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The lad and me have always fancied riding up to catch sunrise on snowdon and looking to do it in a couple of weeks.
Any thoughts on timings ? ie if we camp somewhere the evening before, what sort of time would you look to leave ?
I'm thinking ride up, sunrise and breakfast, ride down to be back well before 10.
Around this time 2018 I went up Cader Idris to watch the sunset-moonrise-sunrise*
Took a sleeping bag and camping pillow in a small backpack, along with water and a tin of mackerel for breakfast! The sun still rises pretty early this time of year* so you’ll either be ascending in the dark at stupid o clock or having a camp somewhere on the mountain the night before.
* Around 5am when you plan to travel
Note: I only managed 2 out of 3 as I slept over, waking at 6:15 and the sun was well up by then. So you may be better off getting a really early sleep the night before and getting to the start of your climb 40mins or so earlier than time estimated to make the summit by 5am just to be sure/relaxed about it.
Not sure where to camp yet but the plan being ascend at stupid o'clock.
Might just rough it in the car or if we can find a decent spot, bivvy for the evening.
Wait til winter and go for sunset. Much easier and looks the same 🙂
I've done a few early morning runs up Snowdon and I either sleep in the car - parked without issue at Padarn Country Park car park or used the bivvy and slept at Dolbadarn Castle which is 200 metres from the car park.
I live about 3 miles from the start and it takes a good chunk of tume to get up to the summit. You are higher and get an earlier sunrise. Its light for ages before the sun itself is visible. You will probably have to start in the dark but a ton of the path is rideable with only Allt Moses and Allt Goch pushing.
Have fun!
Thanks All,
So how long do you reckon it takes up Llanberis path ? We'll come down the ranger path.
About 1hr 45min- 2hr up. The walking bit is tough and a bit less than a mile in length.
Rangers the Telegraph road is a great way down.
Ian
I'd head up at 2am but still expect it to be getting light when you get to to the top.
Did it 3rd week of september last year, started walking up the pyg track about 4am and only just made it for sunrise. Mind you, it was a beautifully clear day so it was getting light for a while.
If you get the weather for it then hands down one of the most rewarding things you'll do, its amazing.
Bet on 3 hours up. You'll probably do it in 2.5. Done it a few times and whilst the fittest could do it much faster I think willy-wavers like to say it takes much less than that.
Sunrise is 5 at the moment - and you want to be there a fair bit earlier if you don't want to arrive when it's already light.
As your nights sleep is gubbed anyway, go up for sunset and sunrise!.
I rode it last year, here is my route.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2752458774
It took me 1hour 28mins from the gate to the top and I stopped a few times to admire the scenery. As has been said, it's all rideable apart from the one section that is obviously a hike a bike section!
It was a great ride, most enjoyable.
It's worth the trip!
You can ride up after curfew on the day before and maybe bivy at the Clogwyn station, if its allowed it may offer some shelter from the wind. From there it's a bit of a push up the steep slope but once you get past that the rest is rideable.