The 54th OMM - The TOUGHEST Backpacking & Wild Camping Event in the UK

We took part in the 54th edition of The OMM. The Original Mountain Marathon was held in Snowdonia National Park this year. The 2023 OMM consists of hiking, backpacking and wild camping in Eryri. You must carry all your backpacking gear including items on the mandatory kit list.
The OMM 2023 start point was Bethesda, North Snowdonia. All hiking was in the Carneddau and the Ogwen Valley. The wild camp was just north of Llyn Ogwen. Our backpacking bags weighed just under 9kg including food and 1L of water.
The OMM is a 2 day self supported backpacking challenge where you must navigate the course using just a map and compass. We completed the Medium Score Course hiking our way to checkpoints and camping after the first day.
Follow me on Instagram: / backpacking_uk
My camping gear consisted of the Durston X-Mid 1P Solid tent, Sierra Design Cloud 20 sleeping bag, Big Agnes Rapide SL sleeping pad and Nemo Fillo Elite pillow.
Overall my kit was more lightweight backpacking than ultralight backpacking. I like to call it fastpacking where my bag is just light enough to jog with on the flats and downhill sections.
The maximum elevation was on Carnedd Llewelyn at 1064m. This is the 3rd highest mountain in Wales and higher than any summit in England! This would be a challenge to most people let alone part way through a fell running race!
The Original Mountain Marathon run events but also produce some excellent lightweight thru hiking gear. It's well worth checking their website out theomm.com/
My Teammate was hiking and content creating @krisgleave Please check his KZbin Channel out and his Instagram @gleavek . Kris has lots of great hiking content, you won't be disappointed!
Our food was kindly provided from The Fell Store thefellstore.com/ use KG10 for 10% off!
Massive thanks to all my subscribers who watch the channel and help me raise vital funds to go on adventures like this one. I'm always trying to inspire and to show what you can achieve with a backpacking bag on.
Hiking Gear
Inov-8 345 GTX boots, waterproofs and gloves
Rab Microlight Alpine down jacket
1000 Mile socks
Ronhill tights and shorts
OMM tee
Fjallraven beanie
Skins neck thingy
All food from The Fell Store
Backpacking Gear
Montane Trailblazer 44 Backpack
Sierra Designs Cloud 20 Quilt
Big Agnes Rapide SL Pad
Nemo Fillo Elite Pillow
Leki Makalu FX Poles
Soto Ti Pot and Windmaster Stove
Suunto Peak 9 Pro GPS Watch
Durston X-Mid 1P Solid Tent
OMM Chest Rig
Harvey Maps Snowdonia 1:40k Map
Olight Perun II Head Torch
Life Systems Nano 1st Aid Kit & Bivy
Rite in the Rain pencil and note pad
Silva compass
If you are into your hiking, backpacking and wild camping please SUBSCRIBE @BackpackingUK
Thank, Andy.
#hiking #wildcamping #backpacking
00:00 Introduction
02:14 Backpacking Day 1
12:39 Wild Camping
19:35 Backpacking Day 2
26:02 Summary of the OMM

[@BackpackingUK]

Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/backpacking_uk/ to see more hiking, backpacking and wild camping related content. My Teammate was hiking and content creating Kris Gleave. Please check his KZbin Channel out ( www.youtube.com/@krisgleave ) and his Instagram @gleavek. Kris has lots of great content, especially the more challenging hikes, you won't be disappointed! Our food was kindly provided from The Fell Store thefellstore.com/ . Use KG10 for 10% off!

[@alanwilkinson5218]

My daughter used to work for OMM &the lovely Williams family who own it . I have been asked so many times to give it a go ,but never got round to it . Great vid 👏

[@BackpackingUK]

I didn't realise it was a family company. Thinking about it now, it does have that feeling about it.

[@juristimma5366]

This Place its Like My 2nd Home...... Love it.

[@carlrichards5250]

Dunno how I haven’t seen this vid until now. Well done Andy - that looked like a great challenge!

[@totomesch1940]

That looks like an awesome event, very well organised........ I'm tempted, I'm tempted..... will see how this coming year goes as need to improve my fitness a little. Brilliant upload Andy and well done. ATB

[@Leeslost]

Congratulations to you both guys , brilliant event and brilliant video 🏕️🤙

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers Lee 👍

[@andykeast8920]

We’ll done Andy and Chris. That looked hard but fun. Great vid.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks 👍

[@0110Cryptic]

Well done guys, brilliant video. 💯👍

[@BackpackingUK]

Thank you! 👍

[@insoleandlaces]

Great skills Andy and Kris, know the Carneddau very well and is my favourite range, the weather can be brutal and navigation can be challenging in poor conditions. 👍❤ Great achievement.

[@BackpackingUK]

After falling in the bog my legs and feet were freezing 🥶 At least it gave me motivation to crack on and keep warm!

