[Closed] Which mountain to climb (daughters goal this year)

Tryfan is a nice one. It has easier routes and technical routes and a nice little summit challenge in Adam and Eve.

Right next to a road and near camp sites so access is great.

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If I was just going to do one mountain it'd be Ben Nevis, its a long journey but a steady walk to get to the top. You could even stop over in the lakes on you way up, Glenriding yha is handy for the road up North and half way up Helvelyn.

Start with one of the higher South Downs hills?

I second Tryfan ...

I'd go for tryfan too. Whereas some of the more obvious mountains can feel like a long walk with a gradient tryfan can actually feel like a climb, I think it gives a much better sense of achievement. Access is easy as anything and there's plentifull accommodation either in one the two nearby campsites or just back down the road a bit at the hostel or b&b's and hotels in Betws.

Could really make a long weekend of it, do a weekend scrambling course at plas y brenin, then with some new skills and a bit of extra confidence tackle one of the slightly more technical routes. Still nothing too hair raising but I can't really imagine many better introductions to British mountains.

Another vote for Tryfan, cracking hill and my favourite Welsh mountain.

Busy hill for my tastes, but it I've a good few treasured memories from being on that hill.

Tryfan has a definite proper mountain feel as opposed to just walking up a hill, but as a result it also has lots of opportunities for getting lost or taking the wrong path (even in clear weather) and finding yourself on technical ground where a bit of scrambling and a good head for heights is required.

My recommendation would be Cadair Idris from Minffordd. It's a horseshoe so an easy to follow natural route, some spectacular cliffs to see but nothing technical.

Just googled tryfan and it sounds pretty terrifying to take a teenager with no real experience up! I'm looking for some scenic hillwalking which is more a physical challenge for a layabout teen than technical challenge. Climbing or even scrambling best avoided!

Tryfan reviews seem keen to publicise the number of deaths on the mountain! Most comments relate to no obvious paths too. I'm OK with a bit of map reading but wouldn't over rate my skills!

I wouldn't do Tryfan as a first mountain, build up to it as it does involve a bit of scambling.

Start smaller and work upwards in both height and technical skills. Maybe build in some indoor rock climbing or similar to get her confident scrambling.

I was going to say I think tryfan might be the wrong choice for a first hill walk.

Have a look at y garn and the glyders, stunning scenery, not too high and a nice walk.

The easiest option is the Miners or Pyg track up Snowdon from Pen y Pass. Impossible to get lost as there'll be thousands of other people doing it too. The hardest bit is getting parked (get there early!).

If scenic hill-walking is all you're after then have a look at the Brecon Beacons.

If scenic hill-walking is all you're after then have a look at the Brecon Beacons

Do the Pen Y Fan which has a summit plate and stuff but is effectively a stroll up a big wide path, good practice for Snowdon.

Llewelyn on the other side of Tryfan might be more reasonable. This can be accessed from Rachub, just above Bethesda (no worries about parking). You have the option of making a full day of it by doing the horseshoe loop or just coming back down.

Why not Pen Y Fan, the highest most Southernly mountain?

Went right past it en route to Picws Du last Monday, is epically beautiful. Mynydd Brycheiniog/Picws Du (Black Mountain) is a fantastic ascent too, up from Llyn y Fan Fach. Feels like a world away.

My first mountain was Cader Idris, the views can be amazing and a great choice of either moderate or challenging routes to the summit.

*edit! Great minds think alike, there are two Pen Y Fans 🙂

Y Garn is sounding more like it 😀

Black mountains / Pen Y Fan is a favourite of mine for biking and Easter to get to. I know my way around there pretty well so would be an easier option, but I would be thinking bikes all the time!

have alook at moel siabod not as big/scary as tryfan but good easy scramble to the top if done from main road via farm yard can also be done from capel curig missing out any scramblin. likely to be some snow/ice about at easter?

There are loads to pick from. Maybe work out other factors like driving time and accommodation costs.

I love the lake district as I spent a lot of my teenage years walking, canoeing and other such things there. It is a fair drive though and prices of accommodation can be high.

Snowdon would seem the obvious choice. It is not particularly difficult or dangerous compared to some (although you need to take appropriate precautions). Also being the highest in Wales gives it a bit of Kudos (but makes it busy).

If I was only ever going to climb one mountain in the UK it would be Buachaille Etive Mor. It is probably the most iconic mountain in country and the tourist track is incredibly easy (I helped build it too - the track, not the mountain).

