@@Chris345328 I might do January 25 as well. Just get used to running with a Bergen on. Gradually build the weight up over the weeks. Plenty of cardio and endurance work.
Having completed the ‘dance’ several times in the 1960’s, whilst in the green machine and not having time to admire the scenery, your video brings back many memories, not all pleasant. These were also pre motorway pathway. Thank you though, most enjoyable.
Nice video. I am fortunate to live close to the national park and have walked many routes including this one over the years. The link with SF selections means that alot if people treat this as an endurance test instead of a pleasant hike. Each to their own and if that floats your boat then good for you. But take your time,(just once if possible) enjoy the fantastic scenery never mind how long it takes to complete. Happy New year.
Some people go for the scenery, some people go for the challenge, there is only so much you can look at the same set of mountains, they wont change in our lifetime. I do 80% of my hike and climbs at night, empty mountain, cant see a thing, its about the challenge, already down at the bottom before the sun rises most the time. Plenty of time to go walking with family members or friends, then you have hours to stare at the scenery while you wait for them to catch up.
Great video, I did that route back in my Parachute Regiment days when I was young and very fit. It is cheeky and works your back and legs. Still got the trophy 🏆 great effort. Well done. 👏
Great video. I took part in the weighted fan dance just last weekend and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who likes a physical and psychological challenge
I done this in 1988 , with a bergen and rifle , depot para recruit, I still remember the snot and flem dripping off my face , keeping up and my thighs burning . Good memories though . Great video.
@@mincedumplings7450 funny you mention that mate and I'm not sure what your Bergen weight was, but at that stage back in the 80s you may have been carrying 9lbs more in weight than dudes on 'Selection'... the Bergen weight for that personal test day was 40lbs 👍👍
@@carldowd406 left after p company , young and stupid , girlfriend dear John letter , always regretted it , done Brize in 94 ,with 4 para .had to get it out of my system so I could move on .in 88 I was 544 platoon at depot .
Thanks for the information on the route (Start/halfway points) been looking at this for a while and hoping to give it ago this coming year. Enjoyed that cheers 👍
Brought back memories. Your not allowed a watch. So just have to give max effort all the way to end. Also time is down to DS on the day. Taking into account weather and overall fitness of candidates. Its a great test. Stood the test of time. Its beat many a man.
I flinch every time I hear Welsh being pronounced by an English-speaker. 😂😂😂 No big deal - thanks for having a go and thanks for respecting our lovely country *P.s. anybody who goes there, take your litter home please. Diolch 👍
Lovely weather for it! Half way point is at the metal barrier further down the track. I did it tlast weekend with 35ish lbs, it was very wet & very windy!
Great video. I did it about 10 years ago. When we got to the bottom of Pen y fan (down the devils stair case) The DS said there had been a change of plan and we were to ascent the ridge up to Big y Fan. We then went across the ridge and ascended to the turn around point. and returned the way you did. When initially told we were going up Big Fan, my heart sank (soul destroying) but like anything once you accepted it, and started making your way it was all good!
My partner and I, along with our Border Terriers had a glorious summer walk - I am emphasising walk! - up from the Storey Arms completing a different circuit! We went up Corn Dee (!!) before getting on top of Pen Y Fan. It was brilliant! The winds rocket up the side of the ascent and then, reaching the plateau it was completely windless! We took hours, by the way, nothing at all special here! Great little vid John, really enjoyed the atmosphere and your achievement! Without blogging to us, you would have posted a time worthy of trying again with a big pack and a big stick, just to see! I won’t be doing that of course, just loading suggestions I’d enjoy watching you complete! Well done Sir, I’ve also subscribed, looking forward to more popping up! Take care, stay safe, happy 23 to you and everyone!
Really enjoyed the video John. As an Englishman living in Wales would you mind me helping you out with some pronunciation please ? F in Welsh is pronounced as a V, a Y is pronounced a an A not eey or aay. So it is Pen A Van. A U is pronounced as an E so it is Corn dee. Fan y Big becomes Van A Beeg. Hope that does not sound too patronising. I have subscribed as well.
