tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2009-11-22:/An account of the Snowdonia Challenge Plus event for 2006 and 2007.MokoFeed2009-11-22T05:47:46+01:00tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-08-24:/2008/08/24/day-3-leg-2-15th-june-4629334/Dillwat2008-08-24T09:34:26+02:002008-09-12T14:57:10+02:00 <p><strong>Dolwyddelan Station to Capel Curig<br>4.2 Miles</strong></p> <p>So,the final leg and Take Five were still chasing a top ten place. At the beginning of the day the team had found out that they were in 10th and so far with no navigation mistakes and a fast pace for the first leg there was a conviction that we would make it one way or the other.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_2008_dolwedellan/2805720" title="Snowdonia-2008-Dolwedellan"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/720/2805720_eb23fcb7de_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia-2008-Dolwedellan" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>The afternoon route followed a similar path to one taken in a previous year, but the opening half was all uphill. Not steep, but grinding. It didnt help that at one point the check point marshall was chasing us as he had moved off the co ordinates where he was supposed to be. Still, this didnt deter Take Five as they pushed on. Choker took the opportunity eat some flies and then.... well.... choked. Either that or the tears were from the joy of walking uphill.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_sprint/2605554" title="Snowdonia_June2008-Sprint"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/554/2605554_b686d124fc_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-Sprint" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><br>The rest of the team struck up a conversation and enjoyed themselves as Choker gasped and croaked in an attempt to answer the endless stream of questions sent her way.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_2008_tyn_y_coed/2805721" title="Snowdonia-2008-Tyn-y-Coed"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/721/2805721_84ba67848b_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia-2008-Tyn-y-Coed" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Once over the brow of the hill Take Five assumed Kamikaze mode and hurled themselves down a twiting, uneven track at breakneck speed. In fact it was a miracle no-one did break their necks. Even Stumbles held it together long enough to reach the bottom alive. Then it was full speed to the pub Tyn-Y-Coed, the traditional last stop of the challenge.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_tyn_yr_c/2605557" title="Snowdonia_June2008-Tyn-Yr-C"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/557/2605557_a0015568ac_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-Tyn-Yr-C" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Everyone felt that they'd given it their all and there was hope we had made the top ten. Alas, it was not to be. Eleventh!!! Amazingly frustrating, but Take Five were only a few minutes off tenth. Darn that bog. But it was still a great finish and the tered crew were pleased as punch. A substantial improvement on the 16th place of the previous year. As is often the case there is a sense of disappointment that the walking had come to an end. Despite the trials of the event and the fact everyone was tired, to a person the team wanted to continue. An indication of the team spirit that had accompanied everyone for the duration of the event. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/08/24/day-3-leg-2-15th-june-4629334/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-08-19:/2008/08/19/day-3-leg-1-15th-june-4610847/Dillwat2008-08-19T21:58:58+02:002008-08-19T22:07:56+02:00 <p><strong>Betwys-Y-Coed to Dolwyddelan Station<br>6.1 miles</p> <p></strong>The start for this leg was right in the town, next to the church. From the map Take Five knew the first leg would involve some steep climbing up through the woods. With careful attention to detail, the team picked its first martyrs.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_nerves/2605548" title="Snowdonia_June2008-nerves"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/548/2605548_fa6df6fd51_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-nerves" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Last year the final day was a full on sprint. This time things looked more difficult, but for certain everyone was going to be going flat out for the final day. Taps, Mole Grips and Loser led the way charging upo the first steep incline, then speeding up the first steep incline, then walking up the first steep incline, then stumbling and finally groaning up the first steep incline. Taps took the opportunity to lose about a stone in effort. All questioned Loser's un-erring ability to find yet another shortcut which wasnt.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_speed/2605552" title="Snowdonia_June2008-Speed"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/552/2605552_9cad586a3f_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-Speed" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>"Look everyones gone left, so lets go right" Loser stated logically as the grass got higher and the bushes thicker. The team finally came out behind the first checkpoint. "IN YOUR FACE!" Loser shouted with good grace at his team mates. Mole Grips joined in the sporting conduct, laughing at the teams that had missed the checkpoint and encouraging them with comments like "Oh dear. Have you gone wrong. Never mind. We didnt...". Taps ability to join in the banter had disolved after he had almost killed himself on the first hill, going various shades of pink and red and adding to the watertable.</p> <p>It wasnt long though before a combination of lucky navigating and bravado saw Take Five making good time on the descent to the station at Dolwyddelan. Overtaken at one point by a group of speed walkers, the team proved that brains beats brawn every time but taking a hidden shortcut and coming out in front of the speedsters (yes finally a shortcut that worked!). The quizical looks from the speedsters said it all as they overtook Take Five for the second time in ten minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_tony/2605556" title="Snowdonia_June2008-Tony"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/556/2605556_3481b7a2af_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-Tony" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>The walk through the valley was very beautiful, not that anyone had much time to appreciate it. Snowdonia really does offer a bit of everything. At the changeover it was almost like a relay race, with Taps taking over support duties and Stumbles and Choker adding a boost in pace for the team. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/08/19/day-3-leg-1-15th-june-4610847/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-07-15:/2008/07/15/day-2-leg-1-14th-june-4452295/Dillwat2008-07-15T18:31:45+02:002008-07-21T21:58:06+02:00 <p><strong>Dolwyddelan Castle Circuit<br>14.0 miles</strong></p> <p>Its always disconcerting when teams go off in different directions. Which one do you plagiarise? Or are they all wrong and your secret shortcut is the best way. Take Five stuck to their lemming instinct and went the way most of the others went, which was probably about right. Still it involved a couple of short sharp hills which wiped the smiles off everyones faces.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_friends/2605542" title="Snowdonia_June2008-friends"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/542/2605542_c3fd41c51c_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-friends" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>After this it was the usual groin wrenching sprint down flat country lanes as Take Five fast approached what was clearly going to be the first long climb of the day. This was the first time that a circuit route had been used in the challenge. It meant the whole team was involved for the first time and also meant we were all out for the day. There were no easy exit points on the route so once started, teams had to finish.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_day2a/2605537" title="Snowdonia_June2008-day2a"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/537/2605537_a84e327917_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-day2a" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_click/2605533" title="Snowdonia_June2008-click"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/533/2605533_46e418eeb6_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-click" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Stumbles phenominal early pace kept the competative edge firmly in place.  For a change Stumbles was given responsibility for the checkpoint tab, so the conversation just after the first stop went something like "What do mean you didnt get it stamped!!!"  Mole Grips took a break from his constant stream of inuendo's to send Stumbles back. "I'll catch up" he cried as everyone walked off mumbling "You better....".