[@krisgleave]

Awesome video Andy well put together and really enjoyed it! Apologies for all the cramp in Day 1 it definitely slowed us up and impacted some of my choices. Nice to meet you and share the experience with you too

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks so much for coming Kris! Awesome Teammate 👊

[@JackKlumpass]

Blimey! Spotted what looked like the old terra nova laser photon 2 there😮

[@BackpackingUK]

There were all sorts of tents there, some absolute classics too!

[@stevegill6754]

Great video Andy and well done to you and Kris 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks 👍

[@user-zy6by8tv1o]

Great video. It really captures the atmosphere of what was clearly a brilliant weekend. I did the event in 1979 when it was then called the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon. It was also in North Wales and I met my hero Joss Naylor. Your video almost makes me think of entering next year - almost!

[@BackpackingUK]

I’ve seen it being called the KIMM before. I met lots of mature adventurers so you can never be too old to enter!

[@rodoutdoors]

That looks like fun. Great job.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks 👍

[@Shan-outnabout]

Well done guys I hope to complete this challenge next year

[@chrisjwoodall]

Respect to you both!! Not sure I could make it to the shop the day after five pints any more let alone do all that lol

[@BackpackingUK]

We were struggling on the first climb 🤣

[@thefellstore]

What an amazing challenge! Really enjoyed following you guys on this adventure. Brilliant achievement 👏

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@simonwiltshire]

Well done guys! That was epic.

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers 👍

[@burrianaUK]

That looks really good fun. Thanks for the video guys 👍🏼

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesaturvey]

Nice one, well done for finishing! My wife and I were on the linear B course and are right behind you near the end when that horse kicked off!! It was our first OMM too and after a few days off I think I might do another one at some point... the weather held up nicely after all

[@BackpackingUK]

We were originally going to do the Linear course. How did you find it? I'm 50:50 about the courses. The Linear course may have suited us better?

[@Dadsgonewildcamping-tq1oo]

Massive well done and bet that first beer tasted good after that😉 always fancied the OMM but camping with so many would mean no sleep for me as I like my solitude when camping. Great vid and not seen this from others so big👍

[@BackpackingUK]

I think you've just got to take it on the chin that you won't get much sleep (apart from Kris who had about 15 hours 😂😂😂)

[@originalreelcamping6045]

Congratulations on finishing, I'm not sure that I could do that??

[@wizzoneill]

Well Done!!!

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks!

[@lorrainemcnally-jones2772]

Wow…well done guys, great video too. 👏🏻

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks! 🙏

[@THEoldgreydude]

Massive respect dude That looks so tough Well done ! !

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers 👍

[@petercollins7848]

Awesome!

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers!

[@katiebooth2031]

Well done 👏

[@BackpackingUK]

Thank you!

[@davidhale1568]

Nice video well done guys 👍

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers! 👍

[@furiousfoggy]

Thanks for putting the video together, good to see it from the perspective of others. We were on the long score and recognised a few check points

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@kristaps2010]

the quality of sound during insane wind above 1000metres surprised me. thanks for sharing, didn't know about this event, might prepare for next year. it's hard enough on some dangerous sections to get through but we are filming too. wow! thanks for info about graphene soles, I thought they are improvement in grip, I guess just dry grip then. That race time limit make it all challenging and interesting.

[@BackpackingUK]

I use Rode mics. I can’t rate them enough but they’re not cheap! Trying to vlog this was difficult but I’m glad I did even if it did hold us back a bit.

[@WessexBladesHandMadeKnives]

Wow, I struggled doing one easey peasey summit with my ex military bergen and Dickies workboots, I imagine this was 8/10 times more distance than my efforts, a great upload, thanks for sharing!!

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@rejects101]

Wow!

[@BackpackingUK]

It really was!

[@belowaveragewildcamper]

Alright mate, really enjoyed that. I was there and did the medium Score course with My brother. Loved every second despite a few ‘lost moments’ on day 1 when the clag descended. We both shared the X-Mid 2p and found we had tons of room. Great tents. I’ve uploaded the Vlog I recorded of the event. Give it a watch. All the best Stephen 👍

[@BackpackingUK]

I'll check it out 👍

[@NathanAtton]

Looks like and epic trip, not sure I have the endurance for it myself 😅

[@BackpackingUK]

We weren’t sure either 😂

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Wonderful event test your skills and endurance, a great watch congratulations, how far did you go each day ?

[@BackpackingUK]

Just under 13 on the first day and less on the second. The navigation and terrain really slowed us down. I'm used to my Garmin watch and footpaths!

[@Laubasss]

I think I've found my goal😎😬. First get myself.up and running again...and healthy😊 Very admirable to be filming and talking as well!!

[@BackpackingUK]

Do it, you won’t regret it!

