Snowdon Sea to Summit

To enjoy and succeed in this event you need to be in good physical condition and able to withstand sustained activity over several hours, including steep ascents and descents. We recommend you partake in active walking/running/swimming/cycling at least 3 times a week to fully enjoy this mountain walk.

The ideal training for mountain walking is getting out there and actually walking in the hills. However, if you do not have the luxury of living in the hills or time to go out, then the stairs at home (or an office block of flats with lots of stairs) are a great place to start training.

We will cover high-level terrain which is rocky and uneven underfoot and remember to include ‘hills’ in any training you do – Yr Wyddfa is not flat! Your muscles and heart need to be used to getting out of breath and working hard. A sense of humour to cope with any adverse weather conditions is also quite beneficial!

We run this challenge with a minimum of 8 trekkers and there is no maximum number – the more, the merrier!

Accommodation is not provided however we can add this on to the challenge is specifically requested. Otherwise, we can provide recommendations.

It’s very much a personal choice, and will also of course depend on where you’re travelling from.

That said, we would say it makes for an easier start in the morning if you are already in the location. Especially so that you can have a good nights rest before the beginning of your challenge.

Do note also that, depending on where you are travelling to, you may be limited by the last train times from the nearest stations.

No meals are provided – please bring your own snacks, packed lunch and water to sufficiently keep you going throughout the day.

Make sure you eat breakfast at least 60 minutes before you start walking. You need to carry at least 2 litres of water, plus juice drinks. Please bring your own meals and always pack a variety of foods – both savoury and sweet – that will sustain you during the day.

The following is a guide of what your leader will be consuming over the course of the day. If you are not, then you are likely to be not taking on enough: food=energy and fluids=hydration. Cramping is a sign of dehydration and lack of salts.

Have a large meal the day before your challenge and ensure you are well hydrated i.e. no real discoloration of urine which is sign of dehydration.

On the morning of the challenge have a huge breakfast! Don’t be shy, get it down you as you’re walking not running!

Roughly every 45-50 minutes have a snack whether it is an energy bar, flapjack, banana or a bag of crisps! If you start to feel dizzy/ weak this is a sign you’re not eating enough. Choose complex carbohydrates and whole foods, rather than overly sweet items. Foods like malt loaf, mixed fruit and nuts, cheese and ham, oat cakes, raw fruit bars, dark chocolate, filled wraps, mini pork pies or sausage rolls will last well on the hill and sustain you over a number of hours.

Make sure you take food you enjoy eating as otherwise you will not eat enough of it. You will be burning a lot of calories and need to consume a lot to keep you fuelled.

Our Mountain Leaders are well trained and experienced in managing situations on the hill should they need to get outside assistance for example ‘mountain rescue’ they all carry mobile phones and also radios for communication with the minibus drivers.

The Mountain Leader will always keep the group together for maximum safety on each peak and set a sensible pace for all to achieve this challenge. However, if your struggling you must be honest with yourself and the leader remember the top of the mountain is only halfway!

We employ experienced and fully qualified Mountain Leaders to accompany and lead you with a 1:10 ratio dedicated coordinator. They are mountain first aid trained and have extensive experience in leading in the mountains, your leader will be ultimately responsible for your safety on the mountain and the rest of the group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them.

We advocate a little bit of self-help on the trek. If you have a blister developing for instance then please stop, take off your boot and treat it before it becomes a problem. Your own first aid kit should contain: a basic blister kit, rehydration sachets, plasters, high factor sun-protection, your own personal medication, and some basic pain relief (aspirin and Ibuprofen). Generally the best approach to take when packing your first aid kit is to include such basic medications as if you would on a family or personal holiday.

See the comprehensive kit list provided but remember that our seasons now are only determined by the temperature of the rain! You need clothing and equipment for all weathers.

The choice of walking footwear is incredibly important and should not be decided on price alone. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough so it is vital that you use a pair of strong canvas or leather boots with good ankle support, not trekking trainers. Not only the boots but the socks that you wear are also very important and it is worth investing in some good pairs of socks. Avoid cotton, trekking or good quality sports socks are advised as are a thin wicking sock to wear underneath if your prone to blisters, these are designed to draw the moisture away from your feet. Wearing your boots and socks during your training period on and off the hills will inform you of whether they are suitable for the challenge.

A daysack is worn at all times during the trek. The content of this is mandatory and should include: a fleece, waterproofs, warm hat, gloves, sun hat, sunscreen, sufficient water, snacks, camera equipment, personal medication, a head torch and spare batteries and a whistle.

Your daysack should weigh no more then 3 – 4 kg (without water) and a pack of around 30L capacity should more than suffice. This rucksack can be filled to brim with extra stuff and you can leave some of it in the minibus between mountains. It is important that this bag has an adjustable waist belt to transfer the weight of your daily load onto your hips and from here onto your legs so that your strongest muscles do most of the carrying.

The mountain weather in the UK can be very changeable, it can be glorious sunshine down at the base but be wet and windy on the summit. It is not uncommon for it to change from clear blues skies to rain and fog in moments. It is important to follow the advice we give and carry the correct kit.

We will meet you at an agreed location in Llanberis at the start of the event and transport you to the walk start point. Your challenge will finish at this same location.

We recommend either arriving into Llanberis the evening before to give yourself time to properly rest and be less rushed on the morning of your challenge.

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the challenge. We cannot take you on the mountain without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip.  To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

Depends how many snacks and drinks you want to buy on the way to the start of your challenge! Your evening meal and accommodation will be organised by yourself so you can budget for this.

From May to September is most advisable for the best chance of pleasant weather.

We can look at October to April however there are far less daylight hours and a greater chance of worse weather.