The Welsh 3000s are the 15 mountains in Wales that have a height of 3000 feet or more. Geographically they fall within three ranges: The Snowdon Massif , The Glyderau, and The Carneddau. The total journey is 50km with nearly 4000m of ascent.
We specialise in facilitating a Welsh 3000s for Ultra Runners guided event with a first to last peak time of 12 hrs.
THE MOUNTAINS
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The Snowdon Massif 1. Crib Goch, 3028ft 2. Garnedd Ugain, 3494ft 3. Snowdon, 3559ft |
The Glyderau 4. Elidir Fawr, 3031ft 5. Y Garn, 3106ft 6. Glyder Fawr, 3284ft 7. Glyder Fach, 3261ft 8. Tryfan, 3011ft (918 m) |
The Carneddau 9. Pen yr Ole Wen, 3208ft 10. Carnedd Dafydd, 3425ft 11. Carnedd Llewelyn, 3490ft 12. Yr Elen, 3156ft 13. Foel Grach, 3202ft 14. Garnedd Uchaf, 3038ft 15. Foel-fras, 3090ft |
May 2022
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Experience of completing ultramarathons, and/or trail/mountain marathons is strongly advised. You also need some experience of scrambling.
To give you an idea of fitness I have suggested the following basic minimum targets. Note these are only “ball-park” targets and don’t account for how you move over difficult terrain. However most find these targets useful:
● Half-marathon: sub 1hr 35 min
● Marathon: sub 3hr 35 min
These targets are guidelines, and assume a relatively flat course. They are also no guarantee, the ascent/descent is punishing.
In general, the lighter you are the better you will cope with the ascents and descents. If you are outside the "healthy weight" bracket of the NHS BMI calculator then you probably won't suit the sub-12 hr target.
To give you an idea of fitness I have suggested the following basic minimum targets. Note these are only “ball-park” targets and don’t account for how you move over difficult terrain. However most find these targets useful:
● Half-marathon: sub 1hr 35 min
● Marathon: sub 3hr 35 min
These targets are guidelines, and assume a relatively flat course. They are also no guarantee, the ascent/descent is punishing.
In general, the lighter you are the better you will cope with the ascents and descents. If you are outside the "healthy weight" bracket of the NHS BMI calculator then you probably won't suit the sub-12 hr target.
For bespoke group itineraries (from sub-12hrs to 2 days) please get in touch: mike@weswimrun.org.
May 2018
COST: £199
Includes:
+ Full guiding by qualified and experienced mountain guides
+ Food & fluid during the challenge at strategically placed aid stations enabling you to "go light"
+ Valley support vehicle available throughout
+ Early morning pick up from Llanberis/Capel Curig if required
+ Transport from end point back to Pen Y Pas/Llanberis/Capel Curig
+ Comprehensive gear & training advice
+ Event photos
+ Over ten years experience of successful guiding on the Welsh 3000s
+ Special finishers badge
Two nights bunkhouse accommodation is £50 extra.
Includes:
+ Full guiding by qualified and experienced mountain guides
+ Food & fluid during the challenge at strategically placed aid stations enabling you to "go light"
+ Valley support vehicle available throughout
+ Early morning pick up from Llanberis/Capel Curig if required
+ Transport from end point back to Pen Y Pas/Llanberis/Capel Curig
+ Comprehensive gear & training advice
+ Event photos
+ Over ten years experience of successful guiding on the Welsh 3000s
+ Special finishers badge
Two nights bunkhouse accommodation is £50 extra.
Leaving aid station 1, ready for the sustained ascent of Elidir Fawr
WHEN?
SATURDAY 24 SEP
SATURDAY 24 SEP
~ The elevation profile, you need to be hill fit! ~
The most common approach is going South to North, however we also offer a North to South route (last peak Snowdon). If you want to make a group enquiry (minimum 7) please get in touch - mike@weswimrun.org
To complete you will not only need a high level of fitness, but also have a head for heights, particularly for the Crib Goch section:
IS IT FOR ME?
If you want a mountain challenge that will test your physical and mental resolve than you are in the right place. Some ridges are exposed with steep drops so a head for heights will be required. The ascents/descents are very strenuous so you will need to be hill-fit.
Note that it is far more strenuous and requires more stamina than the National 3 Peaks Challenge. It is also a great deal more rewarding than the 3 Peaks Challenge, and much more environmentally friendly. We won't necessarily be running but we will be moving quickly over mountainous terrain with limited rests.
Note that it is far more strenuous and requires more stamina than the National 3 Peaks Challenge. It is also a great deal more rewarding than the 3 Peaks Challenge, and much more environmentally friendly. We won't necessarily be running but we will be moving quickly over mountainous terrain with limited rests.
DISTANCE & HEIGHT GAIN
The distance from the top of the first peak (Snowdon) to the last peak (Foel Fras) is around 38 km. Note with the walk-in to the first peak, and walk-out from the last peak added you should expect a total distance of 50km. The total height gain is just under 4000m.
There may be cloud
WEATHER
Weather will happen. The impact that high winds, dense fog, persistent rain, cold, and heat can have on such a challenge is significant. In certain conditions it will take longer than planned, and in severe conditions we will re-sort to Plan B.
Billy leaving Snowdon behind, on his way to Crib Goch, May 2018
TESTIMONIALS
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"I wanted to say a very sincere and huge thanks for a brilliant challenge. It is a really tough day but I loved it!"
- Russell |
"I'd previously had two, independent failed attempts at the Welsh 3000s. Under Mike's guidance success was never in doubt, bloody hard though!"
- Ed |
"Mike and Steve went the extra mile to make the whole experience a thrilling, exhausting, superb weekend!"
- Paul |
One of our 2022 participants kindly published this video of the experience, thanks Jim!
Craig picks his way along Crib Goch
We use our extensive experience of multi-day adventure racing, leading groups in the mountains, and sports nutrition to help the team achieve a successful completion. With strategically placed feed stations, a valley support team, and the optimum route choice we maximise your chance of success in a quick time. But make no mistake, you will need to be very fit.
GETTING HERE
Capel Curig is our base for pick up/drop off. Further details about our meet up will be sent after booking.
WINTER WELSH 3000s
Do you have a group that want to take on this challenge in winter? It's more than likely that we'll say "No, do it in summer!", however with the right group, on the right day then it is a possibility...
DBR DAYS
We also offer guiding and recce days on Days 1, 2 & 3 of the Dragon's Back Race route for groups of 4 or more.
THE LAKES 3000s
Same, same but different. Very different. On our Lakes 3000s challenge we introduce mountain bikes to get between mountains... read more here.
Smörgåsbord
Our friends at inspireENG have created this special Welsh 3000s Smörgåsbord, a great memory of your adventure, with a practical use - purchase here.
inspireENG are a local Welsh company based in Penmaenmawr
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TheWelsh3000s.co.uk is a WESWIMRUN event.