Welsh 3000's - Getting back to Llanberis from Foel Fras?

Hi

I would like to hear from any interested/experienced persons who can offer some advice on the best way back to Llanberis, Gwynedd from Foel Fras after the Welsh 3000's walk.

I'm aware of the various routes off the hill, but am interested in how a self-reliant - i.e. no support vehicle - walker can best return to Llanberis at about 7-10pm. Are there any taxi cab firms operating in Aber at that time of the evening, etc?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Short answer... I don't know.

If I was aiming to complete a round of the Welsh 3000s, I'd make sure that I didn't have to return to my starting point. Some people don't think like that, though, such as the guy who parked at Edale, walked the Pennine Way, then griped about how awkward it was to get back to Edale from Kirk Yetholm so that he could drive home again!

There's very little except a cafe and a pine furniture maker in Aber itself, and certainly no taxi rank. Not sure there's a payphone.  

There are plenty of Taxis available in Caernarfon / Bangor area, but problem with that plan is that you may not have telephone contact after you drop down off Foel Fras / Drum - I certainly don't usually have reception at either the top (Anafon) carpark or the falls carpark. Aber itself should be better but extends the walk quite a way, and on hard tarmac that your legs won't appreciate.

Were you planning on starting at the base of Snowdon the same morning, or bivvying overnight near the cafe? If you're staying over night it might be easier to get a taxi to meet you at either the Anafon carpark or at Bwlch y ddeufaen the day before, leave your car there, and get the taxi to take you up to Pen y gwryd. That way you can also leave change of clothes/shoes and rations in the car which will be a welcome relief when you get off the hill, rather than having to sit possibly cold, wet, sore and smelly in a taxi for half an hour. 

Hi Kelvin,

I agree totally; I had assumed above some time / fitness constraints.

My 3000's attempts this year will almost certainly be over 3 days with car left somewhere near the base of Tryfan and aiming to go over bochlwyd-Bwlch tryfan- miner's track(s) to Snowdon Bivvi on night I, then doing 3000's route and if necessary bivvying on the Carneddau night II, then returning to the car on the third day.

Apart from the general logistic advantages, that leaves the car in a good place as a supplies dump, and a good spot in case the attempt is abandoned  either at the start (have done this before or at the foot of Pen Yr Ole (the time when you feel weakest and most demoralised!), and allows plenty of scope for enjoyable hill days if when you get to the parking spot you find the weather precludes the "Crib Goch" factor..... 

My only worry with that is that when I've done the 3000s before, I really wouldn't want have wanted to do any walking the following day - needs serious hill fitness to do.

You can get the number 5 bus from Aber to Bangor or Caernarfon. From Bangor you get the 86 to Llanberis, and from Caernarfon it's the 88. All those buses should run reasonably late, as they're dedicated local services, not Sherpa buses.

Timetables are on the Gwynedd council website.

mattsccm wrote (see)

For your trip I would park up early and hitch across. Time isn't really as important that day, especially as it looks like you are doing short days.

LOL......

The Welsh 3000's record is under 4 1/2 hours so yes, potentially a short day.......BUT....... it is >30 miles and >11,000 feet of ascent ! An average walker's time seems around 12 hours peak to peak or ?17h base to base.

Wouldn't really want to add morning hitching time onto that, especially when the only main road nearby is the A55 ! 

Cycling would definitely be an option though.

mattsccm wrote (see)

12 hours walking. Fair enough.  Adding 5 for the distance from the tops to the start etc seems a bit much.   Why count the time hitching, there is no effort there. Less effort than cycling , especially with a sack on your back and then you have to return to fetch the bike.

That was my timings last time , and I know several others (including in threads on here) that have made the same times (or slower). My objection to hitching is nothing to do with the 'effort' but all to do with the unpredictability of getting a ride - especially if you want to be getting to Pen y Pass for 4-5am to allow the full route (with safety margin) in daylight. 

