A little background...
So where do I start?.......Well the Welsh 3000's is a term used for 15 particular peaks all over 3000ft in height in North Wales, that can be done in a winding point to point route. Taking in three different very well known mountain ranges, the Snowdon massif, the Glyderau massif and finally the Carnedd massif.
It totals anything from 30-35 miles in distance, subject to where you park your car for getting up Snowdon for the start and getting back to your car at the end in the middle of nowhere. Total ascent climbed over the entire route is roughly 10,500ft.
It's a tough ask and it's ultimate form of challenge is to try and complete the route within one day i.e. 24 hours! Well none of that foolishness for me quite yet, although it is on the cards for me within the year.
I am personally training for the 24hr Welsh 3000's by doing it over multiple attempts throughout the year to raise vital funds for the Llanberis mountain rescue team and in memory of my Mum whose ashes are spread in Snowdonia over looking Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa.
I am doing it as a three part challenge, part one was doing it over three days at the beginning of June as training. Then part two over two days with the Focused Performance team on this event so I can learn the entire route from the expert himself Geoff Brierley, and finally part three next year as an all in one go effort.
Sadly on part one while in Wales in June with my Dad for the week so I could train there, my Dad passed away in his sleep at the farmhouse we were staying at, a farmhouse we had many happy stays at.
It was a shock to say the least, but he went in a place he dearly loved, peacefully, painlessly and thankfully both myself and my Brother were there that night at the accommodation and had had a great day and evening with him.
As you would expect I didn't get the entire W3k route done that week as planned, but I did get the Snowdon massif and the Glyderau massif done as training, and the time there helped me clear my head in a very difficult time.
As an avid trail runner who happens to love North Wales, I have been on several Focused Performance events there and have really loved every one. Geoff Brierley and his varying team of run leaders are excellent at making your stay and your adventure one to remember and the fellow guests are usually always really easy to get on with (Just don't mention football or politics) and often become new friends by the end of your event.
It was after one of those events while getting a lift home from Geoff himself, I suggested or asked if he could put on a Welsh 3000's event over one or two days so it could be attempted safely with a support team and with a guide who truly knew the route or routes available.
Geoff was keen as he has a history with the event or challenge as he managed to win his clubs version of it 7 years on the trot, no mean feat and he is rightly proud of it. Doing it over two days seemed the better option as it would allow a more varied group of participants with different fitness levels and mountain climbing abilities.
And as if by magic the Focused Performance Welsh Three Thousands Weekend was born!
Pre event preparation.....
As you would expect from an event like this, various information video's, zoom meetings and Facebook live events happened so that Geoff could relay vital advice to participants to help them prepare, train and turn up with the right gear etc.
We are ultimately responsible for our own fitness and abilities, but Geoff as a run coach also offered a monthly coaching service specifically for the event and it's physical challenges. It also gained you entry to the Facebook chat for the W3k itself, which was worth it just for the banter on that.
I did plenty of preparation myself as you would imagine as I was out there running sections of the route as training back in June and had done a few months of long runs in the local sand dunes range of the Sefton coastal range. I was hopeful this was enough, and that my time in Wales at the beginning of June would pay dividends.
Did I train enough? Would I survive day one of the event let alone day two? Would I get there in one piece as Geoff was driving?....
Day One - Friday the 2nd of July - Arrival day!
So Geoff as always was good enough to give me a lift to the event itself as I don't drive, which is a pain when it comes to actually getting to mountains to train as it's flat where I live.
I got a train from my home town to a train station nearer to Geoff on the day and we were promptly on our way to sunny North Wales!
The forecast for the weekend had taken a turn for the worse so the conversation on the way was mostly about that and what options there were, should weather make some sections impossible safety wise.
Ever the professional and responsible event organizer Geoff was concerned about client and guest safety as the group totalled at least 16 and that was excluding run leaders etc. The group would obviously be of mixed abilities and with mixed or different expectations of what lay ahead no doubt.
It was good to chat about the event itself and at least to offer feedback on what I thought as I have done a fair bit of the route itself on other long hard events and challenges in the area, including the GB Ultras 50 mile Snowdon ultra with over 15,755ft of climb, which is more than the W3K.
After a few tourist stops along the way we finally arrived at our destination the Arete Outdoor Centre in Llanrug. Amazingly the Arete outdoor centre was half a mile away from a caravan park I used to stay at as a kid, and literally one mile away from the spot I call Mums spot on the mountainside where her ashes are spread.
The Arete outdoor centre was also originally a junior school, and a junior school I almost ended up in as a child as our family considered moving there a long time ago. Talk about coincidences!
