This afternoon I climbed Pen Y Fan, the tallest mountain in South Wales, and the tallest in southern Britain. Compared to the likes of Snowdownia and the other mountains of the Three Peaks Challenge, it's a baby, but it was a hell of a challenge to climb.
The peak of Pen Y Fan is 886m above sea level, and it's a 2-mile climb to the top. The group I was with managed the ascent and descent in about an hour and a half, which was quite good.
I realised that I need to do some serious endurance training. Even with the two hiking sticks I bought yesterday (expect a full review of the kit I used in the coming weeks), I was flagging at two points during the climb.
There's a point in the ascent of Pen Y Fan where the mountain opens out and you begin to walk along the ridge before the final ascent. That's where the wind, rain, sleet and snow (yes, there was snow) conspire together to batter you into oblivion. It was crazy. Luckily, there weren't any zombies on the trail, but the fog was so thick you never know ...
But I managed it. I was cold, wet, tired and a little sore, but it was damn good fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again in 2 weeks' time (this time I'll be doing the climb with my brother Shaun of Valleys Shutterbug, so expect to see some kick-ass photos next time around).
Have you tried hiking or mountain climbing?
Very impressive :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Misc Mom :) I have to do it again in 2 weeks, followed by Snowdon in March and the 3 Peaks Challenge in June. Eep!
DeleteWell done bud. we drove past today on the way home from Newquay. Looked foggy as hell !!
ReplyDeleteWell done though.
Cheers muchly - it's a practice run for a fortnight's time. My calves were bloody killing!
DeleteGood for you!! And pictures to prove it.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I said as we reached the top was "pics or it didn't happen" :)
DeleteSounds and looks like FUN! I absolutely LOVE hiking... Luckily where I live in AZ I NEVER have to worry about fog, sleet, snow, ect... Mostly just oversized rocks, cactus & rattle snakes! lol!
ReplyDeleteDani
www.thatfitnesschic.blogspot.com
Consider yourself lucky - it was surreal to see the difference in scenery as you move up the mountain from normal weather to blizzard!
DeleteI love hiking, and I live in an area that's made for hikers. Uphill always kicks my ass though, no matter how in shape (or out of it) I may be.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling pretty sore this morning, I won't lie to you!
DeleteWow well done! Walking up high is so tough because of the altitude too, and all that snow I bet made it even worse. Hope you are not too sore today.
ReplyDeleteI am quite sore. I seem to skip a day; so yesterday I felt fine - today I feel like I've been put through a meat grinder! More training needed, methinks.
DeleteShamefully I have never being up Snowdon, despite being able to see it through any window I look through both at home and at work! I hope to rectify this fact this year, I'm just waiting for the snow to leave!
ReplyDeleteGood luck if you do, Ffion - it looks like a hell of a challenge (I'm surprised I had the willpower to sign up for it!)
DeleteWell done you! I would love to do more hiking and climbing, I just need my friends or husband to be a bit more up for that kind of thing! One day perhaps :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura :) Good luck convincing them; it took me a while!
DeleteWell done on the climb. I've always thought the Welsh landscape looks so beautiful and natural. I love bushwalking & hiking. I no longer live on flat plainlands, so I need to get outside and get climbing as soon as it's no longer summer - too hot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sunny :)It's an amazing landscape; just a shame it was so foggy that I couldn't see!
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