Hikers on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are facing criticism for skipping self-imposed queues for summit photos, sparking debate about whether treating mountains like theme parks is ruining the outdoors.
Incidents of Booing and Criticism
In May 2026, hospitality manager Richard Thiedeman was booed at the summit of Yr Wyddfa for not queuing to touch the summit marker. The 34-year-old had hiked to the top on May 24 to raise money for a friend's funeral, wearing a T-shirt that read "I am hiking to raise money for a funeral!", but crowds still jeered as he bypassed the line.
This week, another hiker, Marc Screeton, faced criticism for walking past a queue to reach the summit after completing a five-hour trek. In a video shared by WalesOnline, a group shouted "there's a queue, you know" and "it's out of order", with one woman even calling for someone to "chuck his phone off" the mountain.
Impact of Social Media on Outdoor Spaces
Since the pandemic and the rise of Instagram and TikTok, interest in UK beauty spots has soared. Reports of national parks, beaches, and trails being overrun by crowds, litter, and queues have increased, with many waiting over an hour for a selfie at the 3,560ft peak.
Julia Hartley, founder of Guided Outdoor Adventures, said: "Social media has turned summits into bucket list checkboxes, and the footfall is now causing real environmental damage. The litter is the most visible sign of it." She added that mountain leaders handle summit photos "practically" and "find the shot somewhere else".
Safety Concerns and Expert Views
Mountain leader Gemma Smith said in a TikTok video that queuing on mountains should only be for safety reasons, as on Everest, where following a fixed line prevents dangerous overtaking. On Yr Wyddfa, the queue exists almost entirely for photographs, with no summit marshals or National Park rules enforcing it.
Hartley warned that queuing poses a specific danger: "When people have waited a long time to reach a summit, they become reluctant to turn back even when conditions change. That sunk cost thinking on a mountain is genuinely dangerous."
In hot weather, hikers standing still for long periods can suffer sunstroke, prompting callouts to Mountain Rescue Teams. Llanberis Mountain Rescue reported responding to 14 incidents on Yr Wyddfa over the Bank Holiday weekend, with most linked to warm weather. Elfyn Jones, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team Volunteer and Coordinator, said: "People often underestimate how quickly warm weather can become dangerous in the mountains."
As Richard Thiedeman said: "These people believe that a queue is the right thing to do. But since when has it been okay to boo people because they don't believe in what you believe in?"