</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_up/2605558" title="Snowdonia_June2008-up"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/558/2605558_7859d51646_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-up" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>As the terrain steepened the team was getting more spread out and we got to the horror movie point. The one where everyone is in dire peril and lost. Then someone goes "I think we should all split up". The whole audience cries NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .</p> <p>Loser put the question to everyone. Oh yes, good idea everyone concurred, because we're one map short, so one part of the team can finish the section blind. That's a good idea. Cant see any problems with that. What could go wrong?</p> <p>Bye.</p> <p>Loser, Mole Grips and Stumbles forged on, or more aptly, slogged on up the hill. Stumbles boundless enthusiasm continued to the top and Mole Grips' John Inman impression was getting better with every hill the team tackled. Mole Grips had had an unfortuante accident the day before with his hydration pouch, which leaked down his back providing Stumbles with ample opportunity to take the mick. So it was only justice that some sort of vengence was visited upon him.</p> <p>"OK there's at least 25 people resting on top of this hill by the checkpoint" Loser remarked, "so we'll stop down the slope there and get going before everyone catches up, because its impossible to get by anyone along this track".</p> <p> "Right lets go then" Loser said after a couple of minutes rest, only to find Stumbles with his lunch neatly layed out on his picnic blanket, sack off, hydration sack dismantled, lucozade bottle  in hand and a look of panic on his face. "What...... now". Queue a wet bum with the added stickyness of Lucozade. </p> <p>The horseshoe route was magnificent, with views down into the central vallet and a series of boogy areas and lakes. These proved to be a challenge for all the teams and resulted in a lot of wet feet. The descent was steep but spectacular with a number of drops that looked improbable. The slope down to the air vent was great; tufted grass which was forgiving if you slipped. A tea tray would have made for an adventurous ride down.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_day2/2605536" title="Snowdonia_June2008-day2"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/536/2605536_f2567a8684_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-day2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Now the map was clear at this point. There was this easy to see green dotted path and most teams descided this was the way. How wrong could we all be. Thirty minutes later and after 20 minutes of incredibly difficult walking Take Five were lost. Even Stumbles amazing death dive into the swamp grass couldnt cheer the half-a-team up. "I know a shortcut" Loser stated and led everyone down a dead end valley for fifteen minutes before turning around and walking back up.</p> <p>There was only one thing for it and the Jaffa Cakes came out (at around the same time that the map hid itself between two boulders never to be seen again). Everyone felt a lot better and Loser's comment that if a farmer could put a gate in a field, he must have been able to get a tractor there, so ergo there must be a path, was met with disbalieving stares. He could almost here them saying "idiot". But it worked and fifteen minutes later they found the path, felt loads better and then realised they'd lost the map...........doh!</p> <p>Loser's ears were still ringing from Mole Grips encouraging comments like "You've done <tt>**!!</tt> what!!!. How do we know where to go fool?" Stumbles came to the rescue with a blind guess which everyone immediately accepted out of desperation. Five minutes later and Take Five had tagged onto the back of another team. Loser commented that it was a good idea to leave two members of the team out on the mountains with no map, when their group couldnt even find their way when they had one. Evil's followed.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_lost/2605545" title="Snowdonia_June2008-lost"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/545/2605545_07198fe05b_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-lost" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Working on instinct and the judgement of others, Five Star forged on and gave it everything for the last few miles. By time the team was in, things seemed a little brighter, although everyone had a feeling that a lot of time had been lost.  More importantly there was no sign of Choker and Taps. Were they OK. Had they been lost to the swamp..... Thats another story.</p> <p>That night in the pub everyone chatted over a few too many beers and agreed it had been a good entertaining day, grim at times but good fun. The realisation that about half the teams had got lost in the swamp helped to put things in context. Maybe a top ten finish was still on </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/07/15/day-2-leg-1-14th-june-4452295/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-07-13:/2008/07/13/day-1-leg-2-13th-june-4443874/Dillwat2008-07-13T22:05:40+02:002008-07-13T22:05:40+02:00 <p><strong>Layby on A498 to Nantgwynant car park<br>4.8 miles</strong></p> <p>Like a well oiled machine Take Five muddled around for a few moments before racing off towards the next checkpoint leaving a shattered Stumbles to sort out the transportation.</p> <p>The route down to the old power station follows a gravelly downhill track and Taps and Choker were raring to go. The pace was very quick as the whole team pushed hard to maintain the good time being set for the day. The path follows the stream heading down towards Lake Gwynant passing through deep meadow grass and boggy areas. At times the path seemed to disappear but Taps kept everyone on the straight and narrow, although at times the map had added real rivers as Taps lost half his body weight in sweat.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_power/2657971" title="Snowdonia_June2008-power"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/971/2657971_f68224f434_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-power" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Things became more tricky as Take Five entered a wood on the side of the lake. Of course faced with the decision of heading down a precipitous drop, hanging on to trees and sliding on bums or taking a right turn and going up a hill, Choker took the obvious decision. Which is why the team ended up on a cliff face in the middle of a wood with huge boulders under foot and no path. Fortunately everyone took consolation in the fact that the team ahead of us had made the same mistake. </p> <p>Dropping down towards the lakeshore a path was picked up, although it took the sighting of a jelly baby for everone to realise we were on the right trail. As it happens, the correct path was one that stayed up high, but the two paths came together providing another opportunity for Loser. "I know a shortcut" he said leading everyone on a pointless detour around a copse.</p> <p>The last time out the team made a promise to never cross walls or fences except at proper crossing points. This adds on miles, but also provides a sense of satisfaction that no country codes are broken. The team kept to this taking a longer route to the junction of the road, but still finishing off in a cracking time.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_drizzle/2605540" title="Snowdonia_June2008-drizzle"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/540/2605540_45ef9e79bc_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-drizzle" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Stumbles was there to greet everyone with water and congratulations............ Uh. No he wasnt. In fact he was down the road stuffing his face with Lemon Drizzle cake and cups of tea, a fact he had great pleasure in telling everyone.</p> <p>The end of day one saw Take Five in a good position, although thoroughly shattered from the near sprint on leg two. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/07/13/day-1-leg-2-13th-june-4443874/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-06-23:/2008/06/23/day-1-leg-1-13th-june-4351799/Dillwat2008-06-23T13:55:45+02:002008-07-11T22:40:46+02:00 <p><strong>Nant peris (Old Llanberis) to the Layby on A498.<br>9.9 miles</p> <p>Dom, Pete, Ian<br></strong><br>The teams self confidence was fading fast. The Loser's battlecry of "I know we can make a top ten placing" fell upon astonished faces. It was not suprising really given the current medical condition of Take Five. Two bad backs, a badly bruised leg, four sets of damaged knees. Not a bad count. Still Loser's enthusiasm was boundless. "Come on. We can do it!". "He's doing it again" Mole Grips muttered, "Make him stop".