10nTaff Training July 2021 - Paul Fears Photography

It has been a long time since I posted some photographs of my training for the 10nTaff challenge for Tŷ Hafan. The rescheduled, rescheduled event now takes place between the 30th June and 2nd July 2022. Apart from an enforced rest at the end of April into May, the training has continued and intensified in July with 74 miles walked in 26 hours, ascending 13,380 feet. This small selection of photographs just highlights the beauty of the Wales countryside, even though sometimes the weather is dull or even wet, and also the wonder of nature. Walking helps me clear my mind of the daily trails and tribulations. In July, I walked in rain and blistering sunshine, mostly on my own but occasionally with company. My walks included:

Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn in the evening with my daughter Meg – 7.3 miles climbing 2175 feet
Garth Hill from the train station in Taffs Well with Stuart and Chris, two fellow 10nTaff challengers – 5.5 miles climbing 1100 feet
An early morning wet Garth Hill climb with Meg – 6.8 miles climbing 866 feet
Garth Hill from Efail Isaf in the sunshine – 5.5 miles climbing 886 feet
A exceptionally warm 10 mile hike across the Horseshoe Ridge Walk in the Brecon Beacons, including Corn Ddu, Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn and Fan-y-Big – 10.3 miles climbing 2400 feet
Garth Hill through the Tyn-y-Coed woods near Creigiau – 5.9 miles climbing 982 feet
Craig-yr-Allt near Nantgarw and onto Caerphilly Mountain in the blistering sunshine – 5.9 miles climbing 816 feet
Back up Garth Hill, my local walking playground – 5.3 miles climbing 1094 feet
A gentle walk through the fields parallel to the Church Village bypass – 5.4 miles climbing 385 feet
Rudry Mountain for the 1st time since 2020 – 2.6 miles climbing 344 feet
Around and up the Garth Hill, starting in Efail Isaf around to Gwaelod-y-Garth, up to the top and then down through Tyn-y-Coed woods – 7.03 miles climbing 1053 feet
Up and down Garth Hill from Efail Isaf – 6.01 miles climbing 1180 feet