On Sunday 15^th May a number of Sixth Form girls, staff and trusty canine companions Griff and Marple met early in the morning at the Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons for the final training event for the HMSG 3 Peaks Challenge.

In order to balance training with time away from exam revision the decision was taken to do a short (4 hour) intense walk including the highest peaks in South Wales. Launching straight into a steady climb the party followed the route to Corn Ddu, Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn which is used as one of the SAS and Infantry training and selection routes known in military circles as “the Fan Dance”.

Conditions were dry, cool and windy but braver members of the group (Mr Meek) stuck by their choice of shorts which seemed such a good idea back in sunny Monmouth. The climbs came thick and fast but the girls applied the lessons learnt in Abergavenny about pace, clothing, feeding on the move and fluid intake. One of the party had to be carried up Cribyn in a day sack, but as Marple was a 14 week Labrador puppy exceptions were made!

After a brief lunch break Sarah was raring to go and dragged Mr Penny and Mr Meek up Fan-y-Big for extra training before catching up with the main party on the Jacob’s Ladder climb back up Pen-y-Fan. With only two weeks to go until the HMSG 3 Peaks Challenge, training and fundraising are in full swing and we feel well prepared for the adventure ahead.  Please contact Mr Penny if you wish to make a donation to the charities.