</p> <p>It took almost two minutes before Loser fouled up the navigation and took the team the wrong way, the first of many 'short cuts'. The first ascent, a long haul up to the first ridge at Elidir Fawr brought reality crashing home. Stumbles' inane chatter induced a sense of surrealism in the group of three, helping them to keep going. However it still knocked the stuffing out of everyone and set the tone for this leg of the challenge. The walk up to the ridge brings you quickly out of the valley and into the mountains. Its a great feeling but tiring when you havnt really warmed up properly. Mind you everyone seemed to be finding it hard.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_friends/2605542" title="Snowdonia_June2008-friends"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/542/2605542_c3fd41c51c_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-friends" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_climb/2605534" title="Snowdonia_June2008-climb"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/534/2605534_95b36241ec_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-climb" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="237" height="178"></a></p> <p>"Nearly there" Loser lied, not that anyone ever believed him anymore. "No really, the summits just over there!". Everyone ignored him. The team stared down into the valley below where another group had unfortunately taken a wrong turn and was trying to make their way back up a precipitous gulley. You could almost hear everyone thinking thank god thats not us.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_ogwen/2605549" title="Snowdonia_June2008-ogwen"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/549/2605549_a1096f96d8_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-ogwen" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_descent/2605539" title="Snowdonia_June2008-descent"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/539/2605539_04637aebf0_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-descent" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>With the ridge cracked Mole Grips accelerated hard and the team sped off toward the peak of Y Garn. The mood changed as the going got easier and everyone made good time. The scenery opened up providing spectacular vistas over towards Tryfan and the Ogwen valley. At this point the clouds closed in and drizzle started to set in. Moods became as damp as the weather as Take Five negotiated their way up towards Glyder Fawr via a horrible scree slope. Stumbles went out of his way to demonstrate his agility by falling over the first boulder he found and bashing his shin. Sympathy came flooding in - "Come on....  Get up and stop messing around!" was the chorus as his colleagues walked past him.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_heman/2605543" title="Snowdonia_June2008-heman"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/543/2605543_2f6afd4ba5_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-heman" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/snowdonia_june2008_orange/2605551" title="Snowdonia_June2008-orange"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/551/2605551_4112591bd1_s.jpg" alt="Snowdonia_June2008-orange" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>The team was still forging on as they approached Glyder Fach, Mole Grips using his patented 'hip' ascent technique to conquer the succession of climbs. "I know a shortcut" cried Loser as he took the team on a pointless detour to the top of Glyder Fach, the only non check point listed. "There's the cantilever stone. Everyone gets their picture taken on that", as he walked straight past. Stumbles looked grief stricken.</p> <p>The descent was a mad dash down a rocky path to the road and if you can imagine someone who's drunk and blindfolded you get an idea of what its like to do it with Stumbles. Every step was an immanent disaster. You could almost hear them warming the helicopter up.</p> <p>By some miracle Take Five made it in tact and raced in for the change over. The bid for the top ten was on. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/06/23/day-1-leg-1-13th-june-4351799/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2008-03-01:/2008/03/01/rough-tor-and-brown-willy-3802548/Dillwat2008-03-01T20:34:33+01:002008-03-01T21:24:02+01:00 <p><strong>1st March 2008</p> <p>Poldue Downs - Louden Hill - King Arthurs Hall - Butters Tor - Brown Willy - Rough Tor<br>Approx 13km or 8 miles<br></strong><br>Our first outing as Take Five saw us on a circuit of Bodmin Moor. Threatened by bad weather we all turned up with wet weather gear (except for Pete who turned up as a canary), but as it turned out we didnt need it, although it was a tadge windy.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_magellan2/2378874" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Magellan2"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/874/2378874_3341d04b61_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Magellan2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_roughtor/2378875" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-RoughTor"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/875/2378875_197f7aa89a_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-RoughTor" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>The route follows an obvious circuit linking the prominant peaks to the west of Rough Tor and looping back round to run up the false summits of Brown Willy. Its a beautiful and remote part of Cornwall and well worth the visit.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_garrowtor/2378869" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Garrowtor"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/869/2378869_ebcd5765f1_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Garrowtor" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_kahall/2378870" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-KAHall"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/870/2378870_e2286e469a_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-KAHall" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Its fairly easy going for the opening part and although we couldnt find the Stone Circle properly, navigation was not difficult. It would have been different had the weather closed in. Lunch was had in a wooded copse about 1/2 a K east of King Arthurs Hall, an old enclosure which presumably at some point had a building. Our budding Magellan's spent many seconds deciding over which direction to go, checking grid references and compass coordinates and then completely ignored the guidance of the compass and map and made their decisions by pure guesswork.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_magellan/2378873" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Magellan"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/873/2378873_e509159f39_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-Magellan" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_lunch/2378872" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-lunch"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/872/2378872_1eb528fa04_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-lunch" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><br><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_bwilly_3/2378867" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-3"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/867/2378867_531797e9b0_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-3" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_bwilly_2/2378866" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-2"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/866/2378866_67d5a73d91_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_delankval/2378868" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-DeLankVal"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/868/2378868_d18ee6766e_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-DeLankVal" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Still, we made it to the summit of Brown Willy without too many bad jokes and then a welcome break in the lee of the wind on Rough Tor. Pete's Kendall mintcake made us all feel like intrepid explorers. The only thing that spoilt the remotness of the place were the five or six quad bikes, thirty horses and riders, seven four wheel drive vehicles, large pack of dogs and Barbour jacketed entourage of the hunt that was trawling around looking for something to kill. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_hunt/2378894" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-hunt"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/894/2378894_6406783276_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-hunt" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bodmin_moor_mar08_bwilly_1/2378865" title="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-1"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/865/2378865_8f94c75d9d_s.jpg" alt="Bodmin-Moor_Mar08-BWilly-1" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>All in all a great walk and a good warm up for Snowdonia in June, even if the 'mountains' on Bodmin Moor and not quite on the same scale.</p> <p>Bring it!