We got there while the cleaners were still hard at it with their cleaning and Covid secure cleaning etc so I had plenty of time to chill and eventually put my stuff in my room without being shot by the cleaners for walking across their still wet floor!
Geoff nipped of with chef for some last minute supply requirements as there had been a bit of a minor speed bump in the usual smooth ordering process and delivery etc. At least he shopped local, it all supports the local economy.
Not long after other guests started to arrive from 6pm onward and people slowly sought out their respective bunkbed rooms/dorms along with their sheets, pillow cases and duvet cover etc as it was a DIY job as you would expect with a cheaper accommodation. This was not going to be the usual luxury weekend, we were there to take on the Welsh 3000's along with what ever they threw at us!
What lay ahead? did we really expect to get any sleep? Was that rain we heard literally all night?
Day Two - Saturday the 3rd of July - The adventure starts!
We had had a decent meal on the first night at the accommodation and a surprisingly large amount of people had gone for the veggie option too which was good to see, as I'm vegan and plant based myself.
Now it was quick breakfast time and porridge, cereals, toast and coffee, tea or juice etc.
It was important to get as many calories in as possible for the day ahead.
On the Friday night Geoff had a sensible discussion with us all about plans for today, as the forecast wasn't good at all all day, and in particular the notoriously slippery when wet Crib Goch at Snowdon (there's a top song in there somewhere).
Along with the Crib Goch safety issue was the off route descent off the side of Snowdon itself, straight down into Nant Peris. This was not going to be possible in very wet conditions with a large group of people, even solo would be a serious individual risk. As we were already missing off Crib Goch etc it wasn't really an issue to leave the entire section.
As safety was always first, the decision was confirmed Saturday morning to miss the Snowdon massif out of our Welsh 3000's weekend and concentrate on getting through the other two big sections. They were equally going to be hard in wet conditions and the expected mist and cloud promised on the forecasts.
After breakfast we set off and all met up at the Nant Peris Park and ride, which was ideally placed and had ample parking at 8am or so.
We gathered for a group photo once we had managed to retrieve multiple escapees who kept disappearing to the nearby toilets. There were no public toilets up the mountains just 'very public' toilet stops. Not a good time to be wearing Hi-Viz.
Summit one - Elidir Fawr (3031ft).
Our first climb of the day was going to be one of the longest slogs we would take on and one I have done before and don't look forward too purely on a cardio fitness basis.
We set off up the mountain along a bit of a lane towards Elidir Fawr and we could see the start of it up ahead. I think it's best not to know what lays ahead here, but then again it all depends on how fast you are moving or how many breaks you take.
When I went up it a month ago I fast hiked and it was fairly hot and my heart rate maxed out. I was forced to stop for a breather ever 500ft or so. Today thankfully the pace was a group pace, so slower and therefore less strain on the good old cardio system.
Rain came out to play with us as we approached maybe 500ft up and crossed the bridge over the stream, so this was a convenient place to put on our waterproofs if you normally wear them. there were a few among us who must have been running in nuclear mode and were putting out so much heat they didn't use waterproofs, you know who you are lol.
Onward and upward we plodded with a few breaks along the way as we waited for the group to re-group a little before moving on again. We did this several times before getting to the start of the rocks and boulders that surround the summit. At this point Geoff let me go ahead as I knew the way and Geoff hung back for some of the others.
Once at the summit there was a welcome shelter for us all to have a breather and take photo's of the surrounding area. Luckily we occasionally got a clear spell to take the pictures, it was all about timing.
Summit two - Y Garn (3107ft)
Next summit was going to be Y Garn and I knew this was a bit of a slog too, but way shorter than Elidir as we were already up a mountain and not climbing up from a car park.
This is the key to a successful Welsh 3000's, planning the route in a way that you don't have to go all the way down the mountain before going up the next one.
We set off from Elidir towards Foel Goch which we would be skirting past and around and onto Y Garn. We managed to get a little trail running in here if wanted. It is technical in parts and footing really needs to be on point. It is really hard to do this at any kind of speed and you really need some faith in yourself, but slips are always possible or moving rocks etc.
We carried on with a bit of running and walking and the odd break and passed the side of Foel Goch with its steep sided peak which is quite easily recognised when you are out and about in the valley below.
Y Garn itself has it's own challenge, mainly it's scree approach to it's summit. This itself can be a slog and a challenge but thankfully not a long one.
Walking/hiking poles can come in handy for stuff like this just to save the pressure on the legs a bit. Especially helpful on scree too so you can stop yourself sliding down again lol.
It didn't take that long for us all to get to the top and we timed it just right to get a few pictures as the cloud rolled by again. It was now pitstop and snack time!
