In the news

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team has announced that their Ambassador, TV Presenter, Kate Humble, will be taking part in the endurance route in their iconic Black Dragon Challenge Walk next month.

The popular annual event takes place on Saturday April 22 and 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.

Kate, who lives in the Wye Valley, regularly goes walking in the Brecon Beacons, and is looking forward to taking part. “Iam delighted to support Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and take part in this fantastic fundraising walk,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for people to challenge themselves, and enjoy the glorious environment of the Black Mountains, whilst also raising money for a wonderful and vital cause.”

In 2021 Kate fulfilled an ambition of walking the entire Beacons way, from West Wales back to Abergavenny. “As well as walking the well-known routes, I’m also lucky to have experienced some of the more remote parts of the Brecon Beacons and I love it,” she added.

The Black Dragon Challenge Walk starts and finishes in Crickhowell and offers a choice of three routes of varying difficulty. There is still time to register to take part, before the closing date on April 17^th.

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. Participants can also opt to be led by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team members on the Ridge Route.  

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.

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