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2008/03/01/rough-tor-and-brown-willy-3802548/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-09-23:/2007/09/23/moretonhampstead~3028564/Dillwat2007-09-23T20:42:40+02:002008-03-01T19:26:51+01:00 <p><strong>23rd September 2007</strong></p> <p>You could call this end of season training for the fivestar team or 2008 pre season training. Malcolm sent us off on a route which wound its way through the hills around Moretonhampstead.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2000178" title="Mardon Down"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/178/2000178_8bcd947b59_s.jpg" alt="Mardon Down" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Although not as intense as the climbs in Snowdonia (obviously) there were plenty of up and down sections, enough to tire us all out thoroughly by the end. The walk heads off across fields, following a series of bridleways which run through tunnels of bushes and some pretty heavy brush.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2000177" title="Heltor-2"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/177/2000177_7a7cc9aa65_s.jpg" alt="Heltor-2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2000176" title="Heltor-1"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/176/2000176_f70d8e523c_s.jpg" alt="Heltor-1" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Once up on the moor's everything opens out, as does the scenery. Heltor is a little crag with a few climbing routes that Dom and myself scouted. A little bit of solo'ing up the west face got the heart going before it was off to Blackingstone Rock According to our guru Malc, this was the winning rock in the rock chucking contest between King Arthur and the devil?</p> <p>The view was fantastic.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2000175" title="Blackingstone Rock View"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/175/2000175_1e34e7c942_s.jpg" alt="Blackingstone Rock View" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>So now it looks like we will have to do a few more of these. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/09/23/moretonhampstead~3028564/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/tyn_y_bryn~2491966/Dillwat2007-06-21T10:18:51+02:002007-06-25T08:07:52+02:00 <p>The guest house we stayed at turned out to be brilliant. Nestled in its own grounds in the forests around Betws-Y-Coed, it was ideal. Returning each day from our walking, we were greeted by the owners with tea and cake on the lawn. It was lovely sat in the peace and quiet watching rabbits grazing and two Woodpeckers helping themselves to the the regular 'fat balls' and scones put out to feed them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712367" title="Tyn-y-Bryn-Panorama"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/367/1712367_495a467d88_s.jpg" alt="Tyn-y-Bryn-Panorama" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="55"></a></p> <p>The guest house is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone visiting this area. Gwen and John are a lovely friendly couple who cant seem to do enough for their guests. The rooms are comfortable but the grounds make the place, especially when the weather is good as it was when we were there.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712365" title="Tea-on-the-lawn"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/365/1712365_c9fb1dfe84_s.jpg" alt="Tea-on-the-lawn" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712366" title="the-winners-balcony"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/366/1712366_6198ec8fca_s.jpg" alt="the-winners-balcony" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>The hacky sack warm down could have been better. Clearly this was a toy my team mates had not come across, but it did provide a few laughs and no twisted ankles.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712363" title="More-cake-More-cake"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/363/1712363_552edf57bf_s.jpg" alt="More-cake-More-cake" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712364" title="Our-not-so-trusty-steed"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/364/1712364_d9411301d7_s.jpg" alt="Our-not-so-trusty-steed" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712430" title="Dom-are-you-in-here"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/430/1712430_799e802da3_s.jpg" alt="Dom-are-you-in-here" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/tyn_y_bryn~2491966/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/title~2491472/Dillwat2007-06-21T08:35:35+02:002007-06-21T20:16:56+02:00 <p>1 Telford Independent Trotters        15.28<br>2 Northern Lights                          15.58<br>3 Buttocks of Iron                         16.13<br>4 A Fistful Of Nancy's                    16.35 <br>5 Off Track                                   17.51<br>6 Felixstowe Flyers                       17.53<br>7 The Drifters                                18.34<br>8 On Schedule                              19.14<br>9 Romney Marsh Mountain Rescue 19.17<br>10 The Bleeding Feet                     19.21 <br>11 Hill's Trailblazers                       20.21 <br>12 Devon Ladies                            21.11<br>13 The Madhatters                         21.14 <br>14 Don't Believe The Hike               21.16<br>15 Flat Footers                              21.30 <br><strong><em>16 FiveStar                                    21.33 (This is us)<br></em></strong>17 Bruce & the Southern Softies     22.32 <br>18 Portsmouth                               22.54 <br>19 CheckPoint Charlie                    22.55<br>20 Bath WC                                  23.27 <br>21 London ROC                             23.38 <br>22 And We Know We Are              22.08<br>23 Lost Patrol                               23.04<br>24 The Thumping Hearts                24.34 </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/title~2491472/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/the_route_and_checkpoints~2491447/Dillwat2007-06-21T08:30:19+02:002007-06-21T10:59:11+02:00 <p><strong>SNOWDONIA CHALLENGE PLUS 2007 DAY 1</strong><br> <strong>Leg 1 6.90 Miles Explorer 17</strong></p> <p>Start Point: Car Park on the east side of the A4085 main road at Rhyd-Ddu, GR 571 526.</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 1-1 Destination the ?old? quarry, at GR 550 498 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 1-2 Destination junction of paths by fence stile and hole in wall at GR 553 497. </p> <p>Interval 1-3 Following the path on the ground heading south, destination summit of Moel<br> Lefn at GR 553485.</p> <p>Interval 1-4 Destination Moel Ogof at GR 556 478. </p> <p>Interval 1-5 Destination summit of Moel Hebog at GR 565 469 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 1-6 Destination the main car park in Beddgelert at GR 588 482. </p> <p>End of Leg 1<br> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> <strong>Leg 2- 6.92 Miles Explorer 17 </strong></p> <p>Start point: As per 1-6 above.</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 2-1 Destination junction of paths and cairn at GR 6025 4815 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 2-2 Destination via A4898, the National Trust Crafwyn Hall car park GR 599 489 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 2-3 Destination waterfall and footbridge at GR 603 493. </p> <p>Interval 2-4 Destination gap in the wall at GR 6138 5123 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 2-5 Destination summit of Yr Aran at GR 604 515 (CP) </p> <p>Interval 2-6 Destination Nantgwynant car park at GR 628 506. </p> <p>End of leg 2 and day 1.</p> <p><em><strong>Total Distance Day 1 13.82 miles.</strong></em><br> Leg 3 starts at Nant Peris car park (old Llanberis) at GR 606 584.</p> <p><strong>SNOWDONIA CHALLENGE PLUS 2007 DAY 2</strong><br> <strong>Leg 3 5.25 miles Explorer 17</strong></p> <p>Start Point: Nant Peris Car park (old Llanberis) at GR 606 584.</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 3-1 Destination path off of main track at GR 609 595.</p> <p>Interval 3-2 Destination stile on ridge at GR 616 597 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 3-3 Destination ladder stile at GR 621 603.</p> <p>Interval 3-4 Destination ladder stile at GR 624 603.</p> <p>Interval 3-5 Destination stile in fence at GR 6265 6030 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 3-6 Destination small cairn at split of paths North of Y Garn at GR 631 598 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 3-7 Destination car park on the A5 at GR 656 602. Alan</p> <p>End of Leg 3<br> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> <strong>Leg 4 10.45 Miles Explorer 17 </strong></p> <p>Start point: As per 3.7 above</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 4-1 Destination bottom of gully at GR 664 618 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 4-2 Destination summit of Pen Yr Ole Wen at GR 655 619.