![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1313004348-083f.jpg\")
\n\t\tWhether it\u2019s Wimbledon or a monarch lying in state, Brits love to queue; and heaven forbid anyone doesn\u2019t understand how the system works! (Picture: Anthony Devlin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tWhether it\u2019s Wimbledon or a monarch lying in state, Brits love to queue; and heaven forbid anyone doesn\u2019t understand how the system works! (Picture: Anthony Devlin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Queuing: it\u2019s what the British are renowned for doing \u2014 and doing very well. Better than anyone else in the world, if reputation is to be believed.<\/p>\n
But even for the best in the business, it doesn\u2019t always come naturally, as recent events in Wales<\/a> reveal.<\/p>\n In case you\u2019ve missed it, it\u2019s all been kicking off at Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.<\/p>\n Heatwaves have drawn bumper summer crowds to Wales\u2019 highest mountain<\/a>, where climbers have reportedly waited more than an hour to reach the 1,085m-high summit.<\/p>\n There is no official queue system in place, but during busy periods hikers line up to take photos with the metal plate that marks the top. And here lies the problem. <\/p>\n Social media<\/a> videos have shown arguments between queue-jumpers and people waiting their turn \u2014 none more viral than this Insta clip from Manchester man, Marc Screeton:<\/p>\n Marc, 27, said there was \u2018no chance\u2019 he\u2019d queue on any mountain, but others said it is necessary for safety reasons.<\/p>\n Some argue that it should be different strokes for different folks. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re tapping the summit and heading down again, fire ahead.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re posing for pictures (i.e. doing it for the \u2018gram), get in line.<\/p>\n The issue is being debated everywhere from Sky News to the BBC, and Marc tells us at Metro<\/strong> that he feels it\u2019s been blown out of proportion.<\/p>\n \u2018I still feel the same and I would still never queue up on a mountain. If people want to queue, they can, but they can\u2019t expect everyone else to do the same,\u2019 he says. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a little overwhelming, from what I thought was a harmless video, to blow up like it has is crazy.\u2019<\/p>\n We want to know what you, our readers, think.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tShould people queue to climb mountains?<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro’s travel editor, Alice Murphy.<\/p>\n Queuing is not always compulsory, but it is often an \u2018unspoken\u2019 social contract, according to an expert in moral philosophy.<\/p>\n Johann Go, assistant professor of ethics at University College London<\/a>, told the BBC<\/a>: \u2018It\u2019s not that I have to queue, but given that others are already restraining themselves, if I were to then jump the queue, I would be saying \u2018to hell with them\u2019 and that my time is more valuable.\u2019<\/p>\n As it stands, there is no plan to tackle the Snowdon dispute.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Eryri National Park Authority told Metro<\/strong> that its policy remains one of \u2018self-policing\u2019 at the summit.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018Given how popular [it] is, particularly during peak times, some queuing can be expected.<\/p>\n \u2018We would encourage everyone visiting Yr Wyddfa and the wider National Park to be respectful of others, and to help ensure that everyone is able to enjoy their visit safely and responsibly.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t At 1,085 metres above sea level, the peak is a popular destination for hikers and the national park, also known as Snowdonia, attracts nearly 4 million people a year.<\/p>\n In May, two friends on a charity<\/a> hike were\u00a0booed and physically restrained\u00a0by fellow walkers while climbing\u00a0Snowdon after they bypassed queues to get to the top.<\/p>\n Jamie Richardson, 32, and Richard Thiedeman, 34, from Lincolnshire, were climbing Yr Wyddfa as part of the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for their friend who has motor neurone disease (MND).<\/p>\n Jamie told the BBC<\/a> he had just touched the trig point when he heard someone say \u2018you should be ashamed of yourself\u2019.<\/p>\n Among the thousands of visitors to the mountain this summer was the Princess of Wales<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kate also took on the Three Peaks challenge<\/a> in June, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales \u2013 Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon \u2013 in 24 hours.<\/p>\n Kensington Palace said it believed Kate was the first member of the royal family to complete the challenge.<\/p>\n She took on the challenge to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and \u2018explore life beyond diagnosis\u2019.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1313004352-b2e5.jpg\")
\n\t\tTo queue or not to queue: a quintessential British tradition? (Picture: Anthony Devlin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Full list of all 42 London bus routes affected by strikes after talks fail<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: My honest review of London\u2019s newest wellness hotel after its \u00a31,500,000,000 glow-up<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: TUI plane issued mayday call after \u2018trespasser\u2019 shut runway at UK airport<\/a><\/p>\n