Recce of the Technical Section of Day 1 Dragon’s Back Race

Date: Sunday 23rd April 2023

Strava says: 19.53 miles

Elevation: 8,274 ft /  2,522 m

Weather: fog, hail, sun

Start: Car park at base of Tryfan

Route type: recce, circular 

Conditions: mostly dry

Website link: Montane Dragon’s Back / Ras Cefn Y Ddraig – The World’s Toughest Mountain Race

Describe the route in three words: grade 1 scramble

Since the moment I found out about Dragon’s Back Race I’ve been drawn to it. I first watched the videos and was blown away by the skills, stamina and endurance of those who took part, and completely inspired by Nicky Spinks. I’ve avidly followed ithe event throughout the years and always looked in awe at those who took part feeling that it would never be something that I could be capable of. Something that certainly would be forever out of my reach.

When my friend Kev entered the 2021 edition I felt that this could be my chance to experience a little part of it. I asked him if I could join him on some of the recces and training runs. COVID hit and we were limited on travel so the first training sessions I joined in on were back-to-back ultras in our local area. When rules relaxed and we were finally allowed to travel I was so excited to go with him to recce day two over two days. This would be my first experience in the Welsh mountains and would set me on a new path in my running career.

At the time I enjoyed it immensely but repeatedly thought out loud that to attempt the real thing would be an impossible feat, I was just happy to be a baby dragon and enjoy my own mini experience from the sidelines. However things change. Over the forthcoming years my mountain craft has greatly improved and I’ve found Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) to be my second home. With the introduction of the Hatchling course this year I felt that it was now or never, especially as all the training and races I have completed / plan to do throughout 2023 should put me at my most mountain fit to date come September. There is an issue though. That issue is Crib Goch. The rock of legends. Hatchling does mean that would-be Dragon Slayers can stop at Pen y Pass if they wish and now that I have done a recce of the technical parts of Day 1, this is exactly what I intend to do.

I hired a professional mountain guide and took a mindset coaching session a couple of days before. Brett drove me to our start point at the base of Tryfan and we commenced our adventure. I have never scrambled before. I did a bit of rock climbing in secondary school on an outdoor pursuits week. I didn’t enjoy it. The initial climb up was really fun and very easy, we didn’t follow the DBR route here as Brett wanted to do more of an out and back with me to get my first scramble. The way up was fine. We passed a waterfall and a lake, it was stunning scenery, very other worldly. As the climb became more of a scramble, I can’t say that I enjoyed it, I just did it. As we neared the summit there were a group of hikers and they laughed at us because we were wearing our running trainers. There is a picture of me at Adam and Eve. I think that is a smile for the camera, not a heartfelt smile, plus I am sat down as I didn’t feel like standing, I wanted to remain grounded.

The way down was more difficult. There was a rock that had a sheer drop to one side. I bum shuffled across as this gave me a sense of security. We reached a section that I did not feel confident with scrambling down. This was an interesting learning experience as it meant we searched around for a better route. It taught me that I don’t have to stick to the route, I can look for alternatives!

The route from Tryfan to Crib Goch passes over Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr plus some technical terrain, it was challenging but I enjoyed it. There was quite a steep climb up loose slate shingle stuff, I had to call back to Brett to warn him of a rock that dislodged and tumbled towards him.

We could see Pen y Pass in the distance and I got a closer look at Crib Goch. It wasn’t how I imagined. Some angles it does not look bad at all and others it looks as bad as I imagined. I used the toilet at Pen y Pass and I thought to myself, the next time I use the bathroom here, I will have conquered Crib Goch! Something to look forward to I guess?!

I’d just bought myself a more suitable warm layer for the mountains, the Montane Fireball Lite hooded insulated jacket which is on the DBR kit list. I was acutely aware from my last wintry experience in Bannau Brycheiniog that I did not have a suitable warm layer and I had improvised by taking a jacket which is not really practical for running with. We peeled of Pyg Track and paused to don our extra layers. My new jacket was going to have an impressive first outing!

We commenced the climb, I lead the way at first and I felt confident. It started to hail and the wind picked up but no bother. So far so good, not as bad as I thought it was going to be but still not enjoyable. I was just working through the motions. We got quite near the knife edge start, maybe just another 100 meters or so, probably less. The easy scramble suddenly changed though. Next thing I knew, my knee was by my ear and one hand was high above my head. I paused. This is the point of no return. If I make this next move there is absolutely no back tracking. I can only move forwards. I stayed in that position a few moments then put my feet back next to each other. I stood there and had a very good think indeed. I had a decision to make. Do I continue or do I do something that I had not even considered, which was to turn back? I asked myself a series of questions.

