14 Peaks, 30 Miles, 14,000 Feet of ascent . . . 1 Weekend
The Welsh 3000s: here’s your chance to climb all the mountains of Wales inside the space of a single weekend. This trek is arguably the ultimate challenge event, combining true challenge with wilderness, excitement and awe – and all inside the space of one weekend!
General Outline
Fourteen Welsh Mountains spanning 22 miles, 14,000 feet of ascent and all inside . . . 1 weekend. This is up there as possibly the toughest undertaking you’ll ever sign up for – beware! Done in a single day this is one of Britain’s toughest 24 hour challenge walks requiring fitness, stamina and a certain kind of mindset: it makes the “Three Peaks” a mere training exercise for the boys. An alternative to make this slightly more palatable is to go light and attempt this over three days – still a tough nut to crack nonetheless!
Location:
Snowdonia National Park
Fitness level
This trek requires that you carry a back-pack over a considerable distance, up steep hills in a short space of time. It’s fair to say it’s a trek of an extremely arduous nature for seasoned walkers!
Welsh 3000s 24Hr Challenge – The King of Challenges!
Monday 10th June 2024
Join us for 2024’s event … Climbing all 14 of Wales’ mountains in one day.
“Many thanks for organizing this challenge for us. It was a huge team effort and having completed the event I now feel I understand a little more about the scale of the planning and the number of support staff involved. Not only the guides but also the base crew were so friendly, helpful and supportive. You have a great team and should be very proud of them all. Well done and please pass on my thanks.” Steven Law
Doing the Welsh 3000s in a single day is one of Britain’s toughest 24 hour challenge walks requiring fitness, stamina and a certain kind of mindset: it makes the “Three Peaks” a mere training exercise for the boys. Saturday morning will start at 0400 commencing our day’s challenge with the infamous Crib Goch. This will be the first of our fourteen Welsh 3000s . . .
Price per person: £204
- Fresh leaders for different phases
- Breakfast and dinner
- Transport and logistic support locally in the area
… and if you manage to complete this mighty challenge inside one magnificent journey and taking no more than 24 hours you’ll be eligible for a certificate. For details of this and how to join the list of finishers see www.14peaks.com.
Note: You need good fitness, mental robustness and a good head for heights too.
But why are we doing this on a Monday!?
I know, it seems mad: it will probably mean we don’t sell as as many places and we’ll make less money. But we have noticed that our National Parks are becoming increasingly crowded on weekends. This means the hills are less fun to be in, and the local infrastructure just doesn’t cope. By doing this on a weekday means that the hills will offer far more solitude, and also makes it easier when it comes to you booking accommodation. Plus the local businesses get a better spread of business. It’s taking a risk, but we hope it’s a decision that works all round!
Private bookings can be taken for this challenge event, though to make it cost effective, private bookings are best for groups that exceed 7 people. Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
The Welsh 3000s Route
Welsh 3000s – Two Day Challenge Event
10th/11th June 2024
Broken down over two days and with the right weather, this can be an easier option than trying it all inside one day but beware, covering this distance in a weekend still remains a tough nut to crack!
Outline Plan
Day 1 – up at about 0400 – have a quick snack – depart Nant Peris at about 0410 – and get cracking at the first mountain group starting with Crib Goch. Once the first three summits have been ticked off you will descend to Nant Peris where we will provide you with breakfast before the team commence the next phase: a traverse of the Glyderau.
Day 2 – up a bit later – finish the challenge with a traverse of the Carneddau! You’ll be picked up at the end point and delivered back to your car.
Price per person: £224
- Leader : client ratio not exceeding 1:6
- Breakfast in Nant Peris on day 1
- Transport and logistic support locally in the area
Note: You need good fitness, mental robustness and a good head for heights too.
Private bookings for groups of 4 or more can be taken for this challenge event. Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Welsh 3000s – Three Day Challenge Event
For this weekend we will trek the route of the Welsh 3000s by breaking it down into three natural legs: the Carneddau, the Glyderau and finally the Snowdon massif incorporating the infamous traverse of Crib Goch (not suitable for people with a fear of heights).
Price per person: £254
- Leader : client ratio not exceeding 1 : 6
- Transport and logistic support locally in the area
Note: You need good fitness, mental robustness and a good head for heights too.
Private bookings can be taken for this trek. Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Corporate / Team bookings
Far less driving and far more challenge than the Three Peaks: the Welsh 3000s Challenge is the perfect team charity event that can be done in a day … or two … or three according to the experience and fitness of your team. Please note however – if this challenge is undertaken in its entirety a good head for heights will be needed!
