Welsh 3000s

Training and a good level of walking fitness is definitely required. This is a tough challenge and physically and mentally draining, sleep deprivation plays a part here, affecting some people more than others. As much preparation and training you put in beforehand the better chance of success you have.

Trekking fitness is specific to trekking, but a general overall fitness is a good start. 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.

Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Step training advice is given below. Remember to use the walking boots that you will be walking in after the first month of training to get them worn in.

We aim for a minimum of 4 trekkers with our ideal being groups of 6 with staggered start times. There is no exact maximum, we are open to chatting this over.

On the 3 day itinerary, 4 nights hostel style twin sharing accommodation will be included and you can choose to upgrade to 3 star twin style if you so wish. Breakfast, lunch & dinner are also provided but not additional snacks and beverages.

Accommodation will not be included on the 24 hour itinerary, however, we advise you to secure accommodation in Llanberis for ease of your challenge. We are more than happy to provide recommendations for accommodation.

Due to early starts, breakfast may not be provided by your accommodation so please check this.

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.

We enjoy staying the night after the challenge as it gives the team the opportunity for the celebratory meal together in Llanberis.

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

The following is a guide of what your leader will be consuming over the duration of the trip. 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 a 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!

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. 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.

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 several hours.

On the 24-hour challenge, we will provide you with 2 valley stops with snacks and refreshments (porridge and pastries in Nant Peris, Soup and roll in Ogwen).

There will also be a chance to refill your water bottles and replenish your snacks between each section.

On the 3 day challenge, breakfast, lunch & dinner will be provided but snacks and beverages will not so please bring extra bites 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 ground team.

The Mountain Leader will always keep the group together for maximum safety 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 RAW 360 Mountain Leaders to accompany and lead you. 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.

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 Wales 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.

You will be given a meeting point in Llanberis. We recommend either arriving into Llanberis the evening before or the morning of the challenge where your RAW 360 guide will meet you.

On the 24 hour challenge, you will have transport from the start and finish of your challenge. On the 3 day challenge, you will make your own way there and a meeting point will be shared with your group. And you will be informed of the finish line to arrange returning transport.

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.

Depends how many snacks and drinks you want to buy on the way to the start of your challenge! If you bring most of these with you then not that much or if you want buy everything en-route then you will need a bit more! 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 so we would be unlikely to complete Crib Goch or Tryfan.