Snowdon, Mountain summit in Gwynedd, Wales
Snowdon is a summit of volcanic rock in Gwynedd, Wales, rising to 1085 meters (3560 feet). Five connected peaks form sharp ridges with glacial basins opening between them.
Thomas Johnson, a botanist, reached the summit in 1639 as the first documented visitor. His scientific exploration marked the start of organized climbs in this part of Wales.
The Welsh name Yr Wyddfa means burial mound and links the summit to ancient Celtic tradition. Locals today still maintain respectful practices around the mountain and its routes.
Six different routes lead to the top, with the Llanberis route covering 7.2 kilometers (4.5 miles) and climbing 975 meters (3200 feet). Weather conditions can shift quickly, so preparing with appropriate gear makes the visit safer.
A rack railway has carried visitors to the summit since 1896, making it the only public mountain railway in Britain. The narrow gauge line tackles steep sections using a special drive system.
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