• “Will I regret this if I don’t do it?” – No
• “Is this fun?” – No
• “Is this running, the thing that I love so much?” – No
• “Is it worth it?” (The risk) – No
• “Do I actually want to do this?” – No
• “Are you sure?” – Yes
• “But are you really, really sure?” – Yes. I really, really am.

I called to Brett. I’m not going to do it, I’m sorry.

Brett had ropes with him just in case. We had a long discussion but I was absolutely firm in my mind. He told me that he had been pleased with how I was on Tryfan which is why he was happy to lead me across Crib Goch. He wouldn’t do it if he didn’t think I was capable. Brett was pleased though that I had admitted to him that I had changed my mind as it’s one thing taking someone over who is capable but nervous but another taking someone over who is capable but just not ready. Brett reminded me that I am still very new to mountain running and that I have come a long way in a short space of time. This is just too much too soon and he feels that in future I can do it. I laughed. I wanted to believe him.

As soon as we started climbing down I could not disguise my smile. I was happy and proud of myself.  I had given it a go and I had acknowledged when it was time to stop. I also felt relieved. We passed a couple and their teenage son on their way up. They looked so casual and calm.

Pyg Track was busy and fun. It certainly is a long climb! There was a  group of 15 or so young adults in animal fancy dress and Mario Bros costumes. There were older people, young couples looking like they were on a date, couples and friends who looked like seasoned hikers. Someone in crocs. Someone with a handbag. Certainly a real mixed bag of people climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). 

As we neared the top there were a series of very loud alarms. It was the test alert from the government. My phone did not go off but everyone else’s seemed to. This meant it was 3pm. We’d not covered many miles but we’d been out a long time.

A mountain rescue helicopter was above and I thought back to the family of three heading up Crib Goch. Who was it for and are they going to be ok? I felt a Sliding Doors moment, would it have been dispatched for me if I had done Crib Goch? It was sobering seeing it.

We came to the Yr Wyddfa ridge and I was really surprised to see the train track. I did know about it but I had forgotten it was there. It looked so out of place! We saw two ladies in climbing gear with a dog, we asked them which way they had come up. They had done Crib Goch but needed all the gear to get the dog safely across, that then got Brett thinking out loud, would his super pup Bryn be up for a Crib Goch crossing? The Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) trig was so incredibly windy, it was foggy too! My first time climbing Yr Wyddfa and it certainly will stick in my mind.

We back tracked along Pyg Track, the fog lifted so we could see the views. We then took the Miners Path, this would take us most of the way back to the car. We stopped at Pen y Pass gain to use the toilets, I chuckled, I had thought that the next time I used these facilities I would be a Crib Goch hero! Not today.

Continuing our way back to the car there was a climb where we both got our poles out, we hadn’t used them until now but certainly needed them for this! I took photos of Brett filling his water bladders from a stream, they’d be good action shots for his website.

We were closing in on Tryfan and it certainly looked really impressive.

We finally arrived back at the car. I felt happy, awash with relief and also pretty tired. How I’m going to get through just one day on the Dragon’s Back I have no clue. Eryri (Snowdonia) is is a different beast to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). In fact, that evening, the soles of my feet hurt as I am not used to travelling over so many rocks!

What’s in the snack pack?

Food (bars, sandwich, Hula Hoops)

2x 500ml bladders water

Additional bladder with 1 litre water

Gloves

Hat

Inov 8 Trailshell waterproof jacket

Montane Fireball Lite hooded insulated jacket

Long sleeved spare layer

Vasaline

Spare hair band

Safety pins

Compeed, plasters, surgical tape, spare socks

Harrier Helvellyn Carbon Z-Poles and quiver

Petzl e+lite head torch

Whistle

Life Systems survival bag

OMM Halo waterproof trousers

Salomon Bonatti waterproof over mittens

Compass

Dragon’s Back 2021 route map (thanks Kev!)

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12 ST, Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire, buff, Sweaty Betty power leggings, Stance socks, Montane long sleeved top, Dirty Girl gaiters, Salomon Adv Skin 12 running vest.

Summary

This really was an adventure and my first time doing a grade 1 scramble, it was so much fun but my heart does still firmly remain in Bannau Brycheiniog.

Lessons learned

This was a great opportunity for me to push myself out of my comfort zone and to also realise where my limits are. Perhaps I will do Crib Goch one day in the future but at time of writing I have no desire to do so.

Results

Elapsed time: 9 hr 34 m 37 s

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/8944715319