“Muppets everywhere” have been criticised for their silly clothing choices while climbing Snowdon, one of the most impressive landmarks in Wales – and one of the UK’s biggest mountains.
Also known as Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon towers at 3,560ft but some of those taking on the challenge of reaching the mountain’s peak have been attacked for what they have opted to wear for the trip.
Despite the cold weather afforded around this time of the year, many have decided to attempt to reach the summit – with so many using pathways to the top that walkers have reported queues.
And people have been left surprised at the clothes some walkers wear while taking on Yr Wyddfa, North Wales Live reports. Some climbers have been seen in flip-flops and trainers. One man in shorts even wore sandals to cross Crib Coch, while holding a plastic shopping bag.
Over the years, people have been spotted climbing Yr Wyddfa in all sorts of unsuitable clothes. In winter, when Wales’ tallest mountain is covered in snow and often hidden in fog, the risks are even greater.
Already this year, climbers have seen quite a few people wearing trainers. In reality though, most had sensible shoes.
A few, aware of the conditions, were ready to turn around before reaching the top. But the climbing community has been shocked at the few who are not only risk their own lives but who are also adding to the pressure on overworked mountain rescue services.
Yr Wyddfa visitors usually peak in summer but winter is no longer just for heavily equipped and experienced climbers. A viral video shared on TikTok in February 2024 showed big queues waiting to reach the top.
The man who filmed the scene said: “When you reach the summit of the highest mountain in Wales and you’re sharing it with 3,000 people wearing trainers…”
Many people have been rescued while wearing trainers in recent years.
In 2021, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team urged people to wear suitable clothing after seeing a group climbing the mountain in high heels. In 2023, a walker was shocked when he saw a woman pushing a child in a pushchair three-quarters of the way up Llanberis Path on Yr Wyddfa.
“I’m not even joking,” the walker exclaimed.
A woman wearing leggings and sandals caused a stir when she reached the top in May 2022. She argued they were “comfortable”, but like flip flops, they are not recommended as they can lead to falls and twisted ankles.
This didn’t stop others. “I saw a few with Jesus sandals on last year (2023),” a woman posted on Facebook.
“You could tell they were townies: no coat, no drinks, not prepared at all.”
On Good Friday, a climber took a photo of thick snow at the top of Yr Wyddfa to remind himself of other people’s foolishness. He wrote on social media: “This was the top at 10am. People were in trainers and shorts, it was freezing.”
After climbing the next day, a walker noted the queues were “crazy”, and another said there were “muppets everywhere”.
This isn’t the first time people have gone ill-prepared to climb Yr Wyddfa – it’s also a problem at other popular mountains. One hiker remembered seeing men climbing Ben Nevis in office shoes last year, whereas at Yr Wyddfa, trainers and Asda carrier bags are more often seen.
Those living nearby have come to expect this. An Eryri accommodation provider noted: “Saw people heading out of Llanberis heading for the paths in shorts the other day… in the snow.”
Some frustrated climbers in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) have decided to send unprepared climbers back down themselves. This is something that has been tried on Yr Wyddfa as well.
One man explained: “I went last year in full winter conditions. I had to make people go down who hadn’t the appropriate footwear and clothing. Unbelievable. I avoid Snowdon now like the plague. Full of idiots.”
Even those who go up the mountain all kitted-out sometimes decide it’s best to turn back. On one busy Easter Saturday, Wales Air Ambulance crews were kept constantly rushing by ferrying injured people from Eryri’s mountains to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, and other hospitals.
One woman noticed them overhead. She reported: “We went up today as far as we could. We had everything thing we needed. But we decided it was too dangerous to carry on along the edge where the snow path was. After watching the mountain rescue helicopter arrive eight times, we weren’t taking any risks for that summit shot.”
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, a stalwart in the mountain rescue scene, has almost received 50 calls for aid so far this year. On Easter Friday, it issued a warning to walkers venturing into Snowdonia in North Wales, advising them to take additional precautions given the current conditions.
A message from Indy, a dog belonging to a mountain leader and serving as the team’s mascot, advised: “It’s currently very snowy, cold and wet Indy asks if you are #beadventuresmart. Before setting off, ask yourself, do I have the right equipment, do I know what the weather is like, am I confident that I have the knowledge and skills for the day?”
