Snowdon Challenge

Level of Difficulty

The Snowdon Challenge is graded as challenging. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind and who wish to push themselves in one of the UK's most iconic landscapes. You can tell your supporters that on your Snowdon Challenge you will be:
•    Trekking for around 7-8 hours in a single day.
•    Covering 15km of mountainous terrain.
•    Trekking without support, carrying all your food and water for the entire day.
•    Ascend 1000m in a single day.
•    Summiting one of the UK's highest mountains, and the highest peak in Wales!

Clothing and Equipment

Good quality and durable equipment could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use a strong pair of canvas or leather boots with good ankle support for this challenge, coupled with a pair of good quality walking socks. Trainers are not suitable. The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated - so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are high quality gore-tex waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, as well as technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. We would like to emphasize that jeans should not be worn on this challenge. A full kit list for this challenge can be found here. Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoorhire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Training

This challenge is a great adventure that will have you trekking up and down the highest mountain in Wales over one day, therefore requiring a moderate to good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, hill walking. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the hills, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 2-4 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Remember to use the walking boots that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in, and take the daysack that you will be using during the challenge.

There is no substitute for walking in the hills so try if possible to get out on a weekend and train in an area with steep hills. You should progress to training with your boots on from week 4 at the latest, but preferably from week 1. The more you exercise before the expedition, the more you will get out of it.

Money

During the trek there are 2 points on the route where you are able to buy snacks and drinks. You therefore may like to bring some money to use at these opportunities.

Group size

This challenge will have a minimum group size of 20 people.

The aim of this challenge is to support each other to reach the summit, and descend. This challenge will not be run as a race and it is unsuitable to anyone wishing to see this as an individual challenge against the clock.

During the course of the trek it is very likely that you will split into smaller groups, but at all times you will be accompanied by one of our qualified mountain leaders.

Leadership

We employ experienced and fully qualified mountain expedition leaders to accompany and lead you. The mountain leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading expeditions throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times.

Weather

As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! We run UK challenges between April and October, and although the summer months of June-August should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for all weathers, including warm and sunny temperatures as well as wind and sudden downpours.

It is important to remember that the weather on the mountain is likely to be evry different to that down at the bottom. Therefore please alwasy ensure that you carry all of the kit listed as essential on your kit list.

Terrain

This challenge takes place on a well maintained footpath. However, the path is rocky in places and can be slippy if wet. Certain sections of the path are steeper than others but there are no sections that require you to use your hands to scramble.

Challenge Timings

Precise timings and a metting location will be sent in your Final Details docuemnt 1 month before the challenge.

You can expect to need to arrive at your challenge accommodation in Llanberis by  the early evening (by 8pm). Here you will meet your fellow challengers and leaders and have the challenge safety briefing.

Please note that this evenings meal is not included in the challenge. Food is available at the accommodation.

Your day begins with an early breakfast, and time to prepare for the challenge ahead. The challenge itself commences at approximately 9am.
Walking times on the mountain can vary enormously, but you should expect it to take approximately 7-8 hours. You will finish back where you started in Llanberis at approximately 5pm.

If you are travelling by public transport then please try to book a flexible ticket in case you finish earlier or later.

N.B. Although this is the planned time for finishing delays can happen.We highly recommend that you try not to travel until you have given yourself time to recover and rest after the challenge. Please consider staying an extra night in the area.

Getting there

You should plan to arrive for 8pm on the evening before the challenge. The precise location of the accommodation will be given in your Final Details information 1 month prior to the challenge departure.

You will be staying in a local accommodation close to or in the village of Llanberis.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in same-sex dormitories at a local hostel in or very close to Llanberis. You can expect typical hostel style accommodation, with shared bathrooms. Bedding is provided for you.

We encourage everyone to see the hostel as part of the challenge!

Food and Drink

On your arrival into Llanberis, there will be a welcome meal for you on the Thursday evening.

You will then be provided with breakfast on the morning of your challenge, and a packed lunch during the day. There will also be snacks an ability to fill up your water bottles before the challenge.

Toilets

There will be toilet facilities at the start of the trek and at certain locations along the way. However, these toilets are frequently closed or unavailable so please be prepared to have to use more natural facilites.

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!

Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

•     The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your walking boots have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.

•     The weather on the summits of the hills can be very different to down in the valleys. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket and trousers and a hat and gloves.  

•     7-8 hours is a long time to be out on the hills. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.

Emergencies

Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. This team will always keep the group together for maximum safety.