Welsh 3000s Attempt Aborted Due to Early Monsoon

Despite valiant efforts by two determined assault teams, the OUTDOORSmagic Welsh 3000s completed two-thirds of the course before admitting defeat

Rain slanting down from a slate-grey sky, buffeting gale-force winds battering the sides of the summit station, the thumping of the electric generator vibrating the concrete platform - yes, it's midsummer night on Snowdon, and things have not started well for the OUTDOORSmagic Welsh 3000 Mountains Madness team.

Before the deluge... Ben, Alex and Simon prepare to leave Pen y Pas for the slog up the Miners Track

The advance party of Alex, Ben and Simon reached their intended bivvy site on schedule, but almost immediately concluded that a night out in the open promised little in the way of sleep in the prevailing conditions. Already soaked to the skin, and dangerously close to the end of the maltloaf, the decision was taken to descend the Llanberis path, effectively ending their attepmt by missing out Crib Goch and Carnedd Ugain. "No mountain is worth a life" said Team Leader Alex Ford. "The mountains will still be here next year. I know you've spent your life savings getting here, but I couldn't live with myself if I had to tell Ben's mum any bad news."

By midnight, the advance party were negotiating the tricky ground down Llanberis High St, hoping to find a taxi. Eventually locating a driver prepared to take on the extraordinary journey to Dol Gam camp site ten miles away, without informing his next of kin, and even turning down an invitation from two passing supermodels cruising the streets of Llanberis looking for three blokes in wet walking gear to take to an all-night celebrity party, we made it back to Base Camp, our hopes and dreams shattered by the charge of £17 for the taxi fare.

James, Simon and Lloyd below Cwm Glas, Snowdon refuelled and gagging for Elidir Fawr

At 3.30 am, Lloyd and James departed from Pen Y Pass in the worst weather conditions since records began. Frost bite was a real concern, but they continued, arriving at the end of Crib Goch north ridge on schedule at 7.00 - unfortunately, already disorientated by the swirling Welsh mist, they got lost above Cwm Glas, and further time was lost on the ascent of Elidr Fawr when Simon was forced to become detached from the party. "I'll only slow you down - you'd better shoot me," he said, but after consuming six more banana-flavour energy gels, was able to continue at a more leisurely pace.

The support team were able to rendezvous with Lloyd and James on Y Garn, although had better things to do than wait for Simon to arrive, so he was forced to plod on without his pole for the rest of the day. By now, there was a very real danger that the team would not complete the route before the pubs shut, so a decision was taken to bail out after descending Tryfan. Obviously this had nothing to do with the deeply uninviting prospect of trudging up Pen Yr Ole Wen, followed by another six hours of plodding over the Carneddau.

Simon waits tragically for the support team who'd already run away in the face of blurry conditions.

The team assembled at the Tyn Y Coed for a debriefing on the day's event. It was agreed that the Greater Snowdon Traverse achieved by the advance party in the atrocious weather conditions of Friday night more than compensated for the missing seven peaks, and there was probably no need to trouble our sponsors with this minor detail.

A small amount of alcohol was consumed in celebration, and the team agreed to make another attempt next year, provided the Met Office could guarantee 14 hours of uninterrupted sunshine. "We'll be back next year, no question," said Alex, "Only better prepared, and with more energy gel in case we meet those girls in Llanberis again."