I first did Tryfan when I was 7 but my dad knew the mountain extremely well. I'd suggest Snowdon - choice of routes and good feeling of achievement.

Or the Glyders, starting from Capel?

Malvern Rider has it. There is even a scrambly route up if you want. And as a bonus, the walk over to Picws Du will give you another top or two. The Fan Hir ridge is nice, but Carreg yr Ogof is better for a circular walk. The western part of the Brecon Beacons N=national park is so much quieter and less frequented than many of the places mentioned above. This adds to the feel of the place but for some removes the security blanket they need with having others around.

Cader idris is a good day out use the path from mynford path and its a easily doable walk.

Cader Idris was my first mountain too!

Easter 2015 is in early April - you might do well to leave it until a bit later in the year, as there will very likely be snow and ice at the top of any 3000' mountain in the UK - certainly Snowdon - so potentially ice-axe & crampons!

If you leave it until May, Y Garn is a good call as is Moel Siabod. Proper mountains with a proper top; straightforward, short approach, and (with Y Garn, especially) a good sense of height.

Either that, or just do Snowdon to say you've done it.

IMHO save Tryfan until she's ready to enjoy it properly.

The Glyders are just flat and stony on top, so they don't feel like I think a mountain should.

If you are gluttons for punishment, try Pen Yr Ole Wen 😉

You are spoilt for choose really. But I think it should not be physically to demanding as we are presumably hoping she'll ask again

Suggestions include

Cat Bells. Really easy but really exciting. Done it so often with so many people and it gives so much for the effort. I'd start in Keswick and get the boat across as its even more of an adventure. If she jogs to the top in 30 minutes then just carry on up the ridge to add more

The lakes is full of great Peaks but the langdale Pikes aren't that big and the Old Man of Coniston is achievable

In North Wales we really enjoyed Cnicht which is a Catbells like classic

Or the less well known Mynydd Mawr which had brilliant views on the way up

IMHO the Mountains of South Wales never did it for me in my teenage years

Tryfan is not a good choice for first mountain - due respect to others that have suggested it - I'm not great with heights and it's not one I fancy.

Snowden is a good choice for a first mountain, it will be busy at the top and there is a cafe which has pros and cons, not really "wild". A few straightforward routes inc Lanberis path or more interesting Pygg Trail and Miners Path (up one down the other). As above Pen Y Fan is accessible and you can take some good routes up all fairly easy. So many great choices in the Lakes but I suggest you leave those as a "carrot" if she enjoys the first walk.

I did Tryfan easily on my first go, and I thought it was an interesting route. However, I'm capable, confident and fit. My wife didn't much enjoy it for her first go.. especially the bit where you have to climb down into a gulley with a rather lofty viewpoint.

It would be suitable for SOME first timers, but not your daughter by the sound of it!

You could try Cadair Idris perhaps. Very scenic, and the main route is mostly rideable on the bike (down) so should be doable on foot whilst still feeling like a challenge. Quite a lot of effort for the unfit though.

A smaller mountain is Moel Siabod - only a little clambering involved. It was where we used to go in school for a first timers outing.

I was going to say I think tryfan might be the wrong choice for a first hill walk.

Y Garn and Moel Siabod agreed.

But go for the drive and Blencathra via halls fell

The Rhinogs (peaks in the s. or n. end), The Arrans (the ridge), The Berwens, Cadir Idris. If you are set on Snowdonia then go for the Nanttle Ridge as a there and back - one of my favorite days out.

I really would not go for Tryfan.

Forgot to mention, the tiny (roofed) stone mountain refuge on Cadair Idris has always afforded us a welcome breather - everything from baking sun to horizontal winds and rain (even rain going upwards!) - that is a definite plus point if you want a (even if normally damp) sit and a cuppa out of the elements, and often a breezy chinwag with other walkers. Being essentially coastal it does seem to have very changeable weather, which can add to the adventure and draw on safety/endurance skills. Last ascent I managed to roll six inches of skin off my shin during a stupid slip on a sharply-stepped rock - so the refuge came in handy to assess and carefully re-dress the wound away from the winds.

Bit further afield, but how about Mount Teide?

