Fan dance black edition - 3rd July 2021
Another weekend and back to the Brecon Beacons for another Fan Dance, this time twice in one day in an event called the Black Edition, hosted by AEE. The first of the day was a 7am start, standard 14mile out and back route, summiting Pen Y Fan twice, carrying 25lbs plus food and water. I had the great pleasure to meet author and SAS legend Lofty Wiseman, thoroughly nice chap and he had great memories of his time in Malvern.
The second of the day was a 9pm start. Same weight but a slightly different course. We were told there were very aggressive cut off times and anyone not summiting the Fan in time would be
heading straight back down. There followed a mad dash to the top, with two SAS chaps yelling and screaming at us all the way up.
This was a circular route and after a steep climb to the ridge of Graig Fan Ddu we were met by low
cloud which reduced visibility to less than two meters in places. On a particularly tricky stretch of path I came across another competitor who had become disorientated and lost his way! Luckily
he saw my head torch and I was able to lead him off the mountain as he was a bit panicky. On a race like this everyone looks after each other and makes sure we all finish safely.
This is a very well run and organised event with a rich history in special forces selection. Completing the route at night adds a whole new dimension which I highly recommend.
Clive
The second of the day was a 9pm start. Same weight but a slightly different course. We were told there were very aggressive cut off times and anyone not summiting the Fan in time would be
heading straight back down. There followed a mad dash to the top, with two SAS chaps yelling and screaming at us all the way up.
This was a circular route and after a steep climb to the ridge of Graig Fan Ddu we were met by low
cloud which reduced visibility to less than two meters in places. On a particularly tricky stretch of path I came across another competitor who had become disorientated and lost his way! Luckily
he saw my head torch and I was able to lead him off the mountain as he was a bit panicky. On a race like this everyone looks after each other and makes sure we all finish safely.
This is a very well run and organised event with a rich history in special forces selection. Completing the route at night adds a whole new dimension which I highly recommend.
Clive