tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027504924823552435.post5096509653420467631..comments2024-03-19T13:26:50.813+00:00Comments on testedtodestruction: Als Paddy Buckleyzephrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119723564120514848noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027504924823552435.post-18849596148347671932015-07-27T19:51:49.936+01:002015-07-27T19:51:49.936+01:00Great write up - well done all !Great write up - well done all !Alan Billingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17181604124587162942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027504924823552435.post-12058352569197759452015-07-27T16:10:58.621+01:002015-07-27T16:10:58.621+01:00Well done to all - and a great write up as well.Well done to all - and a great write up as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027504924823552435.post-31456706827266769552015-07-27T15:27:54.812+01:002015-07-27T15:27:54.812+01:00Thanks for that Zoe. Thanks for that Zoe. zephrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11119723564120514848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027504924823552435.post-32857802040826495112015-07-27T14:37:28.951+01:002015-07-27T14:37:28.951+01:00Well done Tim supporting Al through the night, not...Well done Tim supporting Al through the night, not an easy job to do alone , and the hardest leg got over with too!<br />I picked up on Al's great journey at 0835 on Sunday morning, along with Robin and Cofa the Border Collie. The rain was falling, we climbed up through the woods towards Moel Hebog. Al was fatigued, and unhappy with the time Leg 3 had taken him, I tried to divert his mind by chattering away about the wildlife, the events of the previous night, encouraging him on 'keep on plodding' . <br />We reached the Nantlle ridge via a pretty Alpine-looking pass, a break in the rain and Al clearly suffering. However he was eating well, which was a good plan, and drinking plenty of water, and took a couple of painkillers. Progress was not fast, but steady, and we ticked off the tops with minimal fuss. Until Y Garn, where a down-scramble across mossy, slippery rocks and boulders slowed us right down. Robin and I knew that we were coming back up towards Al's desired schedule so we took it steady and no-one slipped too drastically. Sweeping descent and through the forest to the next road crossing, which I managed to overshoot. D'oh! back in time for a brew and leg 5.<br />The longest climb up to Snowdon, via ..er..CraigWen.., and Yr Aran. Rain constant, all but Robin the hard man in full waterproofs. Al really plodding and huffing on the climbs, and suffering a bit on the descents, but still moving, still going. Wind whipped us across the south ridge of Snowdon. Very cold, and we began to see a few humans, the first we'd met all day.<br />"now there's a sight I've been waiting for" and off he sprinted past the summit cafe. Touched the top of Snowdon and I grabbed him in a hug on the steps. It was as if he'd awoken from a dream. It's on!!! <br />We chased him from there on, hurriedly shedding layers and gulping gels and drinks, to catch up with him on his mission to make the 24 hours. Moel Cynghorion and the other green giants rushed by, breathlessly I ran, legs failing. I saw him stop to talk to Robin ahead of me at Moel Eilio. "I just told him to reach the top and not look back". Look back, he did not.<br />Alasdair did this all himself and we were only there to witness and verify his great achievement. It even took two times of asking to get to carry his water for him. What a man. Zoe Bartonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04186200285686004735noreply@blogger.com