Hi all, we are fundraising for a charity that means a lot to us - SPACE Hertfordshire - an award winning charity supporting families of children and young people who are neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Tourette’s and other neurodiverse conditions.) To do this we are taking on the UK's ultimate mental and physical endurance test by travelling to Wales on 17th May 2024 to take on the world famous Fan Dance route used by the British SAS in the first phase of their selection process the next day (Saturday 18th May)
The Fan Dance is a gruelling weighted 24kms march carrying a bergen with 16kg inside before essential kit is added to it that battles the elements throughout it's duration. Starting at the iconic old red phone box the route goes vertical from the off, with a demanding climb around Corn Du up to the 886m summit of Pen Y Fan. After descending the south facing slope, the route passes through the aptly named Windy Gap junction onto the Roman Road, a rough dirt and stone track that ends at the edge of Taf Fechan forest. A narrow water crossing at the foot of a gully guards the way onto the narrow forest path, which leads to Torpentau, the highest point and last stop on Brecon Mountain Railway line. Once this point is reached we turn around and retrace our steps with the long and punishing return leg back up the Roman Road before the battle for the Jacob’s Ladder, a brutally steep and unrelenting path back up to the summit of Pen Y Fan which is by far the hardest and most dramatic part of the march. After reaching the summit for a second time the trail leads us back down to the start point.
The target time for us to complete this is in under 5 hours so boot camp has started and we are now in training for the next 17 weeks to prepare for the challenge. We would love to reach our target of £1000 so all donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading and wish us luck! Who dares wins. Mikki + Connor
