24 miles which will actually be more like 30 and ascent of near 4000m all in under 24 hours is certainly a huge challenge for all but the mountain elite. I have been fortunate to traverse all of the 3000ft peaks of Wales a number of times in different styles and with different aims.
Most recently in May this year when I set my PB at 10hrs and 10 min from the summit of Snowdon to the top of Foel Fras. This was a far cry from my first attempt back in the mid naughties where we had to bail after Glyder Fach due to shear exhaustion. The over enthusiasm of youth combined with a punishing 17kg burden on my back resulted in what I still regard as one my toughest days on the hill.
The 3000 challenge is not for the faint of heart as whichever route you take it must cross the ridge of Crib Goch. It can’t be finished with pure grit alone either and is certainly a much harder physical challenge than the national 3 peaks. That said it crosses incredible terrain with stunning scenery. If you’re not fussed about setting records it can done north to south taking in the 3 top grade 1 scrambles in certainly North Wales if not the whole UK.
For those who want to enjoy the route there is also the option of breaking it down into a multi day event with hostel stays or even wild camping for one or two nights. This can provide one of the best high mountain expeditions available in the UK and is exactly what I organised a couple of years ago for some friends to support the Henry Allen Trust. We had an incredible few days on the hill and raised nearly £5000 for an amazing cause. One of the team produced a video of the trip which can be viewed here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RglUhlo6D-k
So the Welsh 3000 challenge can be different things to different people but whichever way it is attempted it will always be memorable. If you do give it a go then keep in mind the record time was broken this year by Finley Wild who completed it in a barely believable 4hrs 10min.