</p> <p>Interval 4-3 Destination summit of Carnedd Llewelyn at GR 684 644(CP). </p> <p>Interval 4-4 Destination summit of Yr Elen at GR 672 651(CP). </p> <p>Interval 4-5 Destination gate on footpath, 300 metres east of red-roofed cow shed, at GR 648 661.</p> <p>Interval 4-6 Destination car park in Bethesda at GR 6235 6680 </p> <p>End of Leg 4 and Day 2</p> <p><strong>Total Distance Day 2 15.70 miles</strong></p> <p>Leg 5 starts at picnic area by the stone bridge in Betws-Y-Coed at GR 792 568</p> <p><strong>SNOWDONIA CHALLENGE PLUS 2007 DAY 3</strong><br> <strong>Leg 5 6.09 miles Explorer 17</strong></p> <p>Start Point: Picnic area in Betws-Y-Coed by the stone bridge at GR 792 568</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 5-1 Destination South end of Llyn Parc at GR 7925 5835(CP). </p> <p>Interval 5-2 Destination disused Captain Kneebone?s mine at GR 7875 6015(CP).<br> Interval 5-3 Destination another disused mine at GR 781 601 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 5-4 Destination S edge of lake at GR 7720 6025.</p> <p>Interval 5-5 Destination disused mine at GR 767 603 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 5-6 Destination picnic site and toilets at GR 7565 6180. </p> <p>End of Leg 5<br> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong>Leg 6 4.15 Miles Explorer 17 </strong></p> <p>Start point: As per 5-6 above</p> <p>Visit the following locations in the order shown:</p> <p>Interval 6-1 Destination end of reservoir at GR 7535 6160.</p> <p>Interval 6-2 Destination footbridge at GR 739 605 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 6-3 Destination gate at GR 740 602.</p> <p>Interval 6-4 Destination bridge at GR 732 582 (CP). </p> <p>Interval 6-5 Destination Tyn-Y-Coed Hotel, Capel Curig at GR 732573..</p> <p>End of Leg 6 and Day 3</p> <p><strong>Total Distance Day 3 10.24 miles</strong><br> Total Distance for the three days 39.76 miles</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/the_route_and_checkpoints~2491447/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/day_3_leg_6_10th_june~2491360/Dillwat2007-06-21T08:13:33+02:002007-07-01T22:06:05+02:00 <p><strong>Llyn Crafnant Resevoir to Capel Curig<br>4.15 Miles</strong><br>The end of an event like this can bring you back to earth with a thump. I find that I am pleased to have completed the challenge, but at the same time disappointed that it is over. This is how I felt at the end this time. If I am honest I would have liked a high peak like last year for the final leg, something spectacular to finish on. But overall the first two days seemed to have had more climbs, so it was not surprising that the last day would be more gentle.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712111" title="Crimpiiau-Vally"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/111/1712111_47273f4eb3_s.jpg" alt="Crimpiiau-Vally" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712112" title="final-descent"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/112/1712112_491e191c70_s.jpg" alt="final-descent" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a></p> <p>Overall the organisation of the event was fantastic. The legs are diverse, giving you a taste of much of what Snowdonia has to offer. We vwent up rocky climbs, down scree slopes, across ridges, through forests and around lakes. To put all this together is a feat in it's own right and I can only thank those involved (all the marshalls and route planners) for so much fun. We've been lucky for two years, with stunning weather so nothing has been hidden. Snowdonia in all its glory; from what I can gather this is not usual, but long may it continue.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1712113" title="Finally-over"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/113/1712113_41f138cf5a_s.jpg" alt="Finally-over" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749346" title="Scratching-the-midge-Bites"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/346/1749346_dba31bbdbe_s.jpg" alt="Scratching-the-midge-Bites" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><br>I forget to mention the bloody midges! Above you can see me scratching away at one of many bites. No one is immune.... You dont really notice them until it is too late, but somehow they seem to be able to get past everything. Maybe they are becoming resistant to repellant or maybe I'm using the wrong one. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/day_3_leg_6_10th_june~2491360/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-20:/2007/06/20/day_3_leg_5_10th_june~2490032/Dillwat2007-06-20T22:20:09+02:002007-07-01T22:02:40+02:00 <p><strong>Betws-Y-Coed to Llyn Crafnant Resevoir<br>6.09 Miles<br></strong><br> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>It's normal that on the last day the distance is not so great. This is to ensure a reasonably early finish to the event. The final day this year was a surprise for us. I had anticipated a short leg with possibly a steep section - sort of up and down but quickly. The organisers did a good job in fooling us. It was a forest leg, with navigation one of the main elements. As a result it turned into a relative sprint, with the climbing sections being moderate and relatively short. Both Tony and Lyn decided to go the whole day and I think Malc would have as well, if he hadnt shredded his feet walking in a newish pair of boots.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1711515" title="Llyn-y-parc"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/515/1711515_2d1f3f2c2b_s.jpg" alt="Llyn-y-parc" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1711514" title="Disused-mine"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/514/1711514_4c81b04132_s.jpg" alt="Disused-mine" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749345" title="Lyn-Parc"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/345/1749345_6fe91c6cbf_s.jpg" alt="Lyn-Parc" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>Finding the checkpoints was altogether a different proposition though. Navigating in woods with a map and compass is not so easy. You are alright until you no longer know exactly where you are on the map. Once in that position, it's easy to take wrong bearings and turns because it&rsquo;s easy to imagine you are in one place, when in reality you are in another. Fortunately for me, Tony was there to set me straight on occasions because I got it seriously wrong and would have had us heading off into the woods on completely the wrong tack.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1711516" title="Mynydd-Bwlchyrhaearn"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/516/1711516_a00660e2c5_s.jpg" alt="Mynydd-Bwlchyrhaearn" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1711517" title="Tony-saves-the-day"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/517/1711517_6227d15123_s.jpg" alt="Tony-saves-the-day" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749347" title="One-of-many-lakes"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/347/1749347_0f8574d6b2_s.jpg" alt="One-of-many-lakes" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>So, with the sun beating down through the firebreaks we pushed hard to try to keep our place or even improve. This area around Betws-Y-Coed is very picturesque. Different to the ruggedness of the hills. With tranquil, mirrored lakes dotting the area, we wound through valleys and forests. We spied a pair of cuckoos in one of the open areas (first time I've ever seen one), strange birds with necks that look too long.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1711513" title="Cuckoo-Woods"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/513/1711513_cc99f4a66f_s.jpg" alt="Cuckoo-Woods" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="65"></a></span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/20/day_3_leg_5_10th_june~2490032/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-20:/2007/06/20/day_2_leg_4_9th_june~2485753/Dillwat2007-06-20T10:32:12+02:002007-06-20T10:32:12+02:00 <p><strong>Llyn Ogwen to Bethesda<br>10.45 miles<br></strong>It seems that there is a tradition for this leg to be the longest on the challenge. Once again leg 4 turned out to be a stamina sucking section, with a steep initial climb followed by a long ridge walk which connects a series of peaks, the highest being Carnedd Llewelyn. It's spectacular country with views across Ogwen and Llafar valleys. Once up on the ridge the walking is not so tough.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1709461" title="tryfan-behind-tired-dom"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/461/1709461_800e4c2a11_s.jpg" alt="tryfan-behind-tired-dom" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1709462" title="ogwen-valley"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/462/1709462_ce271561c5_s.jpg" alt="ogwen-valley" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>For this section it was Malc, Dom and myself. The most difficult part of this leg was the descent, which was blister inducing, forcing your feet into the front of your boots. We all suffered here; Dom managed to use all of Lyn's blister plasters that night in order to patch his sorry feet. Mind you, Dom walked all day which as with last year was a major accomplishment.