Sun 28 November 2010..... 1st endurance test

Corn du to rear

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....

With nearly 4months of regular training under our belt KT and I put ourselves to the test, by undertaking a slightly extended version of the first leg of the Fan Dance from the Storey Arms Centre to the Torpantau Station (we do not wish detail this route) and contiuned on for a further 10miles south through the Taf Fechan Forest to join the Taff Trail by Cwm-Car near the Pontsticill Reservoir , covering a total distance of 17.5miles.

Pen y Fan to rear

Our original intention was to return back to the Storey Arms Centre via a north-westerly route over Waun Wen - Twyn Mwyalchod - Cefn Cul.

However, by the Pentwyn Reservoir an old ankle injury reared its ugly head and restricted my ability to climb any further :(

Much to our surprise we covered the 17.5mile distance in just under 5hrs 20min, which included two 5min pit-stops and a another series of quick stops to take some photographs on the mountains!!

eastern view from Pen y Fan

 Another aim on this excursion was to test our navigation skills un-aided by a map. We were pleasantly surprised to locate our target way points within a few hundred meters and maintained the target route quite accurately.............not bad for two old guys:)

By the time I reached at Cwm-Car I was struggling to continue, and met two good Samaritans who kindly offered to give us a lift back to the Storey Arms Centre, which I gladly accepted.

the plane that crashed on 26 Nov 10

By god did I suffer for this fool-hardy venture........in the week that followed I uncounted pains in areas that I did not know existed, and I had to continue daily torturous walks to gradually release myself back to normality in readiness for our next excursion the following weekend!!!!

One thing I learnt for sure.............age/time does takes its toll without any question.

summit of Pen y Fan

Anyway got a few decent photos on route :)

December 2010.....general notice

With the winter drawing in, it was decided that in this their first season, the two youngest members of our team ES (age 4) and TS (aged 6), will not join our excursions for the rest of this season.

They will continue to maintain fitness and endurance training by going on walks in our local area. They will re-join our excursions in the spring of 2011.

This decision also dictates that JL will also be unable to partake in our excursions until the spring of 2011.

The team is now down to three ~ GS, KT, and I.

Sun 21 November 2010.....Cefn Crew @ 770m(2,526ft)

Return to complete Cefn Crew in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.............

view over Gwaun Nant Ddu to south-west

We parked opposite the Cantref Reservoir and headed through the forest up the south-west face of the Burnt Mound continuing up to Cefn Crew 770m (2,526ft) and returned back the same way. An approximate 4mile hike.

It was overcast with strong winds over the mountain resulting in a chill factor close freezing. Even though they were adequately protected from the elements, the children found the cold rather uncomfortable.

the camp fire looking up to Cefn Crew

 On the decent we found a location that had been previously used to build a camp fire, and set up a camp fire to raise the children's moral and spirits after that weather beaten session. Also, the children had a hands-on lesson in how to responsibly build, and on completion extinguish, a camp fire.

All-in-all it was a good excursion.

Sun 14 November 2010.....Gwaun Nant Ddu @ 600m(1,968ft)

Looking from the Forest out to Burnt Mound

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....

We parked in the A470 layby opposite the Cantref Reservior and headed up the north-west face of Gwaun Nant Ddu to a height of 600m (1,968ft) and decened into the vally directly below; then crossing the Nant Crew river climbed the opposite south-eastern face of the Burnt Mound to 475m (1,558ft); and then joined and follow the path south-west through the forestry back down to the A470. An approximate 3mile hike.

Looking from the Forest over the Cantref Reservior

This proved to be an excellent hike, in an area totally free of "tourists". The kids thoroughly enjoyed this excursion, especially where we had to lay some stepping-stones to cross the river. Even though it was overcast, the weather was mild and conditions fantastic.

Sun 07 November 2010.....Cefn Cul @ 740m(2,427ft)

At the start

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....


We started around lunch time at the lower car park south-east of the Storey Arms Centre and headed up the "tourist route" to walk over Craig Gwaun Taf up to the cairn by Cefn Cul 740m ( 2,427ft) to overlook the Upper Neuadd Reservoir and return via the same route. An approximate 3mile hike.

a pit stop for hot soup and tea

The weather was overcast and gloomy, but it stayed dry. The 3 children, JL, KT, and I were all in good spirits. We reached Cefn Cul in good time to see some fantastic views down the vallys and beyond.

the view out to Corn Du and Pen y Fan

The Vertigo beast did not rear its ugly head, so JL had a good uneventful hike.

All-in-all a very good day.

Sun 31 October 2010.....Corn Du @ 873m (2,864ft)

Brecon Beacons in Wales.....


Starting at the Storey Arms Centre by "the phone box" the target was to reach the summit of Corn Du 873m (2,864ft) via the "tourist route". An approximate 3mile hike.

L-R: ES, TS, JL, and GS on shelf directly below summit

The 3 children, JL, KT, and I set off from the Storey Arms just after mid-day. The weather was heavily overcast with a layer of mist looming over the summit.

GS on shelf directly below summit

A nice clear route paved the way to the summit. However, about 500m before the summit the Vertigo bug struck JL again. Not as bad as the last time though, as she managed to continue and make it to the shelf directly below the summit.

