3 Peaks Challenge – Her y Tri Copa

By Dafydd Gwynne   

on March 6, 2020   No ratings yet.

Posted in 3 Peak User Experiences, National 3 Peaks Planning

3 Peaks Challenge – Her y Tri Copa

Completely unexpectedly in February last year, my wife Kay was given the news that she had breast cancer. Aged 34 with no family history or other risk factors, it was a huge shock to us, our families, and our friends. From that point onward, Kay received the best possible treatment from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales. She has since made an excellent recovery.

Being by Kay’s side during the treatment reminded me how fortunate we are to have the NHS there when we need it, and we wanted to show our appreciation for the care she received by raising money for the Health Board’s ‘Awyr Las’ Charitable fund (half to the local Cancer Unit – Alaw Ward in Ysbyty Gwynedd, and half to ongoing cancer research).

 

Kay wearing the cold cap during chemotherapy.

When I suggested the idea of doing the 3 Peaks Challenge to my friends, their response was fantastic! It was something that most of us had always wanted to do, and what better opportunity than this. Therefore, the date is set for the 12th-13th June for myself, Aled, Alun, Alwyn, Arfon, Dyfed, Gethin, Gwyn, Karon to complete it within 24 hours.

As a group of friends who’ve been born and raised so close to Snowdonia, we’ve all had some level of mountain walking experience. Fortunately, we have enough knowledge between us to know where to start, which routes to train on, and what kit is essential… but we know we’ve got some training to do! We’ve scheduled group walks every fortnight to start with (we’ve had two to date), building up to more frequent walks closer to the challenge. We’re also encouraging each other to supplement these with smaller group or individual mid-week outings, which will hopefully be achievable as the evenings get lighter. We’re crossing our fingers that March will bring fairer weather…

 Walk 1 –  Cwm Idwal – Llyn Bochlwyd

A 2.5 hour starter in the winds following Storm Dennis.

Easy start to Cwm Idwal
Looking down at Llyn Idwal

Walk 2 – Llanberis – Moel Eilio – Foel Goch – Llanberis

Bit more challenging, good test of fitness. Nice crosswinds from Eilio to Foel Goch!

Stunning views from Eilio towards Rhyd Ddu
Moel Eilio summit

Cancer Units such as Alaw Ward rely heavily on charitable funds, and I’ve been surprised that things such as specialist medical equipment, research, and even wigs and refreshment facilities for cancer patients and their families are not available through core NHS funding. Unfortunately, we all know someone who’s been directly affected by cancer. However, through fundraising activities we really can make a difference to the lives of people who’ve been diagnosed. We’d be very grateful for anything you can donate to our JustGiving page. 

A big thanks to Dave for giving me the opportunity to share this story, and for his words of wisdom in guiding us through our preparation. If you haven’t read his 3 Peaks Guide, this is the link.

I’ll post another blog in a few weeks’ time with an update. In the meantime, any further tips in helping us with our preparation, or the challenge itself, would be much appreciated!

 

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Dafydd Gwynne

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