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As many of you may remember from my last newsletter, my daughter, Abi, and my wife, Ali, were taking a bit of exercise in the summer. They took on the challenge of the Welsh 3000s – climbing all 15 mountains in Wales over 3000 feet high inside 24 hours. This was to involve about 42 miles and 16,000 feet of ascent. It was not just to be a gentle workout, but Abi’s aim was to use it to raise money for children in a less fortunate position than herself.
Abi and Ali started their journey from Pen y Pass at 3.47am on 31st July, which just happened to be Abi’s 16th birthday! A full moon lit their way, and by dawn they were on the first, and most dangerous summit of Crib Goch.They crossed its famous knife-edge ridge to the welcoming rays of a beautiful sunrise. By 8.30am they had also crossed Crib y Ddysgl (Carnedd Ugain) and Snowdon and descended to the valley at Nant Peris. A short drink and breakfast break, and then up the one they consider to be the biggest slog, Elidir Fawr. They then crossed Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan to reach Llyn Ogwen at about 5.30pm. Again they were fed and watered before tackling the dreaded Penyroleuwen. They found this ascent much easier than anticipated and reached the summit around 8pm. They had a beautiful sunset on Carnedd Dafydd, before the long and trying traverse to Yr Elen, which is awkward enough to have been placed well away from the other mountains! By now they were very tired and hurting, and their pace slowed in the dark. They were blessed with a full moon again, and their headlamps were hardly necessary. They reached Carnedd Llewelyn about 11.30 pm, and then I met them on Foel Grach a little after midnight. Both were hobbling and in considerable pain, but struggled on over Garnedd Uchaf to the final 3000er, Foel Fras, at about 1.30am. I had brought Abi a can of Red Bull for her final summit celebration – I do not wish to advertise, but it was amazing to see how one small can of drink lifted her energy for the descent! This was made over another sub 3000 summit, Drum, to arrive at the car at 3.42am – 23 hours and 55 minutes of walking and climbing.
I am very proud of both my ladies, who showed great determination in completing the challenge. So far they have raised around £4500 for the Children of Tien Shan. This children’s home and pioneering fostering system has been set up in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan by the amazing Irina Trofimov. This is a country with high unemployment and terrible alcohol problems, and there are far too many abandoned children living on the streets. Irina gives them a home, mainstream schooling, and where possible supports and helps relatives to get the children back into their family unit in a more safe and stable situation. This work is backed by the UK charity, Tear Fund, through whom the sponsorship money is being passed.
Many thanks to all of you who have supported Abi and Ali’s challenge. If anyone else would still like to join in with financial support, please let us know, we are still collecting together the funds. If you are a UK taxpayer, we can send you a gift aid form as well, and our kind government will add 28% to anything you give. Many thanks also to those who gave their time and skills to assist Abi and Ali on the day. Maurice Wilkinson accompanied them on the Snowdon and Carneddau ranges. Rich Bishop and Simon Brennan were their support on the Glyder Range. Steve Porter was also a big encouragement to them through the hours of darkness on the Carneddau. To see pictures of Ali and Abi on all 15 summits, click here
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