Rivaling the Lake District as a mecca for hikers and climbers is the Snowdonia region of North Wales. Snowdon itself is actually the highest mountain in England and Wales. Though low by north American standards, its base to peak distance, and the absence of any trees, give a sense of exposure and wilderness that appeals to the British hiker. This view looks down from the side of Snowdon to the horseshoe lake and track that leads back down to the Penn-y-Pass hotel. Other mountains in the Snowdon range are shown in the background. This region was a prime training ground for the British Everest expedition of 1952 that first conquered Everest. Leader John Hunt and his team stayed at the Penn-y-Gurig hotel just below the mountain, still open for Snowdonia hikers and recommended for its "memorabilia" room of the Everest team. Also to be found in Capel Curig, a short distance away , is Joe Brown's climbing shop. Joe, the first to climb Kanchenjunga, third highest mountain in the world, was England's best known rock climber in the 1960s, opening up the sport to millions with his equally famous partner Don Whillans who died in the Himalayas.