Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
27th August 2016

After a downgraded attempt of the Challenge on Saturday 20th August (raising money for Kilve Court Residential Center and arranged by Somerset County Council) to a Welsh One Peak Challenge due to strong winds I returned with my family to make a second attempt.  To make it a challenge for our family we decided to walk routes that we had not previously walked together before.  On Friday 26th August we left home at about 9:30pm after James finished work and crossed the bridge into Wales.  We camped overnight in the lay by at the base of Pen Y Fan and started walking at 6:18 the next morning.

We walked up to Pen Y Fan via Corn Du - lovely weather and views unlike our walk the previous week!

We scaled Pen Y Fan and were back at the car in 1 hour and 38 minutes (4.1 miles and 471 m of climb).  After a quick cup of tea we were on the road on the way to Dolgellau and on to the car park at the foot of the Pony Path.  We started to walk up Cadair Idris at 10:53.  We reached the Peak at at 12:23 - lovely views of Barmouth and the LLyn Peninsula on the way up.

We reached the car park at the base of the Pony Path in 2 hours and 53 minutes (5.87 miles and 752 m of climb).  Next stop Snowdon!
We parked up at the base of the Ranger Path and started walking at 3:20.  We experienced some of the local wildlife on the way up!

The summit was in sight for most of the upward climb but it became shrouded in mist just as we approached it.  We reached to summit at 5:29 but did not stay long admiring the views.

A big downhill walk took us back to the car park in 3 hours 51 minutes, reaching our camper by 7.11 pm (8.21 miles and 995 m of climb).

The Welsh Three Peaks Conquered at last in 12 hours 53 minutes.

We then stayed on the shore of LLyn Ogwen with a massive thunder and lightning storm hitting the surrounding mountains in the night before visiting Dave's dad in Whittle-Le-Woods the following day.