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1709457" title="a-few-more-feet"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/457/1709457_3299ea7c49_s.jpg" alt="a-few-more-feet" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1709459" title="Carnedd-Dafydd-in-the-backg"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/459/1709459_0c364e93eb_s.jpg" alt="Carnedd-Dafydd-in-the-backg" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>The climb up onto Pen yr Ole Wen was amazing, with Tryfan framing an amazing backdrop down the valley. That's one for the future (they dont include it in the challenge because there is too much scrambling and climbing). This route included an interesting gulley section going up the ridge to Ole Wen, which required a bit of scrambling - for those with a dislike for heights it is nerve wracking.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1709458" title="bonding"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/458/1709458_8f3be16f2a_s.jpg" alt="bonding" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>All in all a good leg though, one which I think we gained some time with Malcolm putting on his turbo boots for the ridge section and leading us along at a cracking pace. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/20/day_2_leg_4_9th_june~2485753/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-16:/2007/06/16/day_2_leg3_9th_june~2462254/Dillwat2007-06-16T09:59:43+02:002007-07-14T17:53:39+02:00 <p><strong>Nant Peris (Old Llanberis) to Llyn Ogwen<br>5.25 Miles<br></strong>This was to be Dom's big day. As with last year Day 2 looked to be the tougher of all the days.with five summits, two of which were over a 1000 metres. Leg 3 was a straight dash for the summit of Y Garn, with a spectacular, steep and very loose descent to the lake below (Llyn Ogwen). A few teams found the descent intimidating and with Tony's head for heights it would prove interesting.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1695575" title="Day-Two-Squad"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/575/1695575_0f16e36587_s.jpg" alt="Day-Two-Squad" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1695579" title="Y-Garn-in-the-background"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/579/1695579_cd52df4294_s.jpg" alt="Y-Garn-in-the-background" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a></p> <p>Dom, Lyn and Tony stomped off up the valley out of Nant Peris towards the initial ridge of Esgair y Ceunant. From here it was across the vallet and straight for the summit. The fact it was the hottest morning so far didnt help (Tony looked loke a waterfall) and taking on water throughout was important. Dom had said to me the previous day that the waiting was a killer for the second leg. I understood what he meant after this day. The organisers had limited the first leg to a 3.5 hour cut off time. As the clock ticked through you could not help but imagine all kinds of disasters and as the deadline approached there were plenty of nervous faces in the car park. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1695578" title="Lake-Panorama"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/578/1695578_209618279a_s.jpg" alt="Lake-Panorama" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="72"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749242" title="View-from-Y-Garn"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/242/1749242_7f61b2f68f_s.jpg" alt="View-from-Y-Garn" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>I'd much rather be walking than waiting</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1695577" title="Impressive-Tryfan"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/577/1695577_df1cb52286_s.jpg" alt="Impressive-Tryfan" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>It wasnt an issue in the end. Dom and troop came in with plenty of time to spare and with tales of the harrowing descent. Dom looked suprisingly fresh so it was on for Leg 4. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/16/day_2_leg3_9th_june~2462254/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-15:/2007/06/15/day_1_leg_2_8th_june~2460138/Dillwat2007-06-15T20:37:54+02:002007-06-15T20:37:54+02:00 <p><strong>Beddgelert to Nantgwynant<br>6.9 miles<br></strong>We walked up out of Beddgelert through the Rhodedendron scrub which was a splash of colour at this time of year. It was very beautiful and despite the steepness was great route to Craflwyn Hall. Dom set a cracking pace on this first section with me and Malc following in his wake. We didnt know what was coming next though.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694363" title="Yr-Aran-behind-the-boys"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/363/1694363_3056bfae97_s.jpeg" alt="Yr-Aran-behind-the-boys" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694360" title="Goose-Fat"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/360/1694360_6264e3edc6_s.jpeg" alt="Goose-Fat" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Yr Aran is by no means the highest peak in this area, but he climb to the top turned out to be the hardest of the whole challenge. I think the most difficult aspect was that it was across country, making walking harder and route finding a bit more difficult. We seemed to have to pick our way through small crags and runnels. Finding a cool stream half way up was a bonus, especially as the sun was now beating down. Its amazing how sticking your head in a brook can revitalise you so quickly and become the highlight of the day.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694358" title="Dom-resting-on-Yr-Aran"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/358/1694358_e29e9afe7c_s.jpeg" alt="Dom-resting-on-Yr-Aran" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694359" title="Exhausted-on-Yr-Aran"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/359/1694359_e50f3bde98_s.jpeg" alt="Exhausted-on-Yr-Aran" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694362" title="Summit-of-Yr-Aran"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/362/1694362_b67d4c63cc_s.jpeg" alt="Summit-of-Yr-Aran" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1694361" title="Malc-looking-back-down-the-"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/361/1694361_5881848566_s.jpeg" alt="Malc-looking-back-down-the-" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>By the end of the second leg there were plenty of tired legs and as with last year it was a great first day. Add to that the fact that my reputation as a compulsive liar had been somewhat redeemed. It turns out that my attempts to convince my team that the summit was closer than it really was, was not some warped motivational tool. It was just bad map-reading.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/15/day_1_leg_2_8th_june~2460138/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-06-15:/2007/06/15/day_1_leg_1_8th_june~2456893/Dillwat2007-06-15T11:04:11+02:002007-07-01T21:50:34+02:00 <p><strong>Rhyd-Ddu Station to Beddgelert</strong><br><strong>6.9 miles<br></strong>Unlike last year we were given our start points the day before and also all the check points and way stations. You would have thought that this would settle everyone's nerves and take a little of the panic out of the start. Not so...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692560" title="What-me-nervous"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/560/1692560_682db8fb8e_s.jpeg" alt="What-me-nervous" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749240" title="Moels-Lefn-and-Ogof-"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/240/1749240_e670da50c3_s.jpg" alt="Moels-Lefn-and-Ogof-" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>Things were not helped by our rent-a-wreck from MY motors which proceeded to have a tantrum and blow its starter motor. So we began the day with just three of our team at the start point, with the prospect of walking all day if the support car was not fixed. Looking at the map I took my usual approach of completely missguessing the terrain. Honest Ian's initial take on the leg was "this wont be so bad. It's a shortish leg and maybe it'll take around 3 hours or so". Ian is a fool sometimes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692557" title="Innocence"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/557/1692557_e43eced6f4_s.jpeg" alt="Innocence" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692553" title="Appraoch-to-Moel-Lefn"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/553/1692553_0ebb7f4a2f_s.jpeg" alt="Appraoch-to-Moel-Lefn" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692554" title="Base-of-main-climb-to-Moel-"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/554/1692554_545788f79a_s.jpeg" alt="Base-of-main-climb-to-Moel-" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749239" title="Moel-Ogof"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/239/1749239_131e0eebbb_s.jpg" alt="Moel-Ogof" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>4.5 hours. That's how long it took and there was plenty to keep us occupied. Lyn, Tony and myself (Ian) initially climbed the forest trails up to the base of Moel Lefn, a beautiful trail with a stunning but somewhat scary view of the crag when we arrived at Bwich Cwm-trwsgl (where are the vowels!). The first climb was a shock to the system, sustained and steep but fortunately not too long. The same could be said for the section to Moel yr Ogof. However Moel Hebog was a rising ramp which seemed to go on for ever, one of those climbs where the summit seems to move further away.