Litter cascades down one of the Trinity Gullies just below Yr Wyddfa’s summit (Image: Jethro Kiernan/BMC)
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) has been plagued by an escalating litter problem in recent years, partly fueled by a cascade of summer visitors.
Despite many climbers not intending to add to the litter, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), leading the charge in efforts to keep the peak clean, suggests that accidental discards often contribute to the mess.
“In our experience, most people will try to pick up what they have dropped,” a spokesperson said. The issue arises, they explain, when items tumble into hard-to-reach places.
One particular litter-ridden area can be found on Clogwyn Y Garnedd – its Trinity Gullies just below Yr Wyddfa’s summit, a spot that merges hardcore mountaineers with casual strollers enjoying the view. Known as one of Wales‘ iconic winter climbs, it’s here where summiteers are often met by crowds taking selfies and picnicking.
Dubbed by the BMC as one of Britain’s “most iconic and environmentally significant locations”, the site has recently been shown in photographs displaying disturbing scenes. Infamously emblematic of the litter problem, the 300-metre cliff face now showcases a kaleidoscope of rubbish including brightly coloured clothes, plastics, and food wrappers, reports Wales Online.
Snowdon attracts around 700,000 visitors every year (Image: Getty)
The disturbing levels of rubbish blighting the pristine Welsh countryside have sparked fury among locals and tourists alike. One disgruntled individual voiced their horror online, stating: “How sad to see such amazing parts of the Welsh countryside being ruined by humans.”
Another went on to blast those at fault for the mess, commenting: “Regardless of how many people tab up there each year, that amount of rubbish is absolutely deplorable. Shame on the halfwits that drop it.”
Many attribute the litter problem to Snowdon’s growing popularity as an “Instagram magnet”, while some choose to pin the blame on the Hafod Eryri Summit cafe. Among the suggested solutions is imposing a ban on disposable cups, with one critic pointing out the chaos they cause: “On a windy day it’s like a sandstorm of plastic cups,” Bottles of Prosecco and other such items from the cafe’s product range often end up strewn across the mountain, which has sparked criticism.
However, not everyone lays the blame at the cafe’s door for the rubbish scattered near its entrances or along the Snowdon Mountain Railway track beds. Caru Eryri volunteers staunchly defend the venue, dedicating nearly 300 days a year to cleaning up the region, each time taking away countless black bin bags full of rubbish.
A local has pointed the finger at visitors for the littering issue on Yr Wyddfa, stating: “Nothing to do with the cafe,” and adding, “Most of that crap is carried up and left there. The amount of Costa cups I see on the mountain is a joke.”
Bins are hard to place on the summit which makes littering worse with so many visitors (Image: Getty)
The problem of rubbish on the mountain is complex, with bins being impractical due to access issues and the risk of overflow.
Without a mains water supply at the summit, walkers are forced to rely on single-use plastic bottles, and the idea of hauling tanks for refilling stations at Hafod Eryri is neither practical nor cost-effective. Recycling services face similar challenges.
Yet, the solution seems straightforward proper disposal of waste. While most people do manage their rubbish responsibly, as one online comment notes, some are “just lazy or inconsiderate”.
Compounding the issue, the weather plays its part, with climbers acknowledging: “It’s not all littering,” as items can be accidentally blown away. Instances of clothing being whisked off by the wind while being adjusted are not uncommon.
The predicament has now engulfed Trinity Gullies, among other spots on Yr Wyddfa, which have become inadvertent trash repositories due to their topography, wind patterns, and human traffic. Cleaning these areas is no small task and extends beyond the remit of casual volunteers.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has detailed the accumulation of rubbish in the area’s gullies, some of which have been there for years or even decades. An “extraordinary effort” is set to be made on Saturday, September 21, to address this issue, with abseiling experts and experienced walkers sweeping the neighbouring Upper Glaslyn Bowl for litter.
Not only small items but also larger ones such as sleeping bags are included in the collection of detritus. This colossal task is being undertaken by the BMC in collaboration with various other groups, including Eryri National Park, Cymdeithas Eryri, RAW Adventures, Trash Free Trails, Snowdon Mountain Railway and Plantlife due to the site’s ecological significance.
In a further bid to tackle the problem, around a hundred volunteers have already responded to the call-out and are ready to participate in the clean-up operation. The BMC commented on the issue, stating: “Renowned as a premier winter climbing destination, these gullies are also a vital habitat for Arctic Alpine plant species. Unfortunately, they are now threatened by waste, plastic and pollution left behind by over 600,000 visitors each year.”
This conservation initiative is part of an ongoing series by the BMC, who strive to protect and maintain environments popular with its members. Earlier this year in June, the Get Stuck In campaign saw around a dozen BMC volunteers team up with the National Trust on Glyder Fawr to halt peat erosion, thereby cutting carbon emissions.
In a bid to curb plastic pollution, they also removed plastic tree guards from hundreds of young trees planted on reclaimed farmland in the Nant Ffrancon valley.