Eryri National Park Authority has confirmed it will not intervene in hiker disputes at the trig point atop Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, after videos emerged showing people refusing to wait in line. A spokesman said the authority's policy remained one of “self-policing” at the summit.
Queues Expected With Annual Visitor Numbers
The queues are believed to have worsened as recent hot weather has drawn visitors to the national park this summer. The spokesman said: “There are three quarters of a million people summitting annually, so queues are likely to be expected in peak times.”
He added that there were no plans for new measures to be implemented this year, but the matter would be discussed at an end of visitor season meeting in the early autumn.
Hiker Defends Decision to Skip Queue
The statement follows an incident in which a hiker was heckled by fellow explorers after skipping a queue to reach the peak. Marc Screeton, 27, from Manchester, was met with dirty looks and told to “chuck his phone off” the mountain as he captured the moment. He had made the five-hour journey up the mountain and decided he could not wait any longer to reach the top.
“I don't think you should be queuing up in nature on a mountain; it's the same as queuing up at a bar,” Marc said. “People naturally see a queue so they decide to join it – it's a very British thing, isn't it. I just wanted to touch the top quickly and get back down.” He added: “I haven't endangered anyone or 'shoved or barged' past anyone; I did wait until it was clear to head up and touch the top.”
Peak Attracts Nearly Four Million Yearly Visitors
At 1,085 metres above sea level, the peak is a popular destination for hikers, and the national park, also known as Snowdonia, attracts nearly four million people a year. The park has issued reminders this summer urging visitors to leave trails clean and not to disturb wildlife.
Among the thousands of visitors to the mountain this summer was the Princess of Wales. Kate took on the Three Peaks challenge in June, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – within 24 hours. She took on the challenge to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and “explore life beyond diagnosis”. At the finish, she was welcomed by the Prince of Wales, their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – as well as her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother, James Middleton.