Easter 2015 is in early April - you might do well to leave it until a bit later in the year, as there will very likely be snow and ice at the top of any 3000' mountain in the UK - certainly Snowdon - so potentially ice-axe & crampons!

tryfan was my first mountain too actually, didn't put me off but it did one of my mates - he wouldn't do any more hills with us after that

Like others have said, Tryfan is a great mountain, but possibly a bit too much for a first timer without guidance. I'd probably agree with Moel Siabod ridge, Cnicht or alternative ways up Snowden as being challenges which finish on what appear to be 'proper' mountain summits. The advantage with Snowden is that if she wants to tell people about her challenge, they might have heard of it, might actually be impressed, which might motivate her to really go for it.

Black Mountain (Mynydd Du) last Monday, looking at Fan Brycheiniog (2,631ft). There were a good number of families tackling the Western approach and the snow was seemingly no bother, although it was only half an inch thick. My first ever visit and it was a hit. Wild and quite stunningly beautiful.

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If I was doing one mountain and I lived in the South coast, I'd do Ben Nevis but travel up on the Caledonian Sleeper. Leave London in the evening and you're in Fort William for 10am. You could get the Ben done before getting the return train at 7pm, or stay up longer and do some of the nicer hills in the area too.

Easter too early though, there will be a good snow cover up top until late spring (although a patch remains year round too)

Snowdon sounds ideal to me. Nice scenery, easy walk, and it's the biggest mountain in England. Got to be more appealing as a goal to some one not outdoorsy, rather than a hill they haven't heard of.

Just go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Yet another vote for Tryfan. It's a great scramble with no walk-in and not dangerous and the views are spectacular. If you go down through Cwm Idwal The route off the summit is easy and gentle for a non-mountaineer and you finish at the tea shop. You don't need route-finding skills, you just start at the road and follow the ridge up to the summit and down the other side. In cloud it could be a little daunting but in clear weather it's easy. There is no "trail" to follow because it's all rock and there are numerous ways up it.

If you don't like the idea of easy scrambling (so enjoyable though!) I'd recommend Moel Siabod as a nice easy walk. Snowdon is too big for someone with no mountain fitness, she will be intimidated and absolutely knackered.

Snowdon sounds ideal to me. Nice scenery, easy walk, and it's the biggest mountain in England.

Yet another vote for Tryfan. It's a great scramble with no walk-in and not dangerous

I'm sure the local mountain rescue will thank you for promoting it as such

[url= http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2014/11/30/investigation-may-be-needed-after-man-airlifted-in-33rd-tryfan-rescue ]link[/url]

Whilst I've taken complete novices up Tryfan and been fine, I've also had people freak out once they have got past Bwlch Tryfan and started the scrambling bit to the summit after the pretty easy path from the car park at Cwm Idwal.

To my mind it's a very 'mountain' type climb and if there's any doubt about ability to scramble, or deal with the feeling of exposure I'd give it a miss.

Still well worth a visit to the area though, Moel Siabod is a nice one to do, or if it's a clear day the walk up past Llyn Idwal, up Twyll Du onto the Glyders is pretty nice. I've done it probably dozens of times and I still enjoy it, especially with relative newcomers to mountain walking as it feels so special a place.

Or the less well known Mynydd Mawr which had brilliant views on the way up

This would be my choice as there's always something to look at and its not just a big lump, walking past the lake with the ruined church and the tree growing inside and then up through the slate mines and the rewarding views down the valley. Not a technical climb but something different round every corner. It's where I take people who want to walk up a mountain who would get bored on the bigger slogs.

Moel Hebog could be another contender, easy walk up and great views IIRC.

I'd worry that your daughter would feel short-changed by the Brecons or Black Mountains tbh, well worth the extra journey to Snowdonia.

Will you be doing a weekend? Could start with something easier and have another route in reserve for the next day if it goes well.

Be sure to introduce her to British mountaineering with a weekend in the PYG and a few beers in the Everest bar.

I don't know Wales brilliantly, but if you're thinking about Snowdon then consider the less popular paths - South Ridge, Rhyd Ddu and the Rangers Path. Much, much quieter than the tourist paths, and the South Ridge in particular has some gorgeous views.

Aran Fawddwy is very good - but more of a long walk than a climb and better in dry conditions,

Cadair Idris from Minffordd is the classic - a walk of many changes - with the hidden valley and lake halfway up.

Great Gable (from honister if shorter is better). Some of the best views in the Lakes.

Moel Siabod.