KT on summit

All in all it was a good walk/climb which all seemed to enjoy. Little ES at 4years of age was outstanding!!!

Sun 24 October 2010.....Craig y Fro @ 500m (1,640ft)

The 3 children, JL, KT, and I set out for our first excursion in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, which from now on is going to be the main area we hope to train, climb, and explore over the coming 6 to 12months or so.

With the drastically varying terrain and weather conditions, this will be ideal grounding for our future mountaineering aspirations.

We parked in the car park opposite the Storey Arms Centre; and climbed in a north-easterly direction up the north-eastern face of Fan Fawr continuing over Craig y Fro at an elevation of about 500m (1,640ft) along the section of Beacons Way; and descended back down the eastern face of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad onto the A470; and walked alongside the A470 back to the car park. We have not plotted this route, but it is easy to identify with the respective OS or Landranger map.

We progressed at a slow but steady pace, permitting the children to build their confidence in climbing. All was well until we reached the face of Craig y Fro above the disused quarry, where JL was over-come by an unexpected bout of vertigo on that shear face. Sending the children on with KT, I dropped back and coaxed JL down the remainder of the way with no further issues. Phew...............

Other than the above incident, all were in good spirits over the near 3mile course and thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.

Looking out to Y Gyrn from the  north-eastern face of Craig y Fro

Sun 17 Oct 2010.........our first planned excursion

TS, ES, and GS (the children)

The 3 children, my wife JL, KT, and I set out to explore a renowned walk in the surrounds of Castell Coch near Cardiff in Wales. A 5.5mile route of mixed terrain through forest with some fantastic views on route. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with good walking and the children had great fun too.

The Route Map

The route we took is detailed in the map and is defined as "an invigorating circular route that shows some of the many different faces of the regenerated Valleys"

October 2010 new member joins team

KT a friend for over 20years has joined our team. He is an extremely energetic 58year old with over 40 years experience in hillwalking and mountaineering. A valued addition to the team and all our future endeavours.

This blog is primarily dedicated to..........

• Our sons progress and life experience

• My commitment and efforts  to regain physical fitness and endurance to an acceptable standard

• If all factors permit, our long term aspiration to summit K2 and a few other 8,000ders

• Our efforts to raise as much funding as possible for much needed equipment for the specialist pediatric consultants in the University Hospital of Wales, as gratitude for the care of our son.

Our Oldest Son..............GS

Ours oldest son was born in 2001with two unfortunate conditions medially known as tracheoesophageal fistula and imperforate anus, resulting in requirement for major corrective surgery at birth and two subsequent operations a few years later.

Resultant complications from his birth conditions dictate regular monthly to 3monthly reviews and investigations of his progress by specialist surgical consultants, which is expected to progress until he is in his mid to late teens.

Also, due to the resultant complications, his daily routine includes self-catheterization 4 to 5 times a day, self administered bowel-wash once a day, and taking urinary track and bowel management medications.

Due to a knock-on effects from his birth complications, at the age of 5 our son was also diagnosed with a Tethered Spinal Cord and Scoliosis affecting his spine. At the age of 6 he had to undergo neurosurgery in an attempt to un-tether his spinal cord and the operation had only 50% success. However, he recovered well. These are another series of issues that require regular monitoring and corrective surgery as he progresses into his teens.

At the time of writing he is a 7year old “happy-go-lucky” boy who displays an amazing appreciation of life in whole, with an amazing resilience to all his issues, and a constant positive outlook in all his endeavors. His studious and athletic prowess holds him in high stead with his fellow pupils, educators and peers alike.

In summary he one truly amazing little man, who without the splendid skills and dedicated care of his surgical team and associated consultants, may have not graced us all with his presence today.

August to October 2010

At the beginning of August 2010 we started 2mile daily walks on flat terrain locally. Our 3year old son (the youngest member) seems capable of keeping the pace...........great!

By the start of September 2010 my old Bergen come out of "retirement" to help carry a 60lb load on my walks. Wow.....the first few weeks were torturous.....I felt every step on route.....time/age has definitely taken its toll!! By this time we had increased our daily distance to nearly 4miles on flat terrain and everybody was coping well (except me!).

By the start of October 2010 we started getting slightly more adventurous and continuing our 4mile walks on low-level mountainous terrain locally. By now my body had given up fighting against the 60lb load and I seem to be moving well (as well as can be for my age I suppose ~ as its nowhere near the pace I used to maintain 15 to 20years ago). My wife and the youngsters are coping well.....no aches or complaints.....great!!

Spring & Summer of 2010

Set targets to re-start hillwalking and mountaineering activities by the end of the summer.

The costs to purchase appropriate gear to kit-out a family of 5 is astronomical!!!!!

Prudent shopping on e-bay, Preloved, and Military Surplus helped to considerably reduce the cost. Thank you to all those honest sellers out there!!

January 2010 resolution

To slow-down the pace of career goals in a form of semi-retirement, with a dedicated aspiration to “live again” and spend the remaining years sharing quality time and life experiences with my family and close friends.