A DAY IN THE BRECON BEACONS
“Is this going to be the year you climb a mountain with me? Your brother has done it…it’s your turn Hansley! Do you want to join me this time?” Have all been rhetorical questions my dad had previously thrown at me, until about a month ago, when I stunned him and actually agreed to come with him and climb that mountain.
The outdoors and nature has always bewildered me, I have always had a deep interest in being outside. Spending most of my childhood outdoors in the green fields, in the rivers or simply in the garden, then transcending this into my teens where I fell in love with the sea. However, walking - actually going on a hike for the sole purpose of getting to a final destination to come back down never stood out to me. This summer however, I let that change and decided to walk Pen Y Fan with my dad before I travelled back to the capital to continue with my degree (and for a fact will not get the chance to look at any mountains).
Pen Y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales, situated in the mountain range called ‘The Brecon Beacons’ so naturally I felt nervous going into this - with my dad especially, who basically climbs a mountain like it's nothing every week. This mountain is 2906 feet above sea level so my natural comfort of the ocean was way below me, which also got me out of my comfort zone.
Just before we started our climb my dad pointed out the iconic, red telephone box which is a starting point for the ‘Fan Dance’ a 24k march through the beautiful beacons which is completed by all UK special forces. Not only does it test your strength, but it makes you work as a team. Me and my dad weren’t quite doing that challenge on this day, but it was an interesting fact to start off the walk.
A steep, uphill path certainly got us sweating during the first half of the hike - with the hot sun right over us from the moment we started walking. No complaints here though as the tan was worth the sweat by the end of the day!
Sheep, and wild ponies kept us entertained throughout the constant incline as they peacefully ate away at the mountain. About 25 minutes in we joined them and took a minute’s break to get some sugar in our system…with some jelly babies. They are a Jon Barnett special when climbing a mountain, always a gaudy bag of sweets somewhere in his rucksack.
As we got higher, the mountain seemed more peaceful and green as it constantly rolled over each other like a velvet blanket. I also noticed the handful of different people who had taken to the mountain; children, elders, couples and of course dogs. It makes you realise that you can do this - in fact annually more than 500,000 people complete it.
Finally, we got to the peak, the sun was blaring and the sky was so blue, it was lovely (apart from the selfie queue next to the old plaque). We sat and ate our sandwiches - which felt well deserved - and looked out at the views of Lyn Cwm Llwch, the pool that lies between the mountain edges, and the weather allowed us to see beyond this and point out the little towns of South Wales.
Personally, I found coming down much harder than the joy ride up to the top, maybe because the adrenaline has gone, you're taking bigger steps, or just tired. But I was kept excited by the mini wild swimming spot that lies at the bottom of the route. Best believe I did get in, the water was the perfect temperature to cool me down but also not too cold where I couldn’t relax. I splashed my face with the trickling waterfall and that was our completed walk.
Me and my dad finished up in Crickhowell, a little town about 30 minutes drive away from the mountains. We certainly worked up an appetite, and we went to one of their local pubs: ‘The Britannia Inn’, and had a burger each which kept us quiet for about 10 minutes! We also visited a shop called ‘Book - ish’ an adorable book shop with a quaint coffee shop downstairs - maybe a spot for next time to try one of their delicacies as a post hike treat.
This day is something I’ll never forget, and a memory with my dad that I will cherish forever.
A day in the Beacons.
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