Friday 23rd May was nothing short of epic — an amazing, grueling, occasionally nerve-wracking adventure tackling the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge. In just 16 hours, we climbed Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris, and Snowdon — and although our legs (and occasionally nerves) took a beating, we made it, and it was all in the name of charity ❤️.
The Journey Begins: Pen y Fan
We kicked things off early and perhaps a bit too eagerly up Pen y Fan. The pace was hot out of the gate, with energy to spare — largely helped by Gary’s enthusiastic warm-up stretches and musical interludes, complete with old tales to keep us entertained. A true bard in boots.
Jo faced her personal Everest here — battling a fear of heights and what we can only describe as a sudden loss of nerve. At this point we also picked up a lost friend who had followed us on the path, Hugo wanted to keep him for the next 2 peaks, but he didn’t seem keen!
Despite the fast start, we realised pretty quickly we’d need to dial it back. The mountain wasn’t going anywhere, and this was a marathon, not a sprint.
Hitting Our Stride: Cadair Idris
By the time we reached Cadair Idris, we’d settled into a groove. The weather was on our side — clear skies, cool air, and stunning views — which helped lift our spirits. This was a steady, confidence-boosting leg of the journey, where we started to feel like we might actually pull this off.
Andres, never one to take the conventional route, threw in some impromptu break-dancing moves to negotiate trickier descents. Surprisingly effective and thoroughly entertaining.
Curveballs on Snowdon
Then came Snowdon, and with it, chaos. The weather turned foul — wind howling, rain lashing, and rocks slick underfoot. Everything got harder.
Matt, meanwhile, seemed to morph into a mountain goat, effortlessly bounding up the trail while the rest of us huffed, puffed, and prayed for flat ground. Watching him ascend was both impressive and slightly infuriating.
Jo tried copying Matts technique, but didn’t have the same grace. A dramatic slide later, she bounced back with grit and good humor, proving the toughest climbs aren’t always physical.
And then there was Adam — arguably the most organised among us — who, somehow, forgot his raincoat. Not that it mattered to him; being northern and made of tougher stuff, he powered through the freezing downpour like it was a light drizzle on a Sunday stroll.
The Descent into Darkness
Descending Snowdon in the dark was… not ideal. Slippery rocks, tired legs, and zero visibility made for a tense finish.
Hugo, in what can only be described as bold defiance of common sense, refused to use a torch. This resulted in perhaps the most graceful fall of the day: a slow-motion, arms-out pirouette that was more ballet than stumble. Ten out of ten for style, if not practicality.
But with teamwork, determination, and perhaps a little madness, we made it down in one piece — bruised, soaked, but still smiling.
The Aftermath: Sore but So Proud
On Saturday, everything hurt — but in the best way. That kind of ache that whispers, you did something hard and meaningful. We pushed ourselves to our limits, supported each other through highs and lows, and did it all for a great cause.
This challenge was in support of XN Leisure’s JustGiving fundraiser, British Heart Foundation and every step, slip, and song felt worth it knowing we were helping to make a difference.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Do It (Even if You’re Scared)
If you’re thinking about taking on a challenge like this — do it. It’s tough, unpredictable, and at times ridiculous… but it’s also unforgettable. These mountains tested our endurance, our courage, and our humor, but they also gave us stories we’ll tell for years.
To Gary’s tunes, Andres’s dance breaks, Jo’s courage, Hugo’s darkness dancing, Matt’s goat-level agility, and Adam’s soggy but solid determination — this one’s for the team. We climbed mountains, both literal and mental, and came down stronger (and slightly smellier) than we went up.
Here’s to the next adventure.