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692556" title="How-steep"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/556/1692556_8ca44f33dc_s.jpeg" alt="How-steep" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692561" title="Wheres-that-water"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/561/1692561_0e04602e58_s.jpeg" alt="Wheres-that-water" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692558" title="Moel-Hebog-views"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/558/1692558_1f2d855b2c_s.jpeg" alt="Moel-Hebog-views" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749237" title="Dropping-off-Moel-Ogof"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/237/1749237_938b5a3884_s.jpg" alt="Dropping-off-Moel-Ogof" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><br> <p class="MsoNormal">The view on the descent to Beddgelert must be one of the most spectacular in Snowdonia. It is reminiscent of the Alps with the village appearing as a tiny hamlet far below. So the nice easy first leg turned out to be a good test of the teams strength and stamina. A feast of spectacular views and three summits ticked already. Cant be bad.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749238" title="Moel-Hebog.pg"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/238/1749238_b01b88fb17_s.jpg" alt="Moel-Hebog.pg" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1692555" title="descent-to-Beddgelert"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/555/1692555_0c646c6c12_s.jpeg" alt="descent-to-Beddgelert" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="135" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749236" title="Bedgelert-far-below"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/236/1749236_47ae50fa37_s.jpg" alt="Bedgelert-far-below" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1749241" title="Rocky-descent-to-Bedgelert"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/241/1749241_b4117c8faa_s.jpg" alt="Rocky-descent-to-Bedgelert" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/06/15/day_1_leg_1_8th_june~2456893/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2007-05-14:/2007/05/14/in_training_for~2270004/Dillwat2007-05-14T20:08:57+02:002007-05-14T20:30:58+02:00 <p><strong>Monday 14th May 2007</strong><br>Well we are off on our rambles again. We've entered a new team for the Snowdonia Challenge, so its time to see just how unfit we are or aren't. With Tony and Dominic joining myself Lyn and Malcolm we set off from Port Isaac to Polzeath. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1583307" title="Port-Quin-Panorama"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/307/1583307_fea0261920_s.jpeg" alt="Port-Quin-Panorama" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>We rekoned this would be around the ten mile mark and with the steep valleys to negotiate it would give us a good test on stamina and fitness. It was also an opportunity for us all to get together and walk as a group. So by the end the team dynamics were well and truly formed. Tony doesnt like Dominic who in turn won't walk with Lyn. Ian thinks everyone else is useless and WHO is Malcolm anyway??</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1583308" title="Lunch-on-the-Rumps"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/308/1583308_4b2121b212_s.jpeg" alt="Lunch-on-the-Rumps" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Should be fun.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2007/05/14/in_training_for~2270004/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-21:/2006/06/21/the_medal_ceremony~900913/Dillwat2006-06-21T22:20:29+02:002006-08-04T18:21:38+02:00 <p>Having completed the challenge we wondered how well we had done. When we started out our intention was to complete the event. In doing so we hoped to raise money for our sponsored charities '<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3202723.stm">The Christy Grose Trust</a>', '<a href="http://www.forcecancercharity.co.uk">Force Cancer Charity</a>' and '<a href="http://www.babesbigappeal.org.uk/">Childrens Hospice South West</a>'. But we all had a feeling we had done better than just completing the course. As it turned out we came 11th out of 30 teams. Six had dropped out, but even taking that into account the effort we put in was tremendous.<br> <br><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638398"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/398/638398_5339214865_s.jpeg" alt="The fab five" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638396"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/396/638396_80a7ea8572_s.jpeg" alt="Cooling down after the final leg" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>The total sponsorship from this event was £485.04, £180 from the Launceston office went to Force.  They are a charity based in Exeter and they provide help and support to anyone who is affected by cancer, so that includes the family and carers of cancer sufferers as well as the cancer sufferers themselves. £305.04 was collected from Redruth, Penzance, St Austell and Plymouth of which £152.52 went to The Christy Grose Trust Fund and the remaining £152.52 is going to The Children's Hospice South West. Thanks again to everyone who supported us.</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638397"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/397/638397_ea823a9966_s.jpeg" alt="The Exeter Ladies" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638400"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/400/638400_cc2642c44c_s.jpeg" alt="The fab five - 2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> <br>The effort by the Exeter Ladies team was also something special. Two members of the team ended up walking all six legs! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/21/the_medal_ceremony~900913/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-21:/2006/06/21/day_3_leg_6_11th_june~900878/Dillwat2006-06-21T22:05:43+02:002006-06-21T22:05:43+02:00 <p><strong>Dolwyddelan Station to Capel Curig</strong><br> <strong><em>6.8 miles</em></strong><br> The final leg turned out to have the most dramatic ridge. A worthy end to the challenge. As with many of the legs the first half of the route was uphill, but the scenery waqs stunning. We passed by a lake which appeared to have a beach. Given a bit more time I think we would have all jumped in.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638330"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/330/638330_cb91018816_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Kelvin and Denise at Llyn Foel" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638331"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/331/638331_02d093810b_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Carnedd Moel Siabod" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> The ridge proved to be challenging but well within our limits. Keeping a good pace going we negotiated a series of scrambles and short climbs. But, we were all glad to see the top.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638350"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/350/638350_7f01b34c67_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Dolwyddelan Valley - 1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638351"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/351/638351_2d55441bd0_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Dolwyddelan Valley - 2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638352"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/352/638352_04424ae64e_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Dolwyddelan Valley - 3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> The downward section turned into a sprint. Two teams in front of us for the most part, but the incredible pace set by Denise and Kelvin saw us overhall one of them and almost both.