Llanberis businesses ask people to #BeAdventureSmart and carefully plan their day on the UK’s busiest mountain.
As we head into Autumn, Llanberis businesses are using the AdventureSmart strategy for safety in the outdoors to ask people to make careful plans before walking up Yr Wyddfa. During the summer of 2024, several businesses based in Llanberis and the surrounding area have been working with local social enterprise, Snowdonia-Active, to develop some top facts that everyone planning to walk up the highest mountain in Wales should know. For example; although the Llanberis path is known as the easiest route out of the six routes to Yr Wyddfa’s summit, it is NOT an easy walk, it is 7 hours of difficult walking up and down!
In recent years, the number of call-outs to the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team has steadily increased, peaking at over 300 in 2023. Many avoidable incidents occur on Yr Wyddfa, which has more than 500,000 visitors a year. Not only has the number of incidents increased but they are also called out on more days each year, often with several callouts in one day. This places a high physical and mental strain on the volunteer team members.
Many of the people climbing Yr Wyddfa every year pass through Llanberis, staying in accommodation, visiting retailers, and eating in restaurants and cafes. Each of these interactions provides an opportunity to impart some clear and consistent safety advice.
This project, funded by the Police and Community Trust (PACT) and Eryri National Park Authority, seeks to influence people at an ideal moment in the planning of their adventure. Whilst spending time in Llanberis they will be reflecting and thinking about their intended activity, they will have the opportunity to consider the weather and if the route options they have chosen are appropriate for their fitness and skills and will be able to buy additional gear if required. As AdventureSmart Champions, the businesses will display specially designed information boards with a link to the YrWyddfa. Live weather information for the Yr Wyddfa summit. They are also providing information cards, designed to fit into a wallet or purse, advising people how to track their progress, know where they are and make sure they stay on the path.
The Royal Victoria Hotel, Erw Fair Guesthouse, Morris Leisure Touring Park, Gallt y Glyn, and Lodge Dinorwig Hostel have all worked to help develop the messages and the A4 information boards printed on weatherproof foamex are now available to other businesses in the area.
Sonja Rothwell from Lodge Dinorwig Hostel said “At Lodge Dinorwig, we want all our guests to enjoy their time in the mountains safely. We are often asked about hiking up Yr Wyddfa, and it’s so helpful to have resources like these to guide them. Good information empowers our guests to make smart decisions, stay safe, and have a great experience on the trails.”
Elin Aaron from Gallt y Glyn, Llanberis said “I will never be surprised how little knowledge some of our guests have of the challenge facing them on Yr Wyddfa, we are always trying to remind them that it’s not a walk in the park, while also not putting them off facing the challenge all together. It’s great that all of my team know that
AdventureSmart is a reliable source to signpost our guests for any information. Snowdonia-Active are calling for as many businesses as possible to become AdventureSmart Champions.
Interested businesses should contact emma@snowdoniaactive.com.