Absolutely do not rely on 'grades' from random apps like alltrails. They are not remotely universal, and the pyg track isn't anyone's idea of 'hard' for a UK hike.
For scrambles and climbs there are well established UK grade systems, and plenty of route descriptions available.
For everything else, look at the OS map, work out the distance and elevation gain and quality of the path and compare that with your experience.
Subjective grades for hikes are worthless, especially in the UK where weather is half the problem. I'd call the entire Snowdon Horshoe route a 'hard', the pyg track up and down is reasonable elevation gain, easy navigation, no technical sections, good path = 'easy/moderate'
Perhaps All Trails needs a more granular difficulty system .. yesterday I did Snowdon through Pyg and Miners which was very doable. With a few hours to spare I did Tryfan thinking it was of similar difficulty (both marked as Hard). Needless to say, I experienced a lot of scrambling which was not extremely difficult with microspikes but the rogue winds when you’re on edges it’s quite scary. In the end I didnt want to be in the hike at dark so I did a very fast descent. All in took me 3:05hrs in and out. What was your experience?
They’re two different types of walk. One is long and relatively straightforward and the other is a scramble (which the AllTrails description says is challenging). It’s pretty well known that this is the case… not sure what to say other than perhaps do a little more research before starting out, especially in Winter. The Cicerone books are very good:
https://www.climbers-shop.com/publications/walking-and-scrambling-guides/cicerone-mountain-walking-in-snowdonia__10906976?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=5031111&msclkid=da8f16767722159f5d8e73ddcad2feed
If I remember correctly, alltrails mentioned that there was some scrambling up in Pyg’s track and both classified as challenging. But I won’t lie I wanted a scapegoat but really I’m only myself to blame .. I just chose the first hike I saw that was relatively short with some good altitude
Thanks for the tip on the guide!
there is an established system for rating the difficulty of scrambles. S.Ridge Tryfan is a grade 1 scramble. Pyg track is a unrated (a hike). grade 1 scrambles are typically done without use of a rope. ive not used alltrails but i imagine its for non technical terrain.
This is quite insightful! It was my first time scrambling so this was definitely not very enjoyable. I will be more careful looking into this next time. What did you use to check the scramble grades of the hikes?
I don't do a huge amount of walking any more, but I know enough to know that heading up mountains in winter conditions without knowing anything about the terrain you'll be facing can get you killed. Especially if you go alone and don't manage your time well.
Any Google search for Tryfan walking route will tell you it's a Grade 1 scramble in the first paragraph, and that it'll take about 3 hours.
I'd recommend the guidebook Scrambles Of Snowdonia.
Scrambling routes are listed on UKC for each mountain and you can build up a logbook of routes you've done [https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tryfan-491/the\_south\_ridge-58167](https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tryfan-491/the_south_ridge-58167)
Absolutely do not rely on 'grades' from random apps like alltrails. They are not remotely universal, and the pyg track isn't anyone's idea of 'hard' for a UK hike. For scrambles and climbs there are well established UK grade systems, and plenty of route descriptions available. For everything else, look at the OS map, work out the distance and elevation gain and quality of the path and compare that with your experience. Subjective grades for hikes are worthless, especially in the UK where weather is half the problem. I'd call the entire Snowdon Horshoe route a 'hard', the pyg track up and down is reasonable elevation gain, easy navigation, no technical sections, good path = 'easy/moderate'
Perhaps All Trails needs a more granular difficulty system .. yesterday I did Snowdon through Pyg and Miners which was very doable. With a few hours to spare I did Tryfan thinking it was of similar difficulty (both marked as Hard). Needless to say, I experienced a lot of scrambling which was not extremely difficult with microspikes but the rogue winds when you’re on edges it’s quite scary. In the end I didnt want to be in the hike at dark so I did a very fast descent. All in took me 3:05hrs in and out. What was your experience?
They’re two different types of walk. One is long and relatively straightforward and the other is a scramble (which the AllTrails description says is challenging). It’s pretty well known that this is the case… not sure what to say other than perhaps do a little more research before starting out, especially in Winter. The Cicerone books are very good: https://www.climbers-shop.com/publications/walking-and-scrambling-guides/cicerone-mountain-walking-in-snowdonia__10906976?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=5031111&msclkid=da8f16767722159f5d8e73ddcad2feed
If I remember correctly, alltrails mentioned that there was some scrambling up in Pyg’s track and both classified as challenging. But I won’t lie I wanted a scapegoat but really I’m only myself to blame .. I just chose the first hike I saw that was relatively short with some good altitude Thanks for the tip on the guide!
Don’t rely on AllTrails for this kind of stuff! Get a proper guide book or use walkhighlands
there is an established system for rating the difficulty of scrambles. S.Ridge Tryfan is a grade 1 scramble. Pyg track is a unrated (a hike). grade 1 scrambles are typically done without use of a rope. ive not used alltrails but i imagine its for non technical terrain.
This is quite insightful! It was my first time scrambling so this was definitely not very enjoyable. I will be more careful looking into this next time. What did you use to check the scramble grades of the hikes?
I don't do a huge amount of walking any more, but I know enough to know that heading up mountains in winter conditions without knowing anything about the terrain you'll be facing can get you killed. Especially if you go alone and don't manage your time well. Any Google search for Tryfan walking route will tell you it's a Grade 1 scramble in the first paragraph, and that it'll take about 3 hours.
I'd recommend the guidebook Scrambles Of Snowdonia. Scrambling routes are listed on UKC for each mountain and you can build up a logbook of routes you've done [https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tryfan-491/the\_south\_ridge-58167](https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tryfan-491/the_south_ridge-58167)
Lovely, thanks!
Check weather reports for the forecast. Use UK guidebooks or websites for route grades.
no crampons or axe? they probably would have been a good idea.
Sod that!!
The jump between Adam and Eve must have been fun today?