You don't need route-finding skills, you just start at the road and follow the ridge up to the summit and down the other side

Snowdon via the PYG track from Pen Y Pass isn't particularly big. The South Ridge is excellent, I've often done it as a descent after the Watkin path. Both of these are reasonably quiet too which is more than can be said of the summit - a hateful place, especially on a Bank Holiday.

I agree Moel Siabod is a fine hill especially by the east ridge which is scrambly, but in a fun, no exposure, no danger sort of way. The views from the top would certainly please a photographer.

Moel Hebog? A very old guide book I had once (cost me 3 shillings) described it as a "thankless grind". I did it. Once. It was.

OK here's an outlier which I wouldn't put on a walking forum - wouldn't want it getting too popular. Elidir Fawr. See http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/1453/

It's an absolute cracker which I've done a couple of times in full on winter conditions. Fabulous views down to Ogwen and across the Llanberis pass if the weather is good. I would only recommend it to a beginner in good dry weather though.

This would be my choice as there's always something to look at and its not just a big lump, walking past the lake with the ruined church and the tree growing inside and then up through the slate mines and the rewarding views down the valley. Not a technical climb but something different round every corner. It's where I take people who want to walk up a mountain who would get bored on the bigger slogs.

Interesting we went up over Foel Rudd. I'll have to try your route

I think this is the classic Moel Siabod route
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This thread is making me want to dust off my walking boots.

They are very dusty.

Cadair Idris from Minffordd is the classic - a walk of many changes - with the hidden valley and lake halfway up.

^^^^+10. My favourite as a kid. Such a great variety of views, sounds, smells, sensations and challenges. Is that flat marshy campsite still at Minffordd?

This thread is hilarious, besides a couple of posts questioning the wisdom of climbing major peaks in April next to nobody has bothered finding out the age and fitness of the daughter involved.

No wonder so many people come to grief.

My advice - forget the mountains just now and start building up to it with some hillwalking. Starting with a mountain is the equivalent of sending a novice up the Nevis gondola and telling them to get on with it when they get to the trailhead. Once she has a bit of stamina and knows what to expect then she'll be fine and you get to climb some mountains in the summer when you're [i]less[/i] likely to find snow, cloud cover, pissing rain or any of the other fun things that roll in within minutes. By building up to it she's more likely to enjoy herself rather than hating every minute of it once it starts getting remotely strenuous.

I think you could assume that her dad will be the best judge of dughters level of fitness etc.

Yes. But with no information forthcoming how can anyone give suitable advice? That's my point.

Living on the s.coast and the op's daughter not being the outdoors'y type Pen-y-fan is the obvious choice.
It's a nice moderatly challenging walk with glorious scenery. It's also the highest peak in the South of Britain.

@FunkyDuck - Snowden is the higest mountain in Wales. Scafell Pike is the highest moubtain in England

OP As above Pen Y Fan and perhaps a walk along beach at Rhossili and back via the ridge path above the beach. Very scenic

I'd worry that your daughter would feel short-changed by the Brecons or Black Mountains tbh

I dunno.. The view from Pen y Fan is pretty spectacular, and if you've never climbed a mountain it'll impress.

If Scafell Pike is the highest in England at 3210 feet which nearby mountain/fell is 1234 feet? Lakes riders should know this as a classic route goes close nearby!?!

Pen Y Fan, view is lovely and if you look down the steep side thats impressive enough, don't fall/get blown off though people have died ! Will try and post up some photos if I can get my flickr account to work

and if you've never climbed a mountain it'll impress.

You might have trouble convincing her that it's actually a mountain though. Although it easily meets the classification it just looks like a big hill, even more so when you're walking it, it's just an exercise in endurance there's very little to excite you about Pen Y Fan.

I'd still stick with North Wales even if you decide that Tryfan isn't suitable. There are so many other great peaks in the area, often with multiple routes of varying difficulty. Snowdonia just feels more like an adventure, it looks spectacular, has a massive number of potential routes so allows for weather/fatigue induced change of plan. I think it's the place most likely to capture the imagination of anyone with a new found interest in the outdoors.

Interesting we went up over Foel Rudd. I'll have to try your route

later today ill get the car park to start from and rough route outline

If pick s random weekend in May and go do cat bells. If it's clear you get wonderful views and it's easy yet rewarding. Around any public holiday the lakes is as likely to be as busy as Wales in my experience. You can wal there from Keswick. Go up the end and down the eastern flank and get the derwent launch back to Keswick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrauntoohil

Highest peak in Ireland, easy reach of kerry airport

If you want an easy walk up on a simple path, then Skiddaw easily meets the requirements. Can drive about half way up as well. As it stands out from any thing else the views can be stunning.

