Lap one took in the summit; lap two was a bit wider in scope.

Snowdon Laps

Written by Haydn Williams

Another Friday afternoon run, this time leaving Pen-y-Pass at 15:30 and just having time to get over Y Lliwedd and Snowdon before it got dark. Despite horrible cloud further east, it cleared up nicely as I got to the car park and I had a fantastic (and hot!) run over the summits above the clouds. Bliss.

Looking good on the way up the Miner's Path. © Haydn Williams 2016
Looking good on the way up the Miner’s Path. © Haydn Williams 2016
Oh yeah! Summit of Lliwedd Bach; the route ahead behind me. © Haydn Williams 2016
Oh yeah! Summit of Lliwedd Bach; the route ahead behind me. © Haydn Williams 2016
Topping out on the Watkin Path, back into the sunshine. © Haydn Williams 2016
Topping out on the Watkin Path, back into the sunshine. © Haydn Williams 2016
Greeted by a cracking view. © Haydn Williams 2016
Greeted by a cracking view. © Haydn Williams 2016
Looking north to Moel Eilio et al. © Haydn Williams 2016
Looking north to Moel Eilio et al. © Haydn Williams 2016
Trinity Face of Snowdon. Soggy. © Haydn Williams 2016
Trinity Face of Snowdon. Soggy. © Haydn Williams 2016
Sunset over Anglesey down the Llanberis Pass. © Haydn Williams 2016
Sunset over Anglesey down the Llanberis Pass. © Haydn Williams 2016

After a night in Plas Curig, I had a leisurely start for day two. After the previous day’s shenanigans at height (8 miles, 1050m ascent), I knew that I really needed some distance to get me in better shape for the year’s upcoming races. I duly ticked this box with a loop around the bottom of Snowdon (ish) from Pen y Gwryd.

Sunday's wider loop of Snowdon.
Sunday’s wider loop of Snowdon.

I was quite happy until Llanberis, and was fuelled from there to Nant Peris by great Welsh cakes and lemonade from Pen-y-Ceunant Isaf. The wheels fell off somewhat after that, although I did spend quite a long time staring at Dinas Cromlech after (I’m ashamed to admit) seeing it for the first time in my life. How it’s taken me so long to spot it is beyond me, but what an amazing bit of rock! I watched two guys finish Cemetery Gates, and then slogged the rest of the way up the pass to Pen-y-Pass and finally back to the car. I definitely ticked the “distance” box at 35km, but inadvertantly hit “climb” too, at 1275m of ascent. So I didn’t feel too bad about slowing down on the last bit!