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"However, if the Llanberis path is 60% ridable (upward), it must be an absolute peach going down, surely?"
I rode down all of it except the steps from the trig point as I didn't want to crash with an audience!
1. The section from the steps, down to Bwlch Glas with the finger-stone was tricky in parts and I had one light OTB incident.
2. The section from Bwlch Glas bypassing Carnedd Ugain and then down to the railway arch is a long, continuously fairly steep trail, wide but extremely loose. I found this part the most difficult to stay in control with a fair bit of sliding and overheated my brakes. If you ride up all of this - your are strong and fit.
Below the railway bridge is a pitched stone section that is essentially a wide, very long, irregular, but shallow staircase. Easier than it looks to descend - just point straight down and drag the rear brake a tiny bit. I was a bit breathless at the bottom from taking all the bumps. If you can ride up this you are a trials god.
Below that the trail is wide and fast with fun rocky interludes all the way past halfway house, down to the gate.
I enjoyed the whole solo summer evening experience, there were just a few friendly people walking, all encouraging me. Was it worth it? Yes, it was a lovely experience and not as difficult to climb as I expected, great views and with a long and interesting descent.
I was tempted to do The Rangers but it was deserted and with no-one to scrape me up, I though it unwise to do. But I do want to do it with friends.
Come with us??
Buzz-L - yeah that sounds sensible! If I do do the midsummer Snowdon summit bivi thing* (gloriously weather dependant, obviously), I don't really fancy trying to go down something that is several shades of gnar, while bleary-eyed and cold first thing in the morning, while carrying overnight gear. The solitary mess I could make on the rocks would not be nice... 😯
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* I may very well not actually do it, it's just a whimsical idea after all!
Guy Fawkes night 1995 I climbed and bivvied on top of Snowdon with several equally drunk students. Cloud base was about 100ft below the summit with a full moon. When the sun came up it turned everything orange, glorious.
I'll be riding with ir and several others on middleton b0llocks day and I will love it as it's riding with friends, what more can you ask? 🙂