‘It was one of the best things we’ve ever done together’
14:06, 20 Oct 2025Updated 14:12, 20 Oct 2025
Crib Goch with the Yr Wyddfa horsehoe in the background(Image: Ben Thornley)
A top BBC television and radio star choose Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) over Rome, Marrakesh, Seville for a rare weekend getaway with her husband and was left “extraordinarily inspired” by the experience. Presenter and DJ Jo Whiley scaled the UK’s most visited mountain peak and was left amazed and breathless, mainly in wonder. The Radio Two star admitted she had never hiked very far before.
But in need of a break after a difficult week she decided to head to Wales with husband Steve Morton. They chose climbing Yr Wyddfa ahead of jetting off to a sun kissed destination overseas.
She said her mum had always said that scaling Wales’s highest peak was something she had to do in her lifetime. The DJ said two things left her inspired – the diversity of those taking on the mountain…and their footwear.
She said: “The last time Disco Steve and I went away for a non work-related weekend was, I reckon, in 1997 when our firstborn India was about five years old. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
“I cried all the way to the airport and the whole flight to NYC because we were leaving her behind and the thought of getting on a plane without her terrified me. We had an amazing time.
“Fast forward twenty eight years and we decided we needed a break after a difficult week. We considered Rome, Marrakesh, Seville.. but chose instead to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) having never climbed or hiked very far before.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
“It was one of the BEST things we’ve ever done together. We chose to go with a guide so we’d learn along the way and lovely Tom from @mountainxperience was excellent.
“We met so many great people in our group and as we went along, sharing stories and life experiences over the course of the seven hours.
“The array and diversity (and footwear) of the people doing the Snowdon challenge was extraordinarily inspiring – all ages and abilities, dogs and children, groups of friends and soloists (putting on their steel pants).
“The views when the clouds cleared were stunning but more than anything, the shared experience and the sense of achievement was everything.
“Such a happy and cathartic day.”
She added: “Thanks Mum for insisting it was something we MUST do in our lifetime.”
Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community