Summit three - Glyder Fawr (3284ft)
Next was the descent down from Y Garn and it's zig zagging stony path. Geoff lead from the front with flailing poles in air as he skied down the slope without the need of snow!
I took a more cautious approach as my knees can't take a lot of impact without causing inflammation issues, so I descended slower but then sped up as the steepness eased off a little. I still managed to get to the bottom of the descent at the same time as the rather rapid front runner Stewart, Geoff had already stopped halfway down to aid others in their descent.
We all had a breather at the lake Llyn y Cwn and then set of up the next tough challenge, which is the Glyerdau scree ascent up to Glyder Fawr, the highest peak in the Glyderau range.
This was a tough slip slidey ascent with poles, so I can't imagine what it was like without them and we were given instructions to shout 'Below!' if we dislodged any biggish stones that could cause any serious damage as it gained momentum down to the people below us.
The rain reappeared as we got nearer the top and I struggled to get my waterproof back on over my back pack etc but was determined to get it done without taking my back pack off etc. Thankfully a kind fellow guest helped me roll it over my back pack as it wasn't possible on my own.
Visibility now was becoming very limited near the top and as the approach prior to the peak is pretty wide it is a prime candidate for getting lost and missing the peak if you didn't have knowledge of the peak itself. But we had Geoff so we were alright, I think lol.
Geoff took the extended zig zag route to give the group chance to all catch up on the ascent as it was getting really claggy and misty and visibility was officially pants, and not even hot pants at that!
We got there safely in the end and regrouped in the mizzle and got a few cloudy pics, or partial group shots as I was well gone trying to drop the hint to keep moving, as was Geoff , keen to keep us moving.
Summit four - Glyder Fach (3261ft)
I'll be honest, the entire trip to the next peak was a mizzly blur as you couldn't see more than maybe 30ft ahead at this point so we had to try and stay as a group as much as possible. It got a bit frustrating as you tried to move at your own pace, but then needed to stop to regroup, but for safety sake this was the need on the day on this section as it is very common for people to get lost on the Glyders in fog, drizzle or rain etc, so running or moving in separate groups wouldn't be a good idea as you could lose sight of the other groups.
The important thing was to wear enough layers so that you don't become a liability for the group if you suddenly lose body temperature and can't warm up. Even I struggled at one point and when we had a sheltered stop, used the opportunity to stick my extra base layer on and replace my cap with a woolly hat to keep some heat in.
We used the stop for a quick food break too as it wasn't going to be long before we hit Tryfan and that was going to be a slow climb. It was also time for a 'natural ' toilet stop for me, trying to hide from view whilst wearing a luminous orange hat!
Spirits seemed to be running high even though the conditions were poor and you couldn't see any scenery to photograph. You can tell this when looking back at photos as I didn't have a single picture of Glyder Fawr or Fach or the transition between the two.
Shortly after the sheltered stop we had the final bouldering climb up to the summit of Glyder Fach which is easily missable in the mist, and even Geoff had to check and recheck the route several times, and we spotted a fair few souls wandering around up and around there.
Once at the summit you had the option of climbing up the big wet boulders to the actual top to touch it, or just being content being safely at it's base. As far as I know we all went for the safer option.
Once beyond the summit of Glyder Fach we headed towards Tryfan, but not before the next adventure the 'Bristly scree descent'.
We had originally planned to take the long way round this section, but Geoff decided we could take this on to save a little time at the very least as people would be getting wet and cold, and I agreed that I think we could all manage it, as I had done a month earlier on my own.
So off down the bristly scree descent we went off down the rock and scree, and I asked Geoff if I could take the route I took last time a little further to the left. I would remain within 20-30ft or so diagonally from the group so he could still shout me and me him, Geoff agreed thankfully.
I had found a decent line down a month ago by holding on to the rocks etc and using all my hands and feet to climb down safely. I preferred this to being in the middle of a group and slip sliding down the more gravelly route.
It worked well as I got ahead and had time to chat to a couple of guys coming up the same route and I then waited for Geoff and the group to appear out of the mist before getting the go ahead to continue on to the bottom and wait.
I'm guessing everyone was having fun and concentrating hard on this section as I could hear the jokes and the laughs and giggles as they all descended.
After a while everyone was safely down and perfectly distracted by what was difficult weather and we all had a little break again and another group photo to raise spirits before setting off for our final ascent of the day, the mighty Tryfan!
Summit five - Tryfan (3010ft)
Off we set again towards Tryfans south peak which you go around as opposed to over and then head up a fairly difficult slog up to the gap between North peak and South peak.
The slog up was a bit easier this time than last for some reason and those of us at the front had a little breather while waiting for Geoff and the others to lead us on up the rest of Tryfan.
