JOHN MERRILL\S SNOWDON CHALLENGE WALK - 30 MILES
On my walk around the entire coastline of Britain in 1978 - 7,000
miles - I left the coast three times on the western side to climb our
three highest mountains; Snowdon was first! The idea of walking
from the sea to the top of the highest mountain in England and
Wales AND BACK, proved a compelling challenge. I therefore
decided to use this as the basis of my idea. The aim is quite simply
to ascend the mountain and return to the sea, making a 30 mile
and 5000 foot of ascent challenge walk. You traverse the moun-
tain and descend to an inn and shop before retracing the first
seven miles back to the sea.
I sat on the plan for almost two years before dashing one weekend
before Easter to do it. At first I decided to carry all the gear and
camp on the way but in the end I “went for it”, doing it all light-
weight in 10 1/2 hours. It proved to be the right decision. Leaving
Pontlyfni Just after 9.0a.m. and walking across the fields to
Lianllyfni before the slate quarries and Liyn Nantile Uchaf. All the
time ahead could seen the massif. Then it was through Beddgelert
Forest before joining the Snowdon Ranger Path. As I ascended it
sheeted with rain and snow lay around the summit. A quick bite of
chocolate before descending the Rhyd-Ddu path over Bwich Main
and downto Rhyd-Ddu. Consuming a pint of milkand another bar
of chocolate I pressed on in clearer weather back to Llyn Nantlle
Uchaf and onto Pontlyfni. I walked to the shore and let the sea
water wash around my boots before returning to the road and
car. It was now going dark at 7.30p.m.
I glowed with pride at the thought! had walked from the sea to the
summit and back - a truly great day! I hope you experience a
magnificent walk from coastal scenery to the alpine zone. May the
sun shine and the wind be at your back!
Happy walking!
A5 Placed in a plastic wrap around cover. Signed by John Merrill.
Cloth embroidered badge and signed certificate available.
Successful walkers added to the Walkers Roll of Honour page.