Two hikers, climbing Snowdon for charity, were booed by fellow hikers after they skipped a lengthy queue to reach the summit.
Rick Thiedeman, 34, and Jamie Richardson, 32, had spent 26 hours scaling Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike before making their way to the Welsh mountain in a Three Peaks challenge.
But when the duo, who are raising money for their friend, Tom Hynes, who has motor neurone disease, arrived at the mountain officially known as Yr Wyddfa, they were met with boos.
In a video posted on Mr Thiedeman’s Instagram, a lengthy queue with an estimated 40-minute wait could be seen as the pair made their ascent to the summit, as they were met with loud jeers.
However, the two men from Lancashire, were up against the clock in the challenge for charity, meaning waiting to get to the front could have meant a loss towards the very end on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Three Peaks Challenge website says those participating in the challenge can ‘bypass any queue to reach the summit’ due to the fact they are ‘rushing the whole time against the clock’.
Mr Thiedeman explained he and his friend had already spent 26 hours climbing the other two peaks and were ‘pretty exhausted’ when they were met with a ‘hostile, uncomfortable and unsettling’ atmosphere on the mountain.
He argued they had ‘no obligation’ to queue as they did not want to take a photo, saying they ‘wanted to hit [the summit marker] and leave’
‘But there was a gentleman at the top yelling ‘shame, shame’, like we’re still in mediaeval times,’ he told a newspaper.
Rick Thiedeman, 34, (right) and Jamie Richardson, 32 (left), climbing Snowdon for charity, were booed by fellow hikers after they skipped a lengthy queue to reach the summit
In a video posted on Mr Thiedeman’s Instagram , a lengthy queue with an estimated 40-minute wait could be seen as the pair made their ascent to the summit
‘The rest of the crowd were booing along. I don’t think booing is a sound that should be on a mountain summit.’
Mr Thiedeman also said the behaviour on Yr Wyddfa was a stark contrast to the friendliness they experienced climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland.
Mr Thiedeman said the atmosphere was in stark contrast to the camaraderie on Scotland’s highest mountain.
‘I think that’s quite heartbreaking to have people booing. While they have a right to get their photo, you’ve got no right to belittle others around you,’ he added.
The hospitality worker took to social media to share his experience on the famed Welsh mountain – and was met by several other hikers who had experienced similar reactions.
He pointed out that since posting the video online, several other walkers completing the challenge revealed that they had been on the receiving end of similar reactions.
And while his video garnered support, it also sparked criticism from others who pointed out that Yr Wyddfa is well-known for its picturesque summit and its lengthy queues to reach it, with some even opting to take the train to the top.
‘Good cause, wrong attitude. People weren’t booing the fundraiser, they were booing the entitlement,’ one said.
‘You can respect the cause and still think cutting the line was annoying.’
The duo were doing the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for their friend, Tom Hynes, who has motor neurone disease
Mr Thiedeman argued they had ‘no obligation’ to queue as they did not want to photo, saying they ‘wanted to hit [the summit marker] and leave’
‘Everyone wants their moment on the summit cairn and have their picture taken. If people didn’t queue it would just be a bun fight, and would get ugly.’ another quipped.
‘You took advantage of people queuing to go up the down steps to get to the summit cairn. A bit selfish in my view, and not the best way to finish your challenge.’
However, others described the queuing as ‘strange’ with one saying: ‘Imagine queuing for a summit, it’s Snowdon not Everest. Get out [of] my way.’
