Route Plan – https://out.ac/IPh4uV
Saturday 20th of April myself and Mike May completed the ‘Endurance‘ route of the ‘Black Dragon Challenge 2024‘, and I start with quite a proud sounding sentence, because once we had finished it, we knew it was an achievement to be proud of, because to put it simply, it’s a very tough endurance challenge.
My time was 10 hours and 40 mins, that was 65000 steps, and I came in at position 34 and Mike who has a really strong finish came in at position 30, which is awesome.
It was our first attempt at it, so we had no idea of how it was going to go, and the furthest before that was the 21 mile ‘South Wales Three Peaks Trial‘, which is also a long hike, and it is also a very tough challenge, but that 9 or so miles is a lot to add on at the end, especially when you really start to feel your legs cramping up, your running out of water, you are possibly on your own, and the worst bit is that you can’t see the end, all you can see is more mountains, and so more down’s and up’s.
When you do the Abergavenny 3 Peaks, you can see your route pretty much from any of the peaks, you know where you are and what you have left to do, and as it’s condensed you tend to see a lot more people, so doing the Black Dragon is a different experience, and you need to be prepared both physically and mentally, and also make sure you have plenty of water and high energy foods.
Also dont forget your suncream, it was a super hot day, and there is hardly any shade or cover, and check the weather because if the weathers not looking good, with it being a lot of ridge walking, you will get battered.
The next day my legs where very sore, but I felt pretty good in myself, having had a bath with Epsom Salts and rubbed Magnesium Balm into my legs, and it seemed to work. I’m not sure if I’ll do the Black Dragon Challenge again to be honest, but let’s see what’s going on next year, but if you are looking for a challenge, then this should be on your list.
This was my route and the peaks:
- Start at Llangorse community centre
- Mynydd Troed – 609m
- Y Grib – 640m
- Waun Fach – 811m
- Pen Twyn Mawr – 658m
- Pen Gwyllt Meirch – 580m
- Crug Mawr – 550m
- Blaen y Henbant – 498m
- Pen Cerrig-calch – 711m
- Pen Gloch-y-pibwr – 675m
- Cefn Moel – 430m
- Ffynnon Oer – 506m
- Mynydd Llangorse – 515m
- Llangorse Finish
Bannau Brycheiniog Routes – www.welshmanwalking.co.uk/Tube Trekking London
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