Hey, Reader

A couple of weeks back, I completed an event known as the Fan Dance, set in the Brecon Beacons National Park—or Bannau Brycheiniog, as it was renamed last year.

This challenge is inspired by the legendary Fan Dance, a gruelling test all UK Special Forces candidates must endure. While the race mirrors the Special Forces' route, it kindly spares civilians from the full military experience. Participants have the option to select their weight category, leave the weapon at home, wear comfy hill walking kit, and enjoy the encouragement of the Directing Staff (DS).

My journey to the start line began last summer when I booked my spot. The event slipped my mind until a pre-Christmas reminder jolted my memory: I had signed up for the winter edition.

The Fan Dance offers both summer and winter events, each with its unique challenges.

Thanks to my Army duties and work as a freelance Mountain Leader, I maintain a solid level of fitness. I chose the weight-bearing category, which involved lugging a 35lb pack, an additional 3 litres of water, and my day's snacks—tallying up to roughly 20kg. An alternative, the clean fatigue option, would have meant a lighter load and potentially quicker pace, but I was up for the full challenge.

Living in Kent, I set off on my journey at 0200 after waking up at 0130, aiming to reach the registration by 0730. Reluctant to spend money on a hotel for just a few hours of sleep, I decided against it. This choice also led to a tough drive back home after the event. Caffeine was my friend!

The journey was smooth, and upon arrival, I collected my welcome pack—complete with a map, race number, and a pack marker indicating my chosen category.

At around 0900 after completing registration, a safety briefing, and the essential kit weigh-in, we lined up at the start, the Storey Arms car park.

The route headed up and over Corn Du, then onto Pen y Fan for the first checkpoint. From here the route descends to the Torpantau Station for a quick refuel. Now for the return journey back up to Pen y Fan and then finishing at the Pont ar Daf car park. They say it’s 24km, however, my GPS clocked it in at 22km.

Navigating the course was straightforward. There are a lot of people to follow unless you’re the front-runner! There are also a few checkpoints that keep you on track.

I relied on my Garmin watch, having preloaded the GPX route, allowing me to focus solely on the physical exertion and contend with the day's brutal weather. It was windy, cold, and icy and these conditions had already led to the cancellation of the following day's event.

Thankfully, it remained dry.

The event was a great experience. The military ethos, reflected in the organisation and the DS's backgrounds added a layer of authenticity and camaraderie. This was great to see, given my own background in the military.

The regular updates and advice on preparation were given in good time, ensuring everyone was well-prepared for the event.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Despite the physical effort required, the sense of accomplishment tops it all. Besides, I just love being in the hills.

For those interested in this event, check out the company's page here to read more about it. Should you have any questions, I'm more than happy to share additional insights with you.

Thanks for reading.

Aaron

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