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Challenge: Jove Club Welsh 3000s


We run this once a year. You've been thinking about it long enough.

15 peaks. ~45km. One determined group. 5-7 June 2026.

There's a version of this weekend where you're at home on a Saturday, doing nothing in particular.

Maybe you’re out for another bottomless brunch or listening to ‘Strava Steve’ brag about his 5km time, and this is happening without you.

And there's a version where you're somewhere on the final mountain range at dusk, close to exhaustion, with every fibre of your body telling you to stop.

But you’re still moving… next to people who were strangers only 24 hours ago and fast becoming friends you’ve shared one almighty experience with.

Both versions of June exist. Only one of them requires you to take action today.


The Challenge

All 15 of Wales's 3,000-foot peaks. Linked on-foot. Continuous. One push.

  • ~45km of mountain terrain

  • ~3,800m+ of total elevation gain

  • 13–24 hours on your feet, depending on conditions and the group

  • Three mountain ranges: the Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) range, the Glyderau, and the Carneddau

  • Technical Grade 1 scrambling on Crib Goch — one of the most dramatic ridge lines in Britain

This is one of the hardest mountain days available in the UK. Not many people attempt it and even fewer actually complete it.

However, for the right people and the correct preparation - it’s achievable.

The Route

45km, 15 peaks and over 3,200m of elevation (plus another 600m to the top of the first peak)


Why we Only Run This Once a Year

We get asked this a lot. There are two parts of to the answer.

Firstly, a lot of work and thought goes into making this trip happen from logistics to finding the right guides (that’s very important to us - we don’t want ‘anyone’) as well as the right participants who we feel have a chance of success.

We’ll generally start speaking to people weeks before the event about kit, preparation and what to expect.

The majority of providers will offer lots of dates every year and churn this event out with the lowest effort possible. You turn up at the start line. You say bye at the end - that’s it.

What they can't give you is the arc - the build up from the moment you book to the Sunday morning debrief over a hostel fry up...

That's what makes the difference between a hard day in the mountains and something you'll still be talking about in years to come.

We run it once because building it properly takes everything we've got. The June 2026 Welsh 3000s is the only time this specific group, with this specific preparation, on this specific weekend, will ever exist.

Secondly, we want it to feel truly special. This is not just a highly commercialised trip - it’s an experience we want to share with you.

By only doing once a year, we’re even more invested in getting you to the finish line.

So when it's full, it's gone. When June passes, it's gone for another year.


What the Last Group Said:

‘I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July this year (2025) and it was unreal! Freddie is a fantastic leader, he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome.’ - Emily

‘Doing the Welsh 3000s with Jove Club was an awesome experience! It was so well organised and great to experience with other people.’ - Vito

‘The July '25 Welsh 3000s experience was a highlight of my year and typical for what I've come to expect from Jove Club: a challenge and an adventure, but achievable with Freddie's leadership style which adjusts to the circumstances and skills of the group and focuses on enjoying the great outdoors. And with a Jove outing you can expect a fun and welcoming crew!’ - Sally


The People you’ll do it With (Freddie’s words)

“There's a reason soldiers and elite rugby players will put their bodies on the line for the person next to them.

Psychologists have studied it. Shared hardship and experience produces a kind of bond that years of normal friendship rarely matches.

As a former Royal Marine and someone who has also spent the last 8 years going through the London corporate mill - I’ve seen this first-hand.

No run club, ‘work family’ or drinking session can come close the value of shared hardship.

17 hours on a mountain going through constant highs and lows strips the small talk away entirely.

Every person on this trip has gone through the same application process as you. I review mountain experience personally and I do sometimes turn people down - not to be harsh, but because the quality of the experience depends on people having a chance of success.

The result is 8–14 people who are roughly at your level - all with a chance of success.


Why Join This Challenge?

This is your chance to put your mountain skills and fitness to the test. Forget Hyrox and parkruns - this is a serious test of endurance in the elements that will likely push you to new limits.

Completing a challenge like this will give you a new sense of confidence in mountain environments.

More than the challenge aspect, you’ll forge real bonds with people through shared adversity and get to see the true beauty of Snowdonia!


Trip Itinerary (Overview)

Day 1 (Friday):

  • Arrival in Llanberis (or the hostel depending on when you get there)

  • Team dinner

  • Briefing and equipment check

  • Overnight stay location (YHA Pen y Pass)

  • Detailed route planning and weather assessment

  • Rest before the challenge

Briefing the Route

We make sure we give you as much information as possible so you always know what to expect.


Setting off Before Dawn

We start this challenge early to make the most of daylight!

Days 2-3 (Saturday possibly into Sunday): Challenge Day

  • Starting early, tackle the three main mountain groups:

    • Eryri Massif

    • Glyderau Range

    • Carneddau Mountains

  • Navigate technical terrain including Crib Goch

  • Experience some of Wales' most dramatic ridge lines

  • Test your endurance across multiple summits

  • If we have a time, a well earned celebratory meal!

Crib Goch at Sunrise

The most technical part of the route - we were very lucky on our last trip to have amazing weather!


The Carneddau at Sunset

Be prepared to go into the night!