Things got a little misty here again and you couldn't see much around you, other than the choice of route you were taking. There was no path, mountain climbing up rocky mountains doesn't have that convenience. If there is one thing we learned is that you have to seek out the route carefully and commit to it, especially with people behind you.
It is for this reason going on events and trips with Focused Performance is a good call, as your safety is paramount to them and they have the experience necessary to get us all from A to B safely. I for one was thankful not to be responsible for everyone, never mind myself.
Upward we continued slowly but surely and there was plenty of all hands on deck climbing going on and it wasn't long until we got to the larger boulder sections near the summit. Geoff had a more direct route to save time here which was more difficult, but fun to say the least.
Once past the big boulders we waited to re-group just prior to the summit, just where it was apparent a sheer drop was just to the right of our final bit to climb. Even I was wary of this bit and could see it being a bit spooky for a few of us. Geoff stood at the top and I tried to sit to one side of the edge to distract a little, and no matter how many times you say 'don't look down' people still look. Some of our faces were priceless, but seeing people get past their fears and go beyond that point was priceless too.
We were now at the summit and Adam and Eve was the focus as we took turns in touching the summit, no fool hardy jumping from Adam to Eve or Eve to Adam today, not in the wet and mizzle!
Next was the decent down off Tryfan and it was going to be the West face descent. On a dry day this is a fair challenge but I have got to say the descent of choice for time etc. It looked ropey but certainly doable as a group and preferable to the other descents were you can't keep track of everyone.
We set off down and the first section was worst as the gap between hand and footholds was probably at it's biggest, plus you tend to go down facing forwards and almost on your backside at points.
The backside slides became more the choice of descent for many on the latter stages of this descent I heard and I could hear the giggles from the back at the front and references to being snipered before you fell abruptly on your ass.
Once halfway down we came across the steps, but the off and on steps were slipperier than the rest to be fair. A false sense of security is often garnered on steps like this so beware, all is not as it seems.
We also saw some mountain goats on the descent, I was oblivious and Kerri suddenly shouted excitedly 'Look!' I looked and couldn't see anything as I didn't even know what I was looking for. 'What?' I said, still not knowing what I was supposed to be looking at. (I was expecting 'Look, I can see the pub from here!' at the very least). 'Look, goats!' she said. So I stopped and we all took a few pictures of the bemused goats.
As we finally reached the end of todays route and reached the car park we had been looking at for literally the last hour on our descent, we realised it wasn't actually an optical illusion, as I had personally been sure the car park was moving further away every time I looked!
The last section was slippery too, and we became conscious that our beloved support team were filming our final bit of descent and it was odds on one of us was going to slip on the final stretch on camera.
I was walking slowly as my knees were now a little sore and the days toils were taking effect, the kind of time when you almost relax a little too much or lose concentration and then slip on your ass!
Finally down, the rain came out to play again and did it's best to dampen spirits again, but you can't stand around waiting in the rain as you lose your body heat, but thankfully the support teams cars were all ready and waiting to keep us dry and warm. I for one went straight too one just while it rained.
One by one we all descended safely along with our trusty leader and run leaders and once all together again we split into our respective support cars.
What was the days next adventure going to be? Well getting all the support cars home would be a start. We didn't get lost in the mountains, but the trip home was adventurous as Geoff had sped off as he does like Speedy Gonzalez leaving a trail of sat nav seeking support team in his wake!
You will glad to know, we all got home in one piece and enjoyed the scenic routes home and by now we were well looking forward to that evenings meal time treats from Chef Alfie!
All that we needed to do now was recover from the days adventures and recuperate ready for the next days slog. Obviously we would do this with sensible hydration! Who am I kidding, the England match was on and there was a desperate plan ahead to get it on the outdoors centres TV that didn't have reception!
Some went to the local pubs and braved the locals and the rest stayed in the lounge and watched the match, some with alcohol, some without. As you would expect as I knew what lay ahead tomorrow I just drank recovery drinks and coffee and lots of food along with my chill pill which someone suggested earlier in the week that I should take while the match is on.
Social Anxiety along with recent bereavement sucks and words can hurt and have serious consequences sometimes, so please be careful what you say to strangers folks, you don't know what they may be going through.
What would tomorrow bring? Who would have a hangover? What will the weather bring? Would we all survive another day of Geoff's jokes? Are we really going up that b*stard mountain tomorrow??
To be continued in Part Two..
Part two available here :
https://fitnesswithgru.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-weekend-with-focused-performance_20.html
Love this Les! Thank you so much for taking the time to pen your thoughts down and by so-doing, provide us all with some wonderful memories of a fantastic weekend :-)
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