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638363"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/363/638363_50df244bbe_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Capel Curig - 1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638364"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/364/638364_f3657eeabb_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Capel Curig - 2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638365"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/365/638365_31bde762fe_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Capel Curig - 3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/21/day_3_leg_6_11th_june~900878/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-21:/2006/06/21/day_3_leg_5_11th_june~900797/Dillwat2006-06-21T21:36:38+02:002006-06-21T21:36:38+02:00 <p><strong>Penmachno to Dolwyddelan Railway Station</strong><br> <strong><em>4.5 Miles</em></strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638263"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/263/638263_31d8269e25_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Not so nervous on Day 3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638264"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/264/638264_de5b533344_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The trusty steed" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> We set a cracking pace in this leg going flat out all the way. A mixture of steep forest walking to start (theres that word steep again)and rough bridleways kept us busy, but we again took advantage of some canny navigation to steal a march on some of the other teams. At one point we had problems keeping to the track as big areas of boggy ground meant choosing a careful path. Many of us still ended up with boots full of mud and water but a really enjoyable leg all the same.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/21/day_3_leg_5_11th_june~900797/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-21:/2006/06/21/day_2_leg_4_10th_june~900707/Dillwat2006-06-21T21:09:54+02:002006-06-21T21:09:54+02:00 <p><strong>Nantlle to Beddgelert</strong><br> <strong><em>9.9miles</em></strong><br> This was a real cracker of a leg. Basically it was uphill for 2 1/2 hours.... a steep and relentless hill which hugged the ridge leading up to Garnedd-Goch. Many of the teams bunched on this leg as everyone slowed down. For Malcolm who was on his second leg of the day this climb was tough.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638158"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/158/638158_b7b38b3ba7_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The ridge on Garnedd-Goch" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638159"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/159/638159_3638f2423b_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The crag at Ogof" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638164"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/164/638164_be0e54c7bb_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Llynrau Cwm Silyn" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Once on the ridge we were treated to a series of saddles and scrambles. A real mixture of walking and climbing. Great fun but very tiring. The final part was a rapid and steep descent tp Beddgelert forest and the relative relief of proper trails. We chose to take the easy path which turned out to be a good idea. Although further we moved quickly and we believe we made up a lot of time on some of the others - including our nemisis flouro-shirt (aka 'tosser').</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638174"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/174/638174_f0a15b85a8_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The ridge at Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>By time we made it to the end Malcolm was running on fumes after a heroic effort where he never gave up and kept the pace going. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/21/day_2_leg_4_10th_june~900707/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-21:/2006/06/21/day_2_leg_3_10th_june~900626/Dillwat2006-06-21T20:44:38+02:002006-06-21T22:59:43+02:00 <p><strong>Rhyd-ddu to Nantlle</strong><br> <strong><em>7.2 miles</em></strong><br> This was a tough leg as conditions had deteriorated and the wind was blowing strongly. A long steep climb up Mynydd Mawr and then a descent to the lake Llyn Ffynhonnau. We hadnt realised this, but day two would turn out to be the toughest day of the three with two really hard legs to complete. Malcolm had drawn the short straw and was due to walk both of them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638091"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/091/638091_8898145e50_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Mynydd Mawr" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638015"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/015/638015_fcf3f9a786_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Nantlle Valley" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=638016"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/016/638016_645d5e89fe_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Mynydd Drws-y-coed" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/21/day_2_leg_3_10th_june~900626/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-19:/2006/06/19/day_1_leg_2_9th_june~895405/Dillwat2006-06-19T22:50:18+02:002006-06-21T23:02:10+02:00 <p><strong>Tanygrisiau Resevoir to Cwyn Cynfal</strong><br> <strong><em>7.5 miles</em></strong><br> This leg was a real test of our navigation skills. Most of this leg followed forest tracks or a steep river valley. Finding the checkpoints proved to be a real problem,particularly in the bottom of the valley. The walking was really awkward with the ground covered in roots and holes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=633225"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/225/633225_eef8a5c4f3_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The forest trek" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=633226"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/226/633226_1ce8eee068_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Checkpoint" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/19/day_1_leg_2_9th_june~895405/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-19:/2006/06/19/day_1_leg_1_9th_june~894908/Dillwat2006-06-19T20:11:48+02:002006-06-21T23:04:12+02:00 <p><strong>Nantmor to Tanygrisiau Resevoir</strong><br> <strong><em>10.2 miles</em></strong><br> There were plenty of nervous faces on the first leg. None of us had taken part in the challenge before, so we had no idea what to expect. Navigation was one of the biggest worries. We were all hoping it wouldnt be too difficult.</p> <p>So making a mistake within minutes of starting helped to settle our nerves..... not! Still, we got better and gradually made way down the valley of the Nanmor river before branching off at our first checkpoint and heading up towards Cnicht across some beautiful open country.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=632413"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/413/632413_a1cd55fa0e_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Cnicht in the distance" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=632414"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/414/632414_2cff491797_s.jpeg" align="" alt="Heading for the ridge to Cnicht" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The ridge up to Cnicht was a bit of a suprise, but set the tone for the rest of the challege. It was steep and hard going with some real scrambling in places. Great fun. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=632416"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/416/632416_769bed7ca8_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The ridge up to Cnicht" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/19/day_1_leg_1_9th_june~894908/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:fabfive.blog.co.uk,2006-06-17:/2006/06/17/humble_beginnings~889847/Dillwat2006-06-17T22:19:22+02:002006-06-17T23:10:59+02:00 <p>Picking up my emails I read through the brief-</p> <p><em>'This event is probably, the toughest in the HMRC sporting calendar. It is a three-day, endurance, walking competition, set in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park that is designed to test individual stamina and team working to the limit. The aim of the event is to walk from the start point of leg 1 to the end of leg 6 over 3 days, navigating your way over various peaks and covering approximately 50 miles. Needless to say, competitors need to be very fit before they enter. You should take several months to prepare for this event and get plenty of practice at spending all day on your feet, walking. Also, whilst we always use paths and not graded scrambles, in parts the routes can be very steep, so you should not enter if you suffer from vertigo.'</em></p> <p>So.... sounds easy. Where would I find four more like minded individuals who wanted to put themselves through three days of foot torture?</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=627738"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/738/627738_52f5b15fd1_s.jpeg" align="" alt="The Team" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fabfive.blog.co.uk/2006/06/17/humble_beginnings~889847/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>