Cadair Idris has everything you require, looks and feels like a proper mountain, spectacular views, challenging but not too committing, never as busy as the Lakes or main parts of Snowdonia. Coniston Old Man would come a close second. Forget Ben Nevis for now, the tourist route is little more than a soul less slog up a zig zag scree path for the main part and could easily demotivate a newcomer.

the Moelwyn route. There are probably loads online that take you on past the summit but you need a pick-up at the other end.

Dropped pin
near 18 Cwmorthin Rd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41
[url=Dropped pin near 18 Cwmorthin Rd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 http://goo.gl/maps/M1Eqi ]http://goo.gl/maps/M1Eqi[/url]

Carpark is the end of this road for the Moelwyn Mawr walk. Park there and follow the track with the lake on your right and the ruined church on your left, the path takes a sharp left up through the slate then follow your nose up through the abandoned slate works and head up the disused inclines. On the map you can see 2 huge mine holes, walk past them and you hit the ridge line where you turn right up to the summit. You can carry on down the other side but I usually turn back and go down to the plateau where the slate works are and follow the disused trackway to the head of Croesor valley to admire the view (if the weather is good).
It's an easy route to follow as you can't really go to far off as its a well trodden path, if you look at a map my rubbish instructions will make sense.

Edit: found this really good blog post that tells you lots about the walk up through the slate mines.
[url= http://robinsonmaps.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mighty-rhosydd-on-slopes-of-moelwyn.html ]http://robinsonmaps.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mighty-rhosydd-on-slopes-of-moelwyn.html[/url]

And this pic of the view down the valley

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there's very little to excite you about Pen Y Fan

The view.. Plus it's still a thing. Depends on the daughter's age.

[s]Snowden[/s] [b]Snowdon[/b] is the highest mountain in [b]England and[/b] Wales. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England

FTFY

This is a map of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue incidents from a couple of years ago. Tryfan is bottom right, near the yellow road:

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I've taken keen novices up there both via Bwlch Tryfan and the North Ridge. These popular routes are (IMHO) by far the easiest on the mountain. Many seeming benign paths down from the ridge end suddenly at the top of steep, often slippery rock. I would bet that the majority of incidents on the map above are due to that reason - walkers who have got lost and crag-bound. IMHO it's not somewhere to venture unless you are *sure* of the route (or are with somebody who is), however it is a fantastic place.

walkers who have got lost and crag-bound

"...On the one hand we had a young walker in [b]jeans, plimsolls and a leather jacket[/b] rapidly succumbing to hypothermia, on the other a responsibility not to put team members' lives in such serious danger. There was a real possibility that we might have been forced to leave him there on the mountain.

^That in itself beggars belief.

"I'm certain that if we hadn't found him when we did we would have been recovering his body the next morning."

I really don't doubt it. It would have been a tough night for the best equipped. The weather last night, even at sea level, was foul.

Hats off to the MRT - they definitely saved a life there.

Hopefully gave him a good kicking for their bother...

Haystacks and then up to Great Gable and then down the blacksail is a cracking walk. And you can camp in Buttermere which is just lovely. Also in the lakes, Sunday Crag, gives you a cracking view across the valley to Helvellyn.

Cader Idris is a stonker though, I love that mountain, also if she has read any of the dark is rising books its kinda cool. In south wales i think the brecons take a lot of beating for nice straight forward walks with soaring views. I'd say maybe head west to Llyn fan fach as thats just pretty and a pretty straight forward walk.

Dammit, typing this from a desk in a baking hot flat sandy perth is making me homesick.

How about a baby (only-just-a) mountain like Kinder Scout in the dark Peak District?

Not too far a trek, accessible, still a bit of a challenge and has a nice flat plateau top to have your sandwiches on. Possibly even walk across the top to kinder falls or whatever it's called!

If you want the mountain bug to catch hold, then it's got to feel like a mountain, with some exposure and drama.
As a kid, of the stuff that my parents dragged me up, the memorable ones usually had a wild feeling about them.
Stuff like:
Helvellyn via Striding & Swirral Edges
Snowdon Horseshoe via Cryb Goch
Blencathra via Sharp Edge