An eight-year-old boy has completed the Welsh 3,000s challenge in Eryri, climbing all 15 peaks over 3,000ft (914m) in one day. Benjamin Jones finished the arduous route in 15 hours and 58 minutes, raising money for Ogwen Valley mountain rescue.
A Challenge That Defeats Many Adults
The challenge involves tackling the tallest mountains in north Wales in under 24 hours, with more than 3,000m of ascent across a route of more than 40km. Benjamin, a pupil at Rhiwlas school, started at 5.30am from Pen Y Pass and finished at 10.53pm on Foel-ras.
His mum, Toni Howden, said: "Waving Benji off into the mist and wind at 5:30am was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a mum, but he has made me the proudest mum in the world! What an incredible day!"
Support from Mountain Leaders
Benjamin was supported by mountain leaders with Llanberis Mountain Rescue, who accompanied him to the top of Garnedd Ugain and Wales' tallest peak Yr Wyddfa (1,085m). The weather was windy, wet, and around 2C taking wind chill into account. One of the first sections was the dangerous Crib Goch, an exposed ridge scramble, which he reached at 6.56am.
Toni, of Llanberis, said: "The first day I took him out I knew he was going to be a mountain boy. I've been an outdoor pursuits instructor since I was 18 years old so he has always been out and about rock climbing, canyoning and running about in the mountains."
Fundraising and Future Challenges
So far, Benjamin has raised more than £1,400 for the rescue team. Toni thanked everyone who helped, saying: "The biggest thank you to our amazing mountain team and hype team who kept Benji going throughout the whole day! He couldn’t have done it without you all. What a team!"
Benjamin, who also loves running, climbing, biking, and skiing, now wants to take on Mont Blanc and The Paddy Buckley Round, a 61-mile fell running challenge in Eryri with 47 summits and around 8,500m of elevation gain.
