Open Three Peaks Challenge Series 2009

tahoepatrol · Three Peaker Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 12

Will the teams be climbing via the Miners Track or PYG Track on the day or is the subject to change?

I had a go at the Miners Track on Sunday and whilst the climb as a whole was very easy, there is a steep climb at the foot of Glaslyn tarn to join the PYG track and I don't fancy that bit at all after Scafell and the Ben!!

I assume the PYG track would be better for a more gradual ascent but as I haven't yet done it i'm not really sure.

Chris

mlees · One Peaker Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Marlow

Hi Chris,

Richie replied to me clarifying details for Scafell and mentioned Snowdon. He said that we will take the Miners Track in the first instance. If the weather is good, teams might be allowed to opt for the Pyg Track.

I did a practice on Snowdon a couple of weeks ago with three others from my team. I had read something somewhere on the Merseyventure website not specific to our YCT event which mentioned the Pyg Track, so we did that, and the Llanberis Path down. If we get the option, we will definately go for the Pyg Track. As you've mentioned, the climbing is not all in one place at the end; there are alternating sections of gradient and relatively flat parts which allow a bit of a rest for your legs whilst also a change of speed to gain some time! Whilst there are a couple of rock slabs which could be slippery in the wet, this is definately my prefered path. Our time was 3hrs 13mins from Pen-y-pass to the hotel at the botom in Llanberis (i think its the Royal Victoria Hotel or something), so it worked for us Smile

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Mark Lees
Cobham Graduates Team

richieev · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Guys,

Generally, a team that is fit and well will do a better time on the Pyg Track rather than the Miners, and a team that are moving slowly and perhaps struggling with some injuries will perform better on the Miners.

However, weather conditions on Snowdon can change rapidly and from our safety point of view, the Miners is much easier and safer to track/assist teams.

Should conditions be fine, you will be able to use either path. Should conditions deteriorate, then we will stipulate the Miners simply for safety reasons, so we can track and assist as required.

My big worry on the Pyg is teams straying onto Crib Goch, a navigational error that has led to a number of recent fatalities.

The marshal at Pen-Y-Pass will let you know what route choice is available, and we've only had to restrict route choice once in 2007..! So hopefully you will be free to either, but please respect any descision otherwise...

Two weeks to go... Are you excited yet?

Richie..

mlees · One Peaker Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Marlow

That makes sense, if people aren't familliar with the route, ending up on Crib Goch by mistake is not a good thing...
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Mark Lees
Cobham Graduates Team