Tryfan, final peak in the Oggie 8 Challenge

Fancy a stroll in Snowdonia aided by the warm glow of knowing you’re helping fund mountain rescue?

OK, the Oggie 8 Challenge is a bit more than a stroll. It’s a 23.4km (14½-mile) walk or run, involving more than 2,000m (6,560ft) of ascent. The route takes in eight 3,000-footers in the Ogwen Valley and is a fundraiser for the area’s mountain rescue team.

This year will see the third running of the event, organised by the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. The challenge is open to teams of four, with each member expected to raise at least £25 for the rescue team in sponsorship.

The route starts at the OVMRO headquarters and takes in Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewellyn, Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Ole Wen, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan. Bristly Ridge and Tryfan’s north ridge are off limits – after all, it’s meant to be a fundraiser for the rescuers, not to provide them with business.

The event will take place on Saturday 7 August this year. The organisers stress it’s not strictly speaking a race, but as a guide, the fastest team completed last year’s event, held in ideal conditions, in 6hrs 52min. 21 teams completed the course, the last coming in in a time of 12hrs 7min.

Details of the challenge are on the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue website. The route and mapping is also available on grough route – just key ‘Oggie’ into a route search.