[@Laubasss]

​@@BackpackingUKCheers! I will start training again! Atb from the Netherlands

[@RonSill1986]

​@Laubasss I've just started up backpacking/wild camping/hiking and I've had a few disasters on the way but I don't regret any of them. The only thing I regret since starting in June is not getting out enough before we lost our summer in July 😂.my disasters came because I hadn't watched enough channels like this to prepare. This channel alone can prepare you enough. Good luck 👍 💓

[@RonSill1986]

​@@LaubasssI decided to camp a couple of miles down the road by the river last night and I find it way better than sleeping in my bed now 😂

[@Laubasss]

@@RonSill1986 Unfortunately wild camping is not allowed in the Netherlands (hefty fine), and I don't dare to risk a stealth.....yet😬😎🍂🍁. But some mini nature camp ground in lovely areas very close should be nice for a round of hiking! Still have to test my hammock!! Also got a DD ul tarp and Hexpeak V4A for the more windy/colder camps. Now need a bivvy and test my tarpology noob skills! Tent often feels bit too enclosed at times. Esp in summer. Hence the hammock (quilted amazonas with bug net)

[@strollingsteve4271]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Kev.B.4311]

Brilliant dude, great achievement & awesome views, I really worried U might stack it on that ridge...🙈 Look at ya feet & not the camera ffs...!😯 Shits me up...!🤣 I'd have been proper pissed for forgetting my bag of bits...!🙄🤦 NO Coffee...!???🤬🤯 - Kill me now...!😆... I also watched "Below Average Wild Camper" yesterday, who did the run, Steve's a great crack & a has an NVQ in Professional Cooking...!😄✔️💯 Ole Dad Dave decided to stay home in his slippers this time & little Bruv joined big Bruv instead, so fab memories for them...!👍 Looked like ya mate Kris smashed that with ya & just on 24hrs Notice...?!!!...🌟 Best wishes & more adventures...!✔️Oh, also, guess wot...? I just got my 1st Hot Tent how good is that...! 😯🔥🏕️ I accidentally knocked a buy now button two weeks ago...✔️💯 Another six months & I may afford a Stove for it...🤔 Probably B Summer by then...!😂 👊

[@BackpackingUK]

I was sooooo hungry, I'll never forget food ever, EVER again!

[@vladd.i]

did you see any interesting tents among the group? looks like many single-hoop structures. I just ordered Tarptent Scarp 1 in Ultra. have you seen any in the field?

[@BackpackingUK]

There were lots of Terra Nova Lazers. Not many trekking poles tents. Lots of 2P tents as well with people sharing to save weight.

[@furiousfoggy]

Terra nova have historically been very popular on MMs, but imo there are better options now for for super light 2 man that are a bit more stable. Almost everyone shares a tent, it hadn’t occurred to me until I saw this video !

[@vladd.i]

@@furiousfoggy imagine having another person with you crazy enough to share your style of adventures 😅

[@TimelordUK]

F I R S T !!!❤

[@BackpackingUK]

🥇 👏 😁

[@SummitSelfieSeeker]

Love your videos. My question is, how do i get involved in the next OMM?

[@BackpackingUK]

Entries for next year are open now! It’s a paired event though, you need a partner 👍

[@paul-soundaffected]

Is it a mix of walking and running, are there endurance runners that run the whole bloody thing?

[@BackpackingUK]

Yes, exactly that 👍

[@paul-soundaffected]

@BackpackingUK ah i see, looks a challenge just walking let alone running it lol.

[@thewanderingforester]

Interesting to see you in an X-Mid - thought you'd sold it on after the fuss on your "hype" video?

[@BackpackingUK]

I still think it’s over-hyped but I still think it’s a great tent. People were fixated on the couple of negative points when most of the review was positive.

[@AndyPentax]

Do they provide toilet facilities at each Camping Site?

[@BackpackingUK]

Toilets and running water only 👍

[@hamwhacker]

Jesus you are all crazy! I am doing a relaxed 2 days on Offas Dyke, staying at a B&B each night. About 16 miles a day. Would not dream of doing a two day marathon and wild camping at this time of year. Brrrr I think what I am attempting is equivalent to your B course but with about 700m altitude not 1000m. Not going to be running!

[@BackpackingUK]

I’m not going to lie, a hot shower and a proper meal would have been to die for after day 1 😅

[@hamwhacker]

@@BackpackingUKin the summer I always pay to stay in a campsite when multi-day hiking. Worth it for the shower alone, and good to have some company especially if you have been walking solo. I think you must be covering TWICE the distance and climbing. Congrats on making the cutoff on day 1. Very exciting!

[@thewhofan8020]

I never knew what OMM stood for.

[@BackpackingUK]

Most people don't, but I think that's because they've made OMM a Brand.

[@rejects101]

Earplugs.

[@BackpackingUK]

Yep, I even took ear plugs! I took cheap and cheerful ones though and not my more expensive molded ones 😩

[@northernswedenstories1028]

I wonder how they organise toilet visits for events like this? Surely you can't just have everyone shitting and pissing everywhere in the same spots. I assume they organise some form of toilets on the route?

[@BackpackingUK]

No toilets on route, just at the start, midway camp and finish.

[@northernswedenstories1028]

@@BackpackingUK Oy. That's a lot of foxholes!

[@mioww325]

Bloody hell you guys are made of iron

[@lauriebloggs8391]

All those people...I can't think of anything worse............... well I can, but.........

[@BackpackingUK]

Nice people though 😁 The camp was definitely interesting 😆