This March/April will be my first attempt at trying the Three Peaks in the UK - Ben Nevis, Scafell, and Snowdon.
Last year I climbed my first Mountains, Glyder Fach (994 m) and Glyder Fawr (1001 m) in Wales, both on the same day.
Although Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr may not seem like an achievement for seasoned hikers, physically and mentally it was a challenging ordeal for me as this was my first major exertion after suffering a ruptured Achilles heel injury.
I will not lie, there was a point where I almost gave up, however, I knew mentally I had to persevere.
Snowdonia National Park, near the Glyders
On top of Glyder Fach, just before Sunset
Sleeping on a mountain Is something everyone should experience, especially when you are the only person on it!
Yes, it can be a little daunting, however, when you gaze out into the clear night sky with very little light pollution, and without so much as a sound to be heard, there is nothing quite so tranquil and beautiful for the soul.
Thinking back to that night, I can’t imagine many people on the whole planet who would have been on a mountain doing the same thing as I was at that exact moment, so moments like that are very special memories.
Sunset on Glyder Fach
I find camping enlightening, liberating, intense, exhilarating, and I love the feeling of solitude and escapism to remote locations that camping can only provide.
Exploring new areas and not knowing what you will find, can be very exciting, especially if you find a gem of a photographic location!
The one thing that beats all these is surprising the taste of every meal that I have cooked, after all the hiking I really work up an appetite and everything tastes so much better, potentially it’s eating out in the fresh air and being outside in the wild, I do not know, but it’s amazing.
I will post more of my adventures when they are on the way!
Most people that have suffered a serious physical injury will tell you that the majority of the battle, to full recovery, is not physical, it Is mental.
I had to complete this endeavour, it was my way to gain the trust of my Achilles heel and break that mental barrier, and I had to end the few years of not challenging myself due to fear that injury would re-occur. As a Photographer, and now a very enthusiastic hiker re-injury would most likely be disastrous for my well-being.
For my determination, I was rewarded with jaw-dropping views and a beautiful night on top of Glyder Fach.
Snowdonia National Park, facing away from the Glyder Fach and Fawr
The Three Peaks challenge is something I can’t wait for!
It will hopefully be the first of many photographic ventures this year, and I will share my adventures with images from the beautiful locations I visit.
My intention is to camp throughout the challenge and I am particularly looking forward to camping the Wild’s of Scotland’s beautiful Highlands. I experienced wild camping last year, in Dartmoor, and although I was on my own it was a fantastic experience. You start to learn and understand the strengths, weaknesses, and limits of your capabilities whilst camping and hiking for long periods of time.