About Marcus
1,098 km
198:03 h
Recent Activity
03:51
18.7km
4.9km/h
180m
180m
Marcus went for a hike.
December 18, 2025
Leggy!! Prepare for some sore quads after.
03:28
13.1km
3.8km/h
830m
840m
Marcus went for a hike.
December 12, 2025
The Peak District's iconic Derwent Valley Reservoirs system, comprising Howden, Derwent, and the massive Ladybower Reservoir, holds a significant place in both engineering and military history, though its creation led to the intentional flooding of two villages. The Derwent Dam gained fame during World War II, serving as a vital low-level practice site for the RAF's 617 Squadron ("The Dambusters") before their 1943 raid on German dams. However, the larger Ladybower Reservoir, completed in 1945, necessitated the relocation of residents and the submerging of the two small villages: Derwent and Ashopton. While Ashopton was mostly demolished, foundations and ruins of Derwent—including its roads and part of its Hall—remain remarkably preserved beneath the water, occasionally re-emerging during periods of drought, offering an eerie and poignant connection to the valley's lost history.
03:38
18.3km
5.0km/h
390m
370m
01:43
7.25km
4.2km/h
150m
160m
Route Complexity: Miners Track \rightarrow Y Lliwedd \rightarrow Snowdon \rightarrow Watkin Descent. The overall difficulty remains Very Hard/Strenuous Mountain Walk with Scrambling, but the challenges are distributed differently. 1. Miners Track (Start to Base of Y Lliwedd) Type: Easy/Good track followed by very steep, rugged mountain path. Complexity: The first two miles are relatively easy and follow a wide, flat track past the lakes (Llyn Teyrn and Llyn Llydaw). This is a gentle warm-up. Challenge: When the path turns up towards Glaslyn, it becomes a much steeper, rocky ascent. You are gaining significant height quickly on rugged, uneven ground. This section is a serious workout but is a tough walk, not a graded scramble. 2. Y Lliwedd (Ascent and Traverse) Type: Steep ascent followed by a sustained high-level ridge walk/scramble. Complexity: From the upper Miners Track (near Glaslyn), or a detour path near Llyn Llydaw, you will climb the face and ridge of Y Lliwedd (East and West Peaks). The Scramble: This is a classic Grade 1 Scramble. Grade 1 is the easiest scrambling grade, but it means you will definitely need your hands for climbing, not just balance. The path is often indistinct, and you will be moving over large rocks and boulders for a sustained period. Exposure: The ridge is exposed, with steep drop-offs (cliffs) to the north (Llyn Llydaw side). A good head for heights is essential. Challenge: Climbing a Grade 1 scramble early in the day when you are fresh is generally safer than doing it when you are tired. However, the scramble is now an ascent, making it more physically taxing. You will also have a major descent (to Bwlch Ciliau) to the main summit path afterward. 3. Y Lliwedd to Snowdon Summit Type: Descent/Traverse on rocky path, followed by a final steep ascent. Challenge: After traversing Y Lliwedd, you descend to Bwlch Ciliau where you join the main Watkin Path/South Ridge junction. From here, you have the final, famous, and very steep push to the summit of Snowdon. 4. Watkin Path (Descent) Type: Very steep, loose scree followed by a good walking track. Challenge: This is a major test of concentration on tired legs. The very top section of the Watkin Path is notorious for its loose rock and scree. It is very steep, and many people find descending this section more difficult and hazardous than ascending, with a high risk of slipping. Terrain: Once past the loose scree and rocky sections, the path gradually improves, becoming a well-built track past the waterfalls and through the woodland down to the valley floor (Nant Gwynant). Experience and Skills Required This route should only be attempted by experienced mountain walkers.
04:01
13.9km
3.5km/h
880m
870m
Marcus went running.
October 9, 2025
00:33
5.02km
6:37/km
20m
60m
Marcus went running.
September 29, 2025
00:44
5.93km
7:28/km
30m
50m
Phone died most of the way around.
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