In the news

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team have announced that entries for the iconic Black Dragon Challenge Walk on 22^nd April 2023 are now available/on sale.   For the first time, there is a new option for 2023 with a Ridge Route walk for less experienced walkers – led by members of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team themselves! 

The popular annual event is a one-day hill walking challenge, with a choice of routes of varying difficulty – to raise much needed funds for the Mountain Rescue team.  Last year,  more than 100 people took part, and this year, the team hope even more people will rise to the challenge.

2022 was the 40^th anniversary of the annual fundraiser (previously known as the Black Mountains Roundabout) for Brecon Mountain Rescue Team –  and is run in conjunction with Newport Outdoor Group.

The Challenge Walk starts and finishes in Crickhowell – and offers 3 different route choices.  The most challenging (the “Endurance”) follows a 30-mile route reaching the highest points of the Black Mountains.  The “Standard” route is 26 miles following a similar route – but excluding a descent to Grwyne Fawr.  The Ridge Route is 19 miles, avoiding the summits of Myndd Troed and Myndd Llangorse.

Chair of the Walk committee, Nigel Dawson commented: “Our annual Black Dragon Challenge Walk is a fantastic event for anyone who loves the great outdoors, and wants to challenge themselves, whilst raising funds for a brilliant local cause.  We hope to see greater numbers of participants in 2023 as more people understand the health benefits of being active.  We are delighted that we are able to offer a guided walk with our own team members for the first time, and hopefully encourage new people to give it a go!”

The Black Dragon Challenge Walk is a vital part of the team’s annual fundraising activities.  Brecon Mountain Rescue Team is an emergency service staffed by 60 volunteers and funded entirely by donations. Mountain rescue services are free to those in need because the teams are staffed by volunteers. However, equipment, vehicles and maintaining a headquarters all cost money, and the team volunteers must raise sufficient funds to maintain the service. It costs approximately £55,000 each year to keep Brecon Mountain Rescue Team operational.

Early bird tickets for the Black Dragon Challenge Walk are available for participants who book prior to January 8^th.  For full details of the Challenge routes and entry prices, go to  www.blackdragonchallenge.com. (Well behaved dogs on leads may also participate!)

To find out more about how you can support Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, please visit www.breconmrt.co.uk To make a donation to the team, please visit www.justgiving.com/breconmrt/donate