For footwear - all down to personal preference and what you're used to walking long distances in - I've done it in light leather walking boots in the past (actually the original Hillmaster before Brasher became an established brand), but now would definitely go for lightweight trail / fell running shoes - Inov8 Rocklites are my personal choice - but then unless I'm likely to want crampons they are what I always wear on the mountains - I find 'ankle support' a very overrated concept.

As for fitness - it is a serious undertaking and needs a high level of general fitness but I agree that "Hill not Gym" is important (and lots of regular hill trips should help avoid blisters on the day) and also that the mental fitness to start up Pen yr Ole (or even worse on a N-S route to start up Crib goch from Nant peris) is just as difficult.   

Well lets see, I'm sure that plenty of people have almost run this thing in all sorts of fell shoes

Wild cat sole unit looks fine unless you get tons of mud. Assuming the grip on rock is reasonable which I'd expect but no way to tell. 

Do try and properly check the fit on a long walk or two. If there are any pressure points you'll really stress them over this sort of distance.

Thanks for your replies

Thanks especially Mike Peacock for the info on the bus from Aber. I could even get a cab from Bangor, if necessary.

For the record, I'll be B&Bing for 5 nights in Llanberis at the end of April and hoping for a shot at the Welsh Threes then, weather permitting  The plan is to do a steady 3am ascent up the Llanberis path for a 6am start.

Never attempted anything like this before. My longest previous walk was from the foot of the Watkin Path to Moel Eilio and down to Llanberis, via Yr Aran, South ridge & Snowdon. I'm familiar with Crib Goch and the Glyders, but not with the Carneddau - hence the need for GOOD weather. I'm also sensible enough to know when to walk away.

Fitness level is good - I have a 1:38 half-marathon time, although I do appreciate that this is long-distance HILL-walking.

I've done quite a bit of research already - with more to do - so hopefully, I won't become a MR statistic

Thanks again.

brett james wrote (see)

Thnx fore the replys,lucky for me kelvin i am used to standing all day and up and down ladders all day too.i hadnt thought of using trail running shoes, i have a pair of la sportiva wildcats http://www.sportiva.com/products/footwear/mountain-running/wildcat i have only ever worn boots in the mountains think these would be ok?

Get them on and try them. Only way to know if it'd suit you.

10k Star wrote (see)

The plan is to do a steady 3am ascent up the Llanberis path for a 6am start.

I'm familiar with Crib Goch and the Glyders, but not with the Carneddau - hence the need for GOOD weather.

You want 'GOOD but not too GOOD' ..... one of the classic 3000s logistical problems - navigation on the Carneddau is easy if there are clear blue skies BUT you'll find the day is likely to get far too hot and hydration / fatigue are much more serious problems if there isn't at least a bit of cloud..... but then Carneddau navigation can get tricky in the mist if you don't know them.

Finding the path (or the discontinuous bits of path) on the Carnedd Dafydd to Yr Elen stage, finding the summit cairn on Carnedd Llewelyn and finding Carnedd uchaf (Gwenllian) are particular issues if you have never been up there before.

If you're not sure where you're going navigating off Foel Fras is easier in mist / dark if you head to Bwlch y ddeufaen as you just have to keep the wall/fence/wall on your right hand side and you can't get lost.

Weather permitting I will be doing this Weds next week (I was going to drop my car off at the end then get a taxi to the beginning)..... but if its too bad then I will be postponing it to the end of June....

I'll let you know after next week.

Krish said,

 Is there anyone who is planning to do this route in June/July this year? I'd be interested to link up and have the luxury of a car at both ends of the route!
Krish

    Myself and at least one other intend traversing the Welsh 3000 on option 1 the 20/21 June, or option 2 the 27/28 June, starting Snowdon 6am approx and hopefully arriving Foel Fras give or take 14hrs later. Have completed this route twice previously.

    If still interested post a response & PM me with some contact details.

     Dave