The Welsh 3000s

~ Descending Elidir Fawr with Y Garn, The Glyders and Tryfan looming, not to mention the Carneddau ~

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 - close enough to make it possible to reach all 15 summits within 24 hours, a challenge known as the Welsh 3000s Challenge.

• Total distance 30 miles
• ​Total height gain 4000m​​

Traditionally the challenge target is 24 hours but we prefer to be eating, drinking, and sleeping when it's dark so we target 15 hours or less. We can make this achievable by providing expert planning & guiding, nutrition stations, and full valley support.

The Mountains

THE SNOWDON MASSIF

• Snowdon, 3559ft (1085m)
• Crib y Ddysgl, 3494ft (1065 m)
• Crib Goch, 3028ft (923 m)​

THE GLYDERAU

• Elidir Fawr, 3031ft (924 m)
• Y Garn, 3106ft (947 m)
• Glyder Fawr, 3284ft (1001 m)
• Glyder Fach, 3261ft (994 m)
• Tryfan, 3011ft (918 m)

THE CARNEDDAU

• Pen yr Ole Wen, 3208ft (978 m)
• Carnedd Dafydd, 3425ft (1044 m)
• Carnedd Llewelyn, 3490ft (1064 m)
• Yr Elen, 3156ft (962 m)
• Foel Grach, 3202ft (976 m)
• Garnedd Uchaf, 3038ft (926 m)
• Foel-fras, 3090ft (942 m)​​

Elevation Profile

~ Mentally prepare for the ascent of Elidir Fawr & Pen Yr Ole Wen ~

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Is it for me?

If you want a mountain challenge that will test your physical and mental resolve than you are in the right ball park. A rough guideline about you should be:

• Experience of moving quickly in the mountains on difficult terrain
• Experience of long mountain days
• Resilience in adversity

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. In my experience it is also a great deal more rewarding than the 3 Peaks Challenge.

We won't be running but we will be moving as quickly as we can over mountainous terrain with limited "rests" - expect some occasional jogging when appropriate. If you have any questions about whether this is right for you please get in touch mike@weswimrun.org or 07725416134.

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 is unlikely that we will complete in 15 hours, and in severe conditions we will re-sort to Plan B.

Crib Goch

The video below illustrates the level of exposure on the Crib Goch section:

Want to go slower?

We also offer a fully guided & supported two or three day version which, as you would expect, gives us a little more time to enjoy the journey. That said it is still a tough challenge!

Fast or slow - contact us for dates mike@weswimrun.org