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 :)