Our first full day in Wales was hiking up Mt. Snowdon. The weather was perfect. Sunny skies, cool air and excellent visibility. I brought my trusty backpack, hiking boots and trekking poles that accompanied me last year in Spain during our Camino de Santiago. Although Mt. Snowdon is the second highest peak in the United Kingdom, it is only 3,650 feet above sea level. How challenging could this hike be when I’ve hiked to the summit of several Colorado mountains exceeding 14,000 feet elevation? My house in Colorado sits at about 6,000 feet. How hard could this be? Learning that Sir Edmund Hilary trained on Mt. Snowdon for his historic climb of Mt. Everest didn’t dissuade me from thinking this was going to be that big of a challenge. Funny how life is always teaching me how perilous it can be when I take something, anything, for granted!
After leaving the trailhead, I was immediately reminded of my best mate’s sage advice last year regarding training for our pilgrimage hike across northern Spain. The 6 Ps. Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. When Nancy, Andrea, Heike and I reached Santiago de Campostela, we had well developed “walking legs.” After returning to Colorado from Spain, I have done precious little training. An occasional 3 to 5 mile walk with Nancy but that’s about it. As I result, I’ve gained weight and have declined measurably in the “fitness” scale. Taking my body for granted always comes with a price tag when I act like I’m still in my 20’s. I soon found out that this 61 year old body doesn’t recover like it used to!
Mt. Snowdon may not be as high as the Colorado Rockies but it is plenty challenging. The trail is very easy to follow as it is well traveled but it does have several, steep segments that will accelerate one’s heart rate and burden one’s breathing. It is also a 6 mile hike to the summit of near continuous elevation gain. 3,000+ feet elevation gain is still a challenge whether it is in Colorado, the Appalachian Mountains or Snowdonia in Wales. Don’t take anything for granted!
The same person, Carl, who taught me the 6 Ps last year was at my side today. He is intentional about his training, whether it’s riding his road bike, working out on his rowing machine, walking with his lovely wife, Marion, or eating healthy. He’s mindful of the 6 Ps. I am not. Two years ago while on a Southwestern USA holiday, Carl and I made a bet that we’d lose weight and get in shape. At a popular micro brewery in Durango, Colorado we each bought a biking shirt for our training rides. Carl’s biking shirt is now too big for him. Mine? I can barely squeeze it on.
Now back to Mt. Snowdon in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. As we ascend this mountain my breathing is increasingly becoming more labored. In the meantime, Carl is carrying on a regular conversation with me as if we’re as relaxed as two mates sharing a pint at the local pub. Marion and Nancy are actually ahead of us most of the way. The scenery is spectacular with the valleys and lakes below splashed with sunlight while the sheep are lazily grazing on the steep mountain sides, the passenger train carrying tourists up the mountain while at least a hundred hikers are either ascending or descending the summit.
The path is very rocky. Flat rocks configured as steep steps followed by loose rocks constantly testing the flexibility of your ankles then stretches of worn down earth only to be repeated by more steep steps, loose rocks and feet pounded earth. This is turning out to be a not so trivial a hike! As we get closer to the summit our narrowing trail is more exposed and the wind and cold is reminding us all that this is a “proper” mountain and that she will not relinquish her summit so easily.
After three hours hiking a little more than 6 miles we reach the summit! By now, the wind is biting cold. The summit is surprisingly small, maybe about 10 to 12 feet diameter. I have always had a very healthy fear of heights and standing at the summit marker and looking out along the spectacularly breathtaking panoramic views, I start feeling wobbly knees. Time for me to descend! On a clear day from this vantage point, one can see Wales, England, and Ireland. I took a quick picture, Carl took a quick two pictures for me and before you knew it, I was carefully negotiating the steep steps descending the summit. We’re only half way back to our starting point so now we get to walk the 6 mile path in the opposite direction.
For me, descending a mountain summit is every bit as challenging as ascending that mountain. I really need to concentrate on each step to ensure I have secure footing and keeping my balance. There is also a different workout of my muscles going down. Instead of my lungs and thighs that seem to be the focus when hiking upward, my knees, tendons, cartilage and muscles around my knees along with my feet seem to taxed the most.
About halfway down the mountain we stop at the only available cafe where we ravenously devour an oatmeal energy bar and a cup of tea. It could not have been more delicious! It took us 2 hours to reach the trailhead for a total of 5 hours of hiking the more than 12 mile round trip.
I hope that I will be up to backpacking with Nancy and Heike from Cologne to Aachen 11 days from now!