Dates:
Dates can be arranged privately for groups of seven or more – though we recommend May and June as being the best time to do this. Simply contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
“You and your team’s organisation of the event was superb and much appreciated. The guides who led my groups at various stages of the weekend (Tim, Rob and Adam), were absolutely first class, Tim and Adam each coping in just the right way with a team member who needed some attention. It was great to be with guides who were prepared to ramp up the pace at various stages of the weekend. They also helped to make the event fun and interesting, which is so important for something like this. Sarah was brilliant too, dishing up an amazing meal in the campsite and being (and keeping us all!) cheerful and chilled throughout the weekend, despite the complicated logistics. The arrangements worked like clockwork.
There are lots of very happy, although some aching and some a bit sunburnt(!), CRS staff today, riding on the memories of a wonderful weekend in Wales!” Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
“Hi Will, I was just composing an email to you and the team J. We are all indeed now home and dry (literally). Thank you so much for all your help and support right from the get-go. We couldn’t have done it without you and the team so please do pass on our immense appreciation to Richard, Adam, James and Alex.” Credit Suisse
“They have just arrived back into the office for a big congratulatory welcome back. They seem absolutely shattered, emotional and overwhelmed but they all said that even though it was something they would never have chosen to do, it was certainly something they don’t regret and will never forget! There’s a really great feeling in the office and everyone is really proud of their efforts … thank you for all your advice, efforts and support. They said that you did a fantastic job!”
CBS Outdoors
Train for the Welsh 3000s with Will4Adventure
Get fitter, gain valuable insight, walk key-terrain, and learn essential navigation skills on this weekend course designed to get you ready for the Welsh 3000s. We can show you some key aspects of the route that will give you the edge on the day:
- Traverse of Crib Goch*
- The best descent route to Nant Peris
- The direct traverse to Yr Elen
*Weather permitting
Dates:
Dates can be arranged privately for groups of three or more. Simply email us with your request.
Price per person: £80 (1 Day) or £140 (for 2 days)
Price per person 1:1: £185
Leader : client ratio not exceeding 1:5
Transport and logistic support locally in the area
Undertaking the Welsh 3000s independently is a huge undertaking. You should also consider joining us for a Hill Skills (navigation) weekend and for one of our Outdoor First Aid courses.
Private bookings can be taken from £160 per day. Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
What are the Welsh 3000s?
The fourteen mountains of Wales are all (conveniently) located in Snowdonia. They are: Snowdon 1085m, Garnedd Ugain 1066m, Crib Goch 923, Elidir Fawr 923m, Y Garn 947m, Glyder Fawr 999m, Glyder Fach 994m, Tryfan 915m, Pen Yr Ole Wen 978m, Carnedd Dafydd 1044m, Yr Elen 962m, Carnedd Llewelyn 1064m, Foel Grach 974m, Gwenllian (formerly Garnedd Uchaf*) 976m, Foel Fras 942m.
*Garnedd Uchaf, now named Gwenllian is the 15th peak and is contentious as such. Some say that a mountain must be at least 3000 feet (914m) above sea level and require at least 50m of re-ascent from it’s closest relative plateau… But Garnedd Uchaf is only 46m above it’s nearest saddle. Others will argue a mountain is any peak over 610m and needing 30m of ascent – and in this category Garnedd Uchaf fits the bill!
Outline strategy for success:
- Know the (best) route like the back of your hand
- Start early
- Start slowly
- Eat lots and make sure your food is balanced, sugars and salts
- Drink lots of fluids – plan for 100ml of fluid per 1 mile
*The Fifteenth Peak
Some people refer to this as the Fifteen Peaks Challenge; or refer to the fifteen Welsh 3000s. It’s true, there are 15 peaks that are 3000 feet or higher. Garnedd Uchaf is the “fifteenth peak”. But for it to count as one of the three thousanders it needs to have a relative height gain of at least 150 feet, and alas Garnedd Uchaf climbs around 100 feet from the surrounding plateau. Hence we will walk by it but not bother walking the 30m or so to touch its summit.
Some thoughts on Equipment and Wet Weather Preparation
It has been known to rain occasionally in Wales – and it could be that this is the greatest challenge that you’ll be facing on the hill. Bad weather just needs the right mind-set combined with the best preparation – and it can be overcome! With that in mind we have written this advice here.
Further Reading
A Look at the Welsh 3000s Challenge
A Stitch in Time – preparing for a rainy day in the hills
Training for challenge walks – guide to get fit
The Meaning of Welsh Names
Visit Snowdonia – Myths and Legends
Welsh (Cymraeg) for Hillwalkers