Cheers mate I appreciate that. Not living in Wales just visiting and no I don’t mind, everyday is a school day! Glad you liked the vid there’s more to come 🤘🏻
Great comment James. I'm a fluent Welsh speaker and have grown up in Wales. As you said, I don't mean to step on your toes. Well put and makes it a lot easier for non welsh speakers to understand👍. I'd just add that rather than pronouncing the "Y" as an "A", I'd say it's closer to the sound of "Err". So "Pen y Fan" would be pronounced "Pen err Van". Hope that helps!
@@PalfT1 Thanks for the response Tom. As I am the Englishman living in Wales I am not surprised my accent needs a bit of tuning. Going to walk over to the Gap next week due to watching this video. Thanks for the inspiration John.
@@jamespigdon9839 No problem James, it's great you're making an effort to learn the language, well done, keep up the great work! It's a tricky language to learn but stick with it. Enjoy your walk!
Was going to explain exactly the same thing….but I like ‘Big Fanny’ made me laugh out loud. Excellent video, just off for a run myself in the wild of The South Downs, not back home in Cymru. Diolch
Yay. Found a good British RUclipsrs. A bit bored of the American ones and nice to see areas and terrain you recognise. You have just want yourself a follower 👊😁
Good Vlog of the route there. Absolutely stunning morning for it…that turnaround and then going up Jacob’s Ladder is a right sickener for sure. I would have been amazed if you’d completed that without ending up on your arse at least once to be honest.
Very good impressive to see this pretty ominous trail run something for the bucket list for sure, I better do some research and some training. Thanks John !
the instructor wont run a 4h10 pace necessarily. they run quicker, which recruits assume is the slowest pace needed and essentially tests their determination. i believe it was billy who said, he nearly gave up as he was behind the instructor some way and though whats the point, but he actually finished in good time despite what he thought
Did the Fan dance when I was in the Army. 40 lbs on my back plus weapon. Completed it in 3:52mins passing the test. Was one of the hardest things I’ve done.
Nice video but trust me I did it numerous times in the military and after countless weeks and months of training it was a walk in the park if you dug in the weeks before 👍
Nice little vid. Great seeing fan fawr in the background at the start. The chaps in green carry 52lb I believe plus food and water. You start as a collective and normally come back in a gaggle. Not to forget the cheeky speed march after the last man gets in from the fan dance. Always pays to get in as early as you can from the dance so you can get a good rest and take on fluids and food. Easier said than done though I suppose. 👍🏼
i've been over the hills behind the red phonebox and that was tough just walking with a small backpack, let alone running with a full kit pack on your back
Nice to see it again. Last time I was up there my good friend & I were asked to do the safety for a charity Fan Dance arranged by 'Talking to minds'. We stayed at the top of the Pen-Y-Fan all bloody day in awful weather, after lunch the weather cleared and, for the first time ever for me, we were able to see to the horizon at all four compass points. Brilliant day. By the way, in welsh a single 'F' is pronounced as 'V'. So us Welsh should actually say Pen-Y-Van & Van-Y-Big.....
Great bit of film matey. I have done this route many times as a soldier. Not been back for a few years but may just put my ‘Scarpa’s’ and kit in the car and head up there soon. Love doing it in snow. Hopefully the brew stop is still in the car park too!
4 hours in clean fatigue... shocking!!! 🤣😉 Great effort mate, should have given me a shout as I'm only 25 minutes from there. I run/walk this 3 to 4 times a year with my mate's event company (First In Events) as sweeper - as well as running around the whole area doing my own shite - it never gets any easier! Nice vid 👌
Good going there John. You certainly did have great conditions - a lovely run. My father Terry (Jickells) and Lofty (Wiseman) used to run SAS selection up there. Story Arms has this almost mythical status in our family. All the best. Mark
Only just come across your channel. Great to finally see what the Fan Dance looks like. Sad to say men have died relatively recently on that run during SAS selection. As you said, imagine how much harder it must be with a heavy bergen and a machine gun and army fatigues and army boots, and after a week of beastings and four hours a night sleep and nowhere near enough food to fuel you -- and it's the end "march" of the easiest week! The next three weeks of "marching" (they sound like runs to me) build up to the Long Drag, which is 40 miles with a 25 kilo bergen.
@@maratonlegendelenemirei3352 LOL. So, given there's a 95% attrition rate, and most selection participants are in the paras and Royal Marines, you're saying those who fail aren't fit or prepared? You're aware that paras and Royal Marines have Olympic level athletic fitness and VO2 Max? Yours has to be the most ignorant comment I've ever read. HAHA. And you know nothing about the Tour either. They generally have a flat stage after a mountain stage.
