When is the best time to climb Snowdon

Q. When is the best time of year the climb Snowdon?

Fiona ,

A. Planning a charity walk up Snowdon in October this year, looking at the PYG path as it seems like a middle of the mark walk.

Just want to no [sic] if the route is easy to follow can we do this on our own or do we need someone to show us.

Two out of the 10 going are good at map reading etc.

Any help will be great.

Marie Alexander, Luton

A. The car parking facilities around Pen Y Pas are limited and will be full very early in the mornings. They were pretty full from 6.30 am onwards on two 20 mtr visibility days that didn't clear up all day on one of our weekend trips. Lots park at the bottom of the junction between the A 4086 & A 498 on grass verges and then face an eventfull trek up the road A4086 dodging traffic. The local highways boys are at present re-setting kerbs and vergeways on the A498 so the problem is double compounded with less chance of parking that is as of "Late June 2009".

Good luck!

We have turned away on many an occasion and had a great old jolly over Glyder Fawr & Tryfan then around Llyn Ogwen etc, (Easy access at the bottom parking spots). You will always find some other range or peak to wander on within an easy drive, like grapes on a vine tree that place.

Graham Robinson, Winsford, Cheshire

A. If you are inexperienced pick a long dry summer weekday to climb Snowdon (so there is plenty of daylight, but not too many other people) that is not too hot and not too windy.

For advice on what to take with you up Snowdon see What to Take - Nutritional Requirements and What to Take - Essential Items.

For advice on what to wear on Snowdon see What to Wear - Clothing and What to Wear - Footwear for the outdoors.

Also, just in case, see Dealing with emergencies - First Aid and Incident Management for Walkers, Hikers and Ramblers

For all the best walk routes up Snowdon see Walk Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) though you might want to avoid Crib Goch on this occasion.

Hope this helps and don't forget to send us some photographs.