The queue to stand on summit of Snowdon

A badger, apart from being a mammal from which shaving brushes use to be made, is also the name given to people who complete the Walk1000miles in a year challenge and so claim a badge and the right to be called a badger.

Today, 141 badgers converged on Llanberis for the second annual Snowdon badgers hike. That’s a lot of badgers.

In a window of fine weather between 9.30 and 4.30 we set off up the Llanberis path in an ever lengthening line for the summit 5 miles and 3,400 feet from the start. The weather yesterday was poor, tomorrow isn’t much better and it was beginning to rain in the early this evening. We were so fortunate with the weather.

Despite the Llanberis path being recognised as the easiest but longest route up Snowdon and sometimes called the most boring route, it was a very fine walk.

As you can tell, there was a queue for the compulsory selfie around the summit marker. Once again, the summit was in cloud. Of the 15 or so ascents I’ve made of this imposing mountain I’ve only had views from the top on a couple of occasions. The cloud drifted across the summit all the time we were there, sometimes closing in, sometimes a glimpse. Only 50 metres or so below the summit the views back to Llanberis and down to Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw were spectacular.

The Llanberis route is the perfect ascent for me, a heady mixture of magnificent scenery and the regular passage of trains, some the original steam locos, on their way to the summit.