@@ln5747 To be fair, I realise I'm probably wrong on the food. I haven't read any books on the SAS except the survival one I had as a kid when I wanted to join. My dad's mate was in the SAS. We always thought he was a Walter Mitty but then he turned up in a TV documentary.
Hi John, I enjoy all your vids and find them v relaxing. I love the lakes too but only wish i could get up there more often. Anyway, good work, best of luck 🙂
It’s Taly bont reservoir. Please be aware that, back in the days, early 70’s, the majority of SAS Selection, took place over the Black mountains. Horrendous, lol. More painful than the Beacons. Pen y Fan was but small part of selection. G Squadron did the fan every Friday, before breaking up and, going home for the weekend. And, was called a, “Mao tse tung”. Stay safe, guys. Well done.
Nice one! Great vlog. I did the same route but in considerably worse weather, so glad you had perfect conditions for yours. I’ll be following your channel as I need to train for my first Lakeland 100 in 2023. Keep up the good work! 👍
Cheers dude I appreciate that! I’ve been following your channel for a while congrats on the 1K subs, and good luck for the L100. I wasn’t lucky in the ballot for next year maybe I will be for 2024 🤘🏻
Many units do this challenge and have different standards. During SAS selection candidates carry various loads but near the endmof the first month you carry 55lbs in your bergen (food and water is not included in that weight) and a rifle that wieghs 9lbs. That toal weight of at least 65lbs is checked at various check points by the DS. As someone else stated you do this as a individual and are forbidden to follow or talk to other candidates. No one yells at you and no one gives you encouragement. It is an individual challenge.
The Fan Dance is 15 miles carrying 45lbs to be completed in under 4hrs 10mins. Candidates attempt it at the end of the first week of the first (endurance) phase of SAS selection. It's intended to weed out those who aren't physically fit enough early on. The end of the endurance phase culminates with 'the long drag', a 40 mile trek carrying a 55lb bergen, that must be completed in under 24 hours.
Awesome day for it. Done it many many times both in uniform and out. As a 52 year old I can still do it in about 4 hours 30 with a bergen. Need to lose some weight to do it any quicker. Great video cheers.
Falling down somewhere on this route is almost mandatory. So is swearing while climbing Jacob's Ladder with 10 miles already in your legs. You should come and do the race ( clean fatigue category meaning no weight carrying requirements ) Avalanche Endurance Events one is the best. 👍
It’s amazing how fit the human body can get, it feels like another world thinking back to doing that with kit on. Fond memories, but I don’t think I was too fond at the time. It’s all in the head. Knees are well knackered now at 46. Surgery again in 3 weeks, but hoping to get the Tea Round run done next year as part of recovery.
Great video but have to agree with James Pigdon on prounciation of Welsh peak names. Sadly my hill running days are past as my 73 year old knees have said, "Enough!" Still walking and biking so your videos are inspirational for these modes of transport. Keep up the good work.
Great Video. Unfortunately I am at that stage of life where I can manage a fast walk up and jog down Pen Y Fan with a rucksack......and then spend the next 4 days wobbling about and recovering. Its my local hill, so I do try to do it quite regular.
The fan dance is completed on the 2nd day of Selection. There are two courses, a winter course & summer course. There isn’t an official cut off time . The average time of the course becomes the cut off time with 16:35 those below it returned to unit. A typical summer course cut off time would be around 3 hrs 45 mins. Great video, really enjoyed it & brought back great (ish) memories. I need to get back there sometime soon. Cheers.
Next time - shows us the view down the N side of Pen-y-Fan - scary 😮 And close to the turning point, there is the entrance to a dis-used railway tunnel, fascinating to expore - but preferably not alone.
John, “Thanks”…. Many happy memories brought back there. I’m planning to complete that run at the back end of Jan 23, as I’ll be in the area in any case. Looking forward to following your adventures. I have an entry for the next Yorkshire Three Peaks (Apr 29th)… Any chance you could run it for me! 😂 Ned Needham
Cheers Ned glad you liked it. Funny you should mention the 3 peaks. It’s in my sights next year as a solo project. However, I hadn’t thought of the organised race.. I’ll check it out, thanks 🤘🏻
Good video mate. I did this route as part of Pathfinder selection then later on SF Selection. As you mention, very different carrying a weighted bergen plus weapon, also after tabbing all week. I run this with my events company now (First In Events), got it coming up on January the 28th if you fancy taking part? PS There aren't any females in the SAS...yet.
