This weekend I climbed Pen-y-Fan, a mountain in South Wales, with two friends, Lisa and Kirsty, who I’d previously climbed Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike, Snowden and three Yorkshire Peaks with.

On Friday morning I set off on my mini adventure to Brecon where I would be staying for the next couple of days. I called it an adventure as I was travelling from Neath railway station (I’m a well seasoned rail traveller) to Brecon by bus. I rarely step on a bus. And I only had a few minutes to get from the train to the bus stop. But with the support of google maps I made it. A fairly small triumph but a triumph all the same. The bus is a great way to see the countryside. And at £6.10 for a hour and 20 minute journey a very economic way to travel. Amazingly it was even cheaper on my return. No bus fares at the weekend in Wales.

My focus on economy continued through the weekend. I had booked a hotel in Brecon for £75 for two nights with breakfast. All very basic and with a shared bathroom. But it was clean and friendly. And, importantly, quiet. So I got a good nights sleep before and after the climb.
My friend, Lisa, however, had booked a beautiful cottage for the weekend. She was embarking on a maiden climb with her puppy so needed a bit more space. Kirsty and I were a tiny bit envious.

On Friday night the three of us met up to plan our route, have dinner and put the world to rights. Everything from Iraq to internet dating. Not that I know much about the latter although I do have my share of friend requests and messages from dodgy men dressed as soldiers.

So after a good nights sleep and a rather anaemic looking breakfast we were off.

Pen-y-Fan is the highest peak in South Wales and at 886 metres is the 4th highest mountain I have ever climbed. Higher than the Yorkshire Peaks I climbed in April. Although this time it was only one mountain and not 24 miles of walking. We parked up in Storey Arms and in next to no time we on our ascent. No meandering through a couple of fields first. It was full on from the off.

I’m always reminded when I start a climb that you are only as fit as what you train for. It is impossible to train for mountain climbing in Essex. Any endurance training is on the flat with the occasional undulation. Although I knew I would get to the top I’m slow and need to catch my breath every few minutes for a few seconds. It gets a little frustrating when older people just stroll by. But I have to remind myself that they may be walking these paths every weekend.

It took us about two hours to reach the top. We had to do a little detour as our puppy companion, Archie, the Cocker Spaniel, made scrambling over rocks a little too challenging for Lisa. His enthusiasm to get up and close to the sheep could have resulted in an unscheduled mountain rescue. But we got there. And in very British fashion we queued up for the photo opportunity.

The views from the top of the mountain were spectacular. This photo doesn’t give it justice. Climbing a mountain is life affirming. It is no wonder so many people do it. And hundreds, if not thousands must have climbed Pen-y-Fan over this Bank Holiday weekend. It was very busy on the way down and the food and drink vans at the bottom were doing a good business.

We, however, decided to take the advice of TripAdvisor to enjoy a fabulous lunch with a spectacular view. At last a little bit of luxury.

A great end to another mountain. We are now planning the next.