Welsh 3000’s – Knowing When to Call it a Day (and Kit List)

The Welsh 3000’s is a 24 hour challenge, which consists of completing the 15 highest peaks in Wales. It’s a gruelling 50km route, with over 3000m of ascent.

I left home at 11:30 pm with one very full rucksack (you can check out my kit list below). As it’s not a circular route, it takes a bit of logistics with cars. We left one at the end and did a bit of ferrying around to get us all to the start point at Pen Y Pass car park. We had booked the car park in advance (costing a whopping £40!)

The route starts via Crib Goch. By this point though the weather was horrendous. There were howling winds and torrential rain, so we knew Crib Goch was a no go. We adjusted out route and decided to skip Crib Goch and head straight up Snowdon via the miner’s path instead.

The rain was brutal, and even with full kit, we were all absolutely soaked to the bone before we reached the summit. The visibility was also terrible. thankfully, Snowdon is a mountain we all knew pretty well so nav here wasn’t too much of an issue, but we knew that heading off up lesser known mountains would be less simple.

We made (a very easy) group decision to call it a day and headed back down the Llanberis path to get the bus back to our starting point, which ended up being about a 17km route. With the weather, visibility and the fact not an inch of any of us were dry, there wasn’t really any other option. We do these challenges for fun and for ourselves. We’re not doing it to prove anything else to anybody.

It’s certainly helped us plan for next time though! We’ve got the logistics down, know which bits of kit could do with an upgrade and have a better idea of what we need and don’t need to pack.

Yes is was disappointing to not get further, but safety always comes first! Mountain Rescue are under so much pressure at the moment and there seems to be a lot of people out who are very unprepared, who then require assistance. Yes accidents happen, but I never want to put myself, or others at risk by pushing on when we know we shouldn’t. The mountains will always be there!

Now for a day of washing and drying out kit and catching up on sleep.

Kit List

Rucksack:

My go to bag is my Osprey Tempest 20l, however I knew this was going to be too small for this hike. I therefore borrowed Colin’s Karrimoor Hot Rock 30l. I could easily fit everything I needed for the day, but I found it wasn’t a great fit for me. I struggled to adjust the straps to the point I could feel the weight was being held in the right place and therefore ended up with very achey shoulders. On the look out for a new 30l pack now!

Clothing:

Down Jacket – Macinasac Polar Packable Down Jacket

This is the first time I have tried this jacket out after kindly being gifted it by the team at Macinasac, but it did a great job at keeping me warm! I’ve got a M and it’s super comfy and fits well under a waterproof outerlayer.

Waterproof Jacket – BEVERLEY WOMENS WATERPROOF 3-IN-1 JACKET

This has been my go to hiking coat for the past year or so and has done me proud, however, in the torrential rain we had, it didn’t hold up. Saying that, I feel very few jackets would have kept you completely dry in that kind of weather.

Waterproof Trousers – Peter Storm Waterproof Packable Walking Trousers

Make me look like the Michelin Man, but do a job! Haha.

Other:

Hiking Poles – Black Diamond Womens Trail Ergo Cork Trek Walking Pole

Dry Bag – OEX 15l Drysac

Map – OS Explorer Map OL 17

Knee Support – Bracoo Adjustable Knee Support Brace

After tearing a ligament in my knee a few years ago, I always wear a knee support when out hiking. I’ve got three of these that I leave in various bags to always ensure I’ve got one to hand when I need it.

Hydration Bladder – 2l BPA Free Hydration Bladder

Personally I think a bladder is essential for longer hikes. It takes the faff out of stopping and having to get a bottle out of your bag, which I find helps me drink more and keep hydrated.

Gaiters – Trekmates Cairngorm Gore-Tex Walking Gaiters

Gloves – SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove

These held up amazingly in the rain. My hands stayed completely dry and warm – the only part of me that didn’t get wet!

On top of the above, I have an emergency shelter, first aid kit, extra layers, dry socks compass and plenty of high calorie food and drink.

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