Exploring Eryri: My 3-Day Solo Adventure with the Suunto Race S Watch

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Exploring Eryri: My 3-Day Solo Adventure with the Suunto Race S Watch

By Janire Denny-Arzalluz

Published on August 28, 2024

5 min read

Exploring Eryri: My 3-Day Solo Adventure with the Suunto Race S Watch

Tackling the rugged beauty of Eryri alone is no small feat, but with just my backpack, a thirst for adventure, and the Suunto Race S in Power Orange strapped to my wrist, I set off on a 3-day expedition over the Glyderau and Carneddau mountains. Here’s how this mighty little watch became my high-tech hiking buddy, turning what could have been a gruelling trek into an epic solo adventure.

Day 1: Glyderau – The Rocky Playground

Kicking off my adventure with an ascent of the Glyderau, I knew I’d have a steep climb ahead. The Suunto Race S’s high-definition AMOLED screen was perfectly readable be that in cloud and poor visibility conditions or glaring sunlight, of which I had both! It made it easy to keep an eye on my progress. The digital crown added a layer of convenience I didn’t know I needed, allowing me to browse through features without missing a step—or a rock.

Navigating the tricky paths with confidence, I left my phone and map in my pack. When the trail became less clear over Glyder Fawr, the bearing navigation feature helped me stay on course by setting a bearing to my next checkpoint. The gyro-assisted, tilt-compensated compass was invaluable too, guiding me with precise readings even when I was scrambling over the uneven terrain of Castell-Y-Gwynt and the rocky outcrops Glyder Fach.

Reaching my wild camp spot felt like a victory. As the sun began to set, the Sun & Moon widget provided essential info, letting me know exactly how much daylight was left and when I could expect sunrise the next day. After setting up camp and refuelling with food and water, I used the HRV recovery measurement to check my recovery status. My heart rate variability indicated that a good night’s sleep was needed, and I turned on the sleep tracking feature to monitor my rest.

Day 2: Carneddau – Peaks and Valleys

Refreshed from a night under the stars, my the Suunto Race S watch greeted me ‘Good morning’ with all my sleep stats as I sat and had some breakfast and a much needed coffee. I packed up camp, ensured I left no trace and started my descent from the Glyderau. The Alti & Baro widget provided real-time updates on altitude and barometric pressure, alerting me to any sudden weather changes. Knowing the accurate altitude helped me plan my descent carefully and prepare for the climb ahead.

Janire at the top of Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen) in the Glyderau with Pen Yr Ole Wen in the Carneddau behind.

Reaching the valley, I faced another challenging ascent, this time up the Carneddau. The Climb Guidance feature was like having a motivational coach on my wrist, displaying elevation changes and upcoming climbs. Each color-coded section helped me conserve energy and brace for the uphill battles. The Suunto Coach AI was there to offer personalised advice and keep me motivated through the toughest parts of the climb.

At the top of the Carneddau, the view was spectacular. I took a moment to check the Resources widget, which indicated my energy levels were in good shape for the push over the plateau and back down towards the Dulyn Reservoir. Arriving at my second wild camp spot, I set up and used the Sun & Moon widget again to plan my evening. The watch’s impressive battery life, up to 30 hours in Performance mode, meant I still had plenty of power left.

Day 3: The Homeward Stretch

On the final day, I felt a mix of accomplishment and a tinge of sadness that the adventure was ending. The bearing navigation helped me find the best route back, and the HR widget kept track of my heart rate, ensuring I didn’t overexert myself on the home stretch.

As I approached my car, the Suunto Race S still had battery life to spare. The watch had tracked every step, climb, and heartbeat over the three days, offering detailed feedback on my training load, progress, and recovery. The variety of sports modes, including hiking and trail running, ensured every part of my journey was accurately recorded.

The Logbook feature was like a little cheerleader, providing a summary of my journey and all the ground I’d covered. Reviewing the log gave me a great sense of accomplishment and a clear record of my trek through the Glyderau and Carneddau mountains.

Janire's Glyderau Adventure – OS Map Route

Reflections on My Suunto Race S Watch Experience

The Suunto Race S, is smaller size, perfect for my tiny wrists and it packs all the powerful features of the larger model. It combined the practicality of advanced navigation tools with health monitoring, helping me focus on the stunning scenery and less on whether I was about to wander off a cliff. It’s the kind of gear that turns a solo hike from a potentially daunting ordeal into an epic adventure, complete with bragging rights. The watch’s impressive battery life, up to 7 days with regular use, ensured it lasted throughout my expedition.

Tracking the impact of my training and receiving personalised feedback on my training load, progress, and recovery was a game-changer. Suunto Coach AI kept me motivated with workout advice tailored just for me.

For outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, this watch is a dream. It tracks peak power on rides, automatically recognises intervals when swimming, and keeps you on your route while trail running. With over 95 sports modes to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

So, if you’re planning to tackle the wilds of Eryri or any other sport in rugged terrain, the Suunto Race S is the ultimate adventure companion. It’s like having a wilderness guide, fitness coach, and trusty friend all in one.

READ MORE OS CHAMPION SUUNTO RACE S REVIEWS

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By Janire Denny-Arzalluz

Meet Janire Denny-Arzalluz, hiker, wild swimmer, paddle boarder, mountain biker and trainee Mountain Leader based in the West Midlands of England