bricking it here and this was in sunshine…

ScoobyNoob79

Haha, Crib Goch isn't that bad, I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. Once you've done it a few times it becomes second nature.

Turbohot

Good luck with your adventure, but be careful, Pimmo. Never mind walking on Snowdon in such weather, getting stuck while driving on foggy Llangollen horse shoe pass was enough for me to realise that I very much prefer to be alive.

Enjoy it, and stay with friends, if you've got any on the walk with you. Don't wander off by yourself with your compass. Do take traditional compass, not the Satnav, though. I know people who used Satnav for such expeditions walked and walked and walked, and ended up on the North Pole when they were looking for North Wales.

Good luck, again.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Totally agree, but I've never understood the fear when on the ground, the mountain has been there for millions of years, it's not going to move

I did have a video of me running the knife edge, with my friend behind me and his go pro, but I can't find it ..


Hoping I don't get that lost but thanks

andylinney

I live just over the Menai Bridge and you wouldn't get me up there for a big brass clock today. You can't see the mountains today from the island today but yesterday there was a fair bit of snow on the tops yesterday. Take care and plenty of the proper equipment to keep you safe.

If nothing else im just being selfish, the SAR SeaKing always wakes my son up as it flies over the house.

Stay safe.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Weather looks to be calming down by this evening, but thanks, I'll try not to get stuck.

sweden

iTrader: (2)

Youve probably done it but just incase dont forget to register your route with departure time and expected return time, so they know where to start looking in an emergency, have fun used to love mountains at night

ScoobyNoob79

Done that

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Excellent

Register? I've told the wife, does that count ?

ScoobyNoob79

No, she'll tell MRT that you'd planned to go for a week

ScoobyNoob79

If you plan to wild camp, remember, taking a 'fat bird' only makes your ruck sack heavy!

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Is this a traditional type thing to do? Hike up mountains on the 30th December? Fair play though, you'd never get me up there!

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Not really, it's an all year round thing ..


Anyone know if I can park at the start of the pyg track at night ?