Record-Breaking Mountain Challenge Completed
A man has completed his challenge of climbing south Wales' highest peak, Pen y Fan, for the 742nd time within one year, marking the conclusion of his record-breaking endeavor.
Chris Daniel has been ascending and descending the 886m (2,906ft) peak on average twice daily throughout the year.
Challenge in Memory of Late Wife
Known on social media as Pen y Fan Dan, Daniel began this challenge in April to honor the memory of his wife Rita, who passed away from bowel cancer.
"I would like to think the mountain will be crying today because we're splitting up," Daniel said before embarking on his final climb.
Initial Goal and Progress
Daniel, from Merthyr Tydfil, started his first climb on 5 April with the aim of surpassing the previous record of 365 climbs in a calendar year, set by Des Lally in 2019.
He exceeded this goal rapidly, completing 366 climbs in just 171 days, and subsequently set a new target of 730 climbs within the year.
Support and Difficult Conditions
Throughout his journey, Daniel encountered thousands of people on the mountain who offered encouragement and support.
However, adverse weather conditions posed significant challenges, particularly during the winter months, which he described as "really, really tough."
"There were months of insane rain, hail, and when it hits you up there you have to wear ski goggles. The weather forecast on the mountain is very, very irregular so you can go up there thinking it's going be okay," he told Radio Wales Breakfast.
Daniel stated he does not plan to climb the mountain again "unless it's sunny" in the future.
Remembering Rita and Her Legacy
Chris' wife, Rita, was diagnosed with a rare form of bowel cancer in 2012 at age 48 and died in 2016.
"She spent so much of the last few years of her life campaigning to stop other people going through this terrible disease. I'm just trying to keep her, and so many other people I've met who are doing similar, their amazing legacy alive," Daniel said.
In tribute to Rita, he walks the same route from the Pont Ar Daf car park to the peak at 886m.
Daniel described the mountain as a place he "loves" because it has allowed him and others to unite with the shared goal of reaching the summit.
Raising Awareness and Inspiring Others
Daniel hopes his challenges will motivate others.
"I've gone out and told people what I was scared of to try and encourage people to do the free bowel screening test, which is available from the age of 50 onwards in Wales. Even now, a third of people aren't doing that and it's an absolute life-saver," he said.
Overcoming Fears Before the Challenge
Before undertaking the Pen y Fan challenge, Daniel confronted his fears by holding Nicaraguan tarantulas and participating in aerobatic flights involving loop the loops to overcome arachnophobia and acrophobia.
"The very last thing I was doing was climbing Pen y Fan 50 times and I absolutely hated it, because I'm a cyclist. On the 25th climb, Des joined me and told me his story. On the way down I thought 'Wow, I want to have a crack at this'. I trained for nine months and 741 climbs later here I am."
Emotional Final Climb
Des Lally, the previous record holder, has spoken about feeling emotional before his final climb, and Daniel anticipates a similar experience.
"I was up here [Pen y Fan] yesterday and there were so many people on the mountain from all over the UK. That got me going and I've always told my amazing followers, who have been there for me all the way, that we're all climbing this. I've already been in floods of tears. There'll be more water coming out of me today than the mountain."