Day 3 (Sunday):

  • Rest at accommodation (we may not finish until the early hours)

  • Normally we’d be celebrating with a pint and team dinner… But a YHA fry up and a chance to reflect on what we’ve done is the perfect way to end the trip


What's Included

  • 2 nights at YHA Pen-y-Pass - the most iconic and popular mountain hostel in Snowdonia, right at the trailhead

  • Qualified Mountain Leaders for the full challenge - maximum 1:6 ratio (1:4 for Crib Goch), certified to ML and Outdoor First Aid standard

  • Dedicated support crew meeting the group at key checkpoints through the day and night with food, water, and emergency kit

  • Pizza lunch + full resupply at the Llyn Ogwen checkpoint - ask anyone who's done it what that pizza tastes like at hour ten!

  • Breakfast on Sunday morning after the challenge - debrief over a YHA fryup

  • Return transport from the finish point back to Pen-y-Pass

  • Months of preparation support - WhatsApp group with Freddie from the moment you book. We’ll give you kit guidance and training advice


What's not Included:

  • ❌ Transport to/from Eryri

  • ❌ Personal equipment and clothing

  • ❌ Meals and snacks outside of the above

  • ❌ Mountain weather guarantees!

The End

Our last trip took around 21 hours in extreme heat - although this is a challenge, it’s not a race… be prepared to take as long as needed.


A Note on Safety

Crib Goch: The most technically demanding section of the route - a narrow, exposed ridge with significant drop-offs.

It’s not hard to do but can feel very exposed at points. If conditions make it unsafe (heavy rain, strong winds), your guide will reroute via the path alongside.

This decision is non-negotiable and theirs alone based on years of experience. It makes no difference at all to the challenge - although Crib Goch is one of the peaks, it’s really just another route to the summit of Snowdon. Distance and total elevation will be broadly the same.

Llyn Ogwen assessment: If your guide believes the final leg will push the group beyond 24 hours, we assess the situation honestly at the checkpoint. We will never pressure anyone past safe limits to tick a box.

This is a serious mountain challenge. We treat it like one.


The Cost

£395 per person.

Two nights at YHA Pen-y-Pass. Qualified guides for the full challenge. Checkpoint support crew through the night. Hot food and resupply on the mountain. Sunday breakfast. Preparation support from the moment you book.


One Last Thing

We only run this once a year.

The June 2026 Welsh 3000s - this group, this date, this experience - will never be assembled again. When it's full, it's full. When June passes, it's another twelve months.

This will be one of our biggest and best trips of the year.


Is this for you?

It is if:

  • You have real mountain experience - not necessarily this route, but time in the UK hills in mountain weather.

  • You're comfortable on exposed terrain and relatively unfazed by scrambling.

  • Your fitness is genuinely strong - we don’t need you to be Hyrox legends, have a six-pack or run ultramarathons every weekend… you do need to fit enough to sustain up to 24 hours on your feet at a conversational pace in potentially challenging mountain conditions.

  • You want to test yourself on one of the hardest mountain challenges in the UK.

It isn't if:

  • You've never been in the mountains in bad weather - it’s the biggest reason why people fail.

  • You've only trained indoors - it doesn’t matter if you live in a city (Jove Club is London based…) but if all your training has been in a plush gym, you’ll really struggle.

  • You're looking for a casual weekend! We' start early and finish late - it’s a very tough event.

There's no judgment in either direction. We run trips for every level.

This one is for people who have some experience in the mountains and want to push themselves on something new.

If you’re unsure - get your application in and we can help you decide.


Keen?

Apply below - we’ll review each application within 24 hours


Kit List

Mountain Gear:

  • Boots or approach shoes

  • Trail shoes - we strongly recommend boots/approach shoes for the first half where the terrain is technical then switching to comfy trail shoes the last mountain range

  • Gaiters (optional/weather dependent)

  • Three pairs of walking socks - why three? You’ll start in one, and then have two stops where you have an opportunity to change

  • Walking trousers - you can wear shorts but bear in mind, it is much colder at the summit of any mountain!

  • Thermal top / base layer / t-shirt - depending on weather. We' would also recommend some spares in to be kept with the support team in case you get wet and want to change

  • Warm layers - would recommend a fleece + lightweight down jacket

  • Soft shell / windbreak - if it’s dry, you might spend all day in it

  • Waterproof jacket + trousers

  • Snacks and water - depending on weather, you may need 2-3L of water per mountain range. We’ll replenish you with water, flapjacks, sweets, pizza at the stops!

  • Personal first aid kit

  • Survival bag (small foil blanket)

  • Baseball cap or sun hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Sun cream

  • Two/three pairs of gloves - in June!? YES. Again it’s weather dependent but you’d be very surprised how cold it can be in the mountains even then - if it’s raining, having dry spares will change your day!

  • Warm hat

  • Walking poles (optional but recommended!)

  • Ruck sack ~25/35L

  • Waterproof liner

  • Headtorch + spare batteries (if you have a 2nd head torch, bring it along)

  • Charging block

  • Midge repellent

  • Any medication you need

  • Whistle

  • Helmet - this is just for parts of the very first section (Crib Goch). We will provide a helmet for everyone but if you have your own, do bring it as it will likely fit better/be more comfortable!

General:

  • Personal items (toiletries, medications, etc.)

  • Towel (although you can hire in the hostels)

  • Comfortable clothes for the evenings/travel

  • Recommend eye mask and ear plugs for the hostel

  • Would recommend a pair of sandals or flip flops or any other comfy shoes for post challenge!

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Academy: Mountain Hiking Skills - Lake District

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1 August

Expedition: Scottish Highlands - Level 1: Highland Hootenanny