"A Walk in the valley" 

When  ​​
​Friday 27th - Sunday 29th September 
​

Where
​Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons, Wales)
​

Mission Objective​
​24 miles in 12 hours

Walking in the Brecon Beacons can be a wonderful experience, as the national park in South Wales offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a range of walking trails.

Our plan will be to take on the legendary Brecon Horseshoe route (and much more ) which is challenging upland mountain walk that takes you into the heart of the Central Brecon Beacons.   The reward for this mountain walk are spectacular views when the weather is on your side.

This is a classic Brecon Beacons walk taking in the Brecon Beacons highest peaks; Corn Du (873m), Pen y Fan (886m) , Cribyn (795m) and Fan y Big (719m). 

The walk is mainly on good tracks but there are some boggy sections along the way
​
We will extend this walk to hit our target of 25 miles  ​

​Pen y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales, situated in Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog). At 886 metres (2,907 ft) above sea-level,  It is the highest point  of the historic county of Brecknockshire (though in modern administrative terms, it now lies within the unitary council area of Powys). The twin summits of Pen y Fan and Corn Du at 873 metres (2,864 ft) were formerly referred to as Cadair Arthur or 'Arthur's Seat'.

Our start and finish point will be iconic Red Phone Box at the  Storey Arms Activity centre. 
Since the end of the Second World War, the Brecon Beacons have served as the proving ground for Britain’s elite soldiers, with the SAS in particular basing a large part of their selection process in the hills. The essential elements of the "Selection" program have remained constant and unchanged since 1956, a series of back to back self-navigated, heavy load-bearing test marches, wearing boots and carrying an assault rifle over arduous mountain terrain, whatever the weather condition. Throughout four weeks of physical assessment there are a number of standout tests, "The Fan Dance" is one them. The infamous 24km route over both sides of Pen y Fan at the end of Week 1 has always been considered the yardstick of a candidates potential to reach Test Week and ultimately pass the Special Forces "Selection" program.
The "Red Phone Box" is recognised by both military and civilians as the starting point for the world famous Fan Dance and is completed by more than a thousand civilians each year.
It is a monument to those that have completed the Fan Dance and is a significant reminder of those that have served and continue to serve our country.

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PROPOSED Route

• Start / Finish: The Red Phone Box, The Storey Arms (5 min drive from where we are staying)
• Total Distance: 38 km / 24 miles 
• Elevation: 187 metres at lowest point / 884 metres at highest point
• Total Accent: 1704 metres 
• Approx walking time: 10 -12 hours 

PLEASE NOTE THAT UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS THERE WILL NO TOILETS OR SNACK VANS ON ROUTE

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OUR ACCOMMODATION 

Coed Owen Farm, Cwmtaff, Merthyr Tydfil, Powys CF48 2HY
​(BUNK HOUSE)

Food & Drink Arrangements: 
​

• Evening meals will be courtesy of Darke & Taylor at the local pub.
• YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN FOOD AND DRINK FOR THE HIKE & BUNKHOUSE. 

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HIke KIt List 

YOU WILL NEED TO CARRY / WEAR -
In your hike pack - 

• Head torch
• Flashing Red LED light (to indicate your in trouble)
• Whistle
• Very Warm Coat
• Mobile Phone
• 2 pairs of socks (QUALITY SOCKS WILL MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE FROM A PAINFUL WALK TO AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE) 
• Walking boots ideal if wet / trail trainers if dry - NO LEISURE / GYM TRAINERS
• Walking trousers
• Base layer/fleece top
• Water / windproof jacket
• 2 x T-Shirts
• Woolly hat
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Blister gear / plasters
• TOILET PAPER
• Food & Drink (min 2 litres) 
• Walking poles if you have any concerns or niggles - Poles will help
• FOOD AND DRINK FOR THE DAY 

This list may read pretty full on but please remember the weather can massively change in minutes.
Worse case scenario is if an accident happens and you waiting for mountain rescue / emergency services to get to you, it could take 4/6 hours for them to get to you - YOU MUST HAVE ENOUGH KIT IN YOUR PACK TO KEEP YOU WARM, DRY, FED AND WATERED. (SELF SUFFICIENT) 
Plan for the worst and hope for the best  

PLEASE SEE THE FOOTAGE FROM LAST YEAR'S SUMMER TRIP TO THE BRECONS WITH ANOTHER CLIENT OF OURS

Tips & Tricks

PACKING & ORGANISING YOUR RUCKSACK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

If you’re going camping, heading out on a hike, expedition, DofE, or are off to a music festival for the weekend, then you’ll need a backpack in which to carry the majority of your gear.
But you can’t just stuff it all in and be on your way – that’s a recipe for disaster. There’s actually a fine art to packing a rucksack so that you can squeeze more in and keep everything in there nice and safe.

