Mountain climber’s virtual charity challenge Charlie’s challenge
A MOUNTAINEER is virtually climbing his way up some of South Wales’ favourite mountains – all up his stairs.
Charlie Wardle, 45, was set to travel around the UK to climb 20 mountains in 20 days for a charity challenge.
The dad-of-one was due to visit 14 Welsh peaks including Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, as well as Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Helvellyn before the coronavirus travel ban struck.
But instead of giving up on the fundraising project, Charlie has brought the challenge indoors – and now spends all day “virtually” climbing the mountains.
Charlie said: “It took me some calculations to work out how many steps it would take and how many floors each mountain adds up to.
“I am now halfway through and from here on out it gets a bit easier – I’ve already done the big ones including Ben Nevis and the Snowdon Horseshoe.
“The only problem is I quickly realised that I was wearing out the carpet
The full list of the mountains on Charlie’s virtual peaks challenge: Day 1: Scafell Pike Day 2: Helvellyn Day 3: Blencathra Day 4: Ben Nevis Day 5: Ben Lomond Day 6: Snowdon Day 7: Snowdon Horseshoe Day 8: Tryfan Day 9: Y Garn Day 10: Glyder Fach Day 11: Carnedd Llewellyn Day 12: Pen yr Ole Wen Day 13: Pen yr Helgi Du Day 14: Moel Siabod Day 15: Moel Eilol Day 16: Cadair Idris Day 17: Pen Y Fan Day 18: Sugar Loaf Day 19: Fan Brycheiniog Day 20: Fan Y Big
on my stairs – we only moved in a year ago and already now the carpet is getting worn.
“I’m trying to make sure that each time I go up I try and place my foot in a slightly different spot.”
“I am trying to get the amount of floors in each day by going up the stairs and then using my one exercise slot a day to get a quick walk or a run outside to make up some of the steps.
“My favourite walk is probably the Snowdon Horseshoe because I like a scramble and a bit of danger – but it was very different replicating it up my stairs. It didn’t have the same thrill.”
Self-employed Charlie, of Nottingham, runs hiking trips around the UK guiding people on mountain and coastal walks and also runs a mental health and well-being charity called Climb Your Mountain.
But like many businesses Charlie has had to cancel all trips for the foreseeable future – but is trying to remain positive with his daily indoor walks.
“The challenge gives me something to focus on and hopefully will raise a bit of money for the charity. It also means I can get some exercise in.
“Hopefully people will realise that being indoors means you can still be healthy and active, you don’t have to sit on your sofa stuffing your face with junk all day.
“Maybe when this is over people will realise how important it is to get outside and will go on some of these walks for real.
He said: “My favourite walk is probably the Snowdon Horseshoe because
I like a scramble and a bit of danger – but it was very different replicating it up my stairs. It didn’t have the same thrill.”
His gruelling challenge comes after hikers came under fire for flocking to mountains including Pen y Fan two weekends ago, flouting what were, at the time, guidelines to ensure social distancing.
Just days after the criticism, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the strict new lockdown rules, with police subsequently setting up roadblocks to prevent walkers from driving to the Brecon Beacons.