Here’s how it goes…

Plan Ahead
If you just go throwing everything into your pack then it’s just going to be one big unorganised mess. As with all outdoor pursuits, planning is very important, so spread out everything you’re going to need on the bed or floor and group things together – clothes, toiletries, sleeping equipment, cooking gear, etc – so it’s all nice and neat in your bag.
In terms of how much to take with you, there’s a fine line between only packing the essentials and erring on the side of caution and taking more than you need. Obviously your essential kit is the first thing you need to make sure you have, but if there’s space for other equipment you think you might need, then take it with you.
However, a selfie stick is not essential – always ensure you plan well wherever you’re going.

Packing a backpack
Where to pack heavy items
Where you pack the items in your bag is incredibly important. Pack them in the wrong places and you could find it more difficult to carry it or could even end up hurting yourself.

Heavy and dense items should be placed as close to your back as possible. This means that it’s much easier to position the weight just above your hips by leaning forward slightly. If you put the heavy kit towards the outside of the backpack then you’ll have to lean much further forward to get it over your hips which won’t be comfortable.

From top to bottom and side to side, heavier items should be placed towards the centre. If you put them towards the bottom then you could feel like your pack is pulling you down, and if they’re at the top you might feel like you’re tipping backwards.

Likewise, if they’re packed to one side, your centre of gravity is less central, which could make you lean to one side, making it more difficult to hike for long periods of time.


How to pack a rucksack
Fill in the empty space
You need to make every bit of space count, so fill in any gaps you can find in your bag, including right in the corners. Items such as socks and t-shirts are excellent for filling in the gaps, and will also help stop the heavier items from shifting around in your bag.

If your sleeping bag is taking up too much room then a compression bag or stuff sack could help you reduce its size when packed away.

Try to leave a little space
Whilst you want to fill in the gaps, it might pay to leave a little space at the top of your bag if possible. This way you can add in a couple of things at a later date, and if you can’t quite compact everything in for the return journey, you’ve got a little bit of space to play with.

If you pack some waterproofs towards the top of your bag, then leaving a bit of room at the top will ensure easy access in the event of a sudden downpour.

Packing a backpack
Put liquids in bags
If you’re taking any liquids with you, whether that’s suncream, drinks or anything else, make sure they are kept in sealed bags. This way, if they leak, they’re less likely to get everything in your bag soaking wet.

It’s also best not to store said liquids under heavy items that could cause them to burst or split – the same goes for storing any food that could get squashed or tear open in your bag.

An alternative to consider is a hydration bladder. These reservoirs are high on capacity – up to 2 litres – but low on space, allowing you to maximise the storage space in your rucksack.

Waterproof your bag
It’s always best to be prepared for any inclement weather, and while you will probably take precautions to waterproof yourself, don’t forget about your bag. You can buy external rain covers that just strap over the outside but the best bet is to buy a dry bag that slips inside your pack to keep everything dry.

However, if you do use an external rain cover then only use it when it’s raining. They can catch the wind, turning your bag into a makeshift kite, which is why we’d recommend using drybags instead.

Waterproofing your bag does not just mean the outside. You can have spillages and accidents inside your rucksack, so an inner waterproof liner can protect the kit from internal leaks and prevent rain from penetrating your pack and soaking everything inside.

Utilise the outside of your bag
You can also use the outside of your bag to carry a few items. Some rucksacks have straps in which you can carry camping rolls, tents or sleeping bags, and you can also use pockets and other straps to hold walking poles.

However, be careful with strapping too much to the outside of your bag, as not only could it make you unsteady on your feet, but the equipment could also get caught on fences, trees and the like.

Hydration and performance

Carbs- Fast and Slow Carbs, and how to make the most out of both

Training Optimisation