Cheers mate.,You’ve an interesting channel too, Alaska’s always been a place of interest. On the invite.. I appreciate you asking but I’ll respectfully pass 🤘🏻
Good effort on the pronunciation. Just a couple of pointers. In Welsh a single f is a v sound. So Pen Y Fan is pronounced "pen uh van" and Corn Du is just pronounced "Corn D" no "u" sound. Similarly Fan y Big is "Van uh Big"
Awesome! Pen Y Fan was my first ever fell race, I still remember the pain in my ribs and not being able to lift my arms up properly the next day! 🤣 Are you familiar with "The Roman Run" John? It's from Brecon to Merthyr over the beacons, if my memory serves me well, I think it used to be held first Saturday in September..............18/20ish miles, 1st class run. 😎👍
They do a race called the roman run every September from brecon to merthyr on the old roman road thats a right tough run about 16 and a half run done it a couple of times really is a tough race lots of ex and serving forces do it
Used to be that you never knew you were doing it, all you were ever given was the GR of your next RV. You also never ever went in groups, indeed you risked failure if you were seen within 100m of another guy!
He didnt do the same route that we did when I was in the army the assent was gradual then super steep which was a killer! 18 miles carrying 25lb webbing 9lb9oz SLR no sling and aprox 50lb bergan. They must of changed the route, that summer one fella died from heat exhaustion.
Hi John, not into most of these Fan Dance videos tbh with you but as a lakeland dude i m just wondering if you remember or have taken part in The Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon, Kletts Classic event? It involved a sole ridge climb around V Diff standard. Unique event..!
@@lakelandtrailrunner ah I didn't get to do those mate, 3 Kimms, 5 Highland crosses and 13 Triathlons, in fact i used the Kletts classic as a training weekend for another process, great event👍👍
Hi m8 my son did it in 3.20 last year on summer selection but failed selection on the 40 miler last event on hill phase rolled his ankle 20 mile in and couldn’t make up time so he got pulled off at next checkpoint, he’s in marines
3:20 is a good time. Bad luck on endurance injury gets a lot of lads, he should have the opportunity to have another crack at it, good luck to him when he does.
Done the load bearing event twice and loved it.
Summer 2015 and winter 2016. Came 6th both times. 3.28 / 3.30 at 40yrs of age wasn’t bad.
Good effort mate. 💪🏻
Great video @lakeandtrailruner @rob8493. Fairplay mate. That's a great time. Got any training tips! I'm doing my first one in January
@@Chris345328 I might do January 25 as well.
Just get used to running with a Bergen on. Gradually build the weight up over the weeks. Plenty of cardio and endurance work.
#humblebrag
Having completed the ‘dance’ several times in the 1960’s, whilst in the green machine and not having time to admire the scenery, your video brings back many memories, not all pleasant. These were also pre motorway pathway. Thank you though, most enjoyable.
Glad you enjoyed it mate. 🤘🏻
Nice video. I am fortunate to live close to the national park and have walked many routes including this one over the years. The link with SF selections means that alot if people treat this as an endurance test instead of a pleasant hike. Each to their own and if that floats your boat then good for you. But take your time,(just once if possible) enjoy the fantastic scenery never mind how long it takes to complete. Happy New year.
Some people go for the scenery, some people go for the challenge, there is only so much you can look at the same set of mountains, they wont change in our lifetime. I do 80% of my hike and climbs at night, empty mountain, cant see a thing, its about the challenge, already down at the bottom before the sun rises most the time. Plenty of time to go walking with family members or friends, then you have hours to stare at the scenery while you wait for them to catch up.
@@shroomiestshroom3655triggered
Great video, I did that route back in my Parachute Regiment days when I was young and very fit. It is cheeky and works your back and legs. Still got the trophy 🏆 great effort. Well done. 👏
David King, thank you for your service.
And then you woke up
@screaming skull Ok hat !
Definitely remember that “cheeky start” bloody killer, much more fun coming back down.
Great video. I took part in the weighted fan dance just last weekend and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who likes a physical and psychological challenge
Still remember doing this 40 years later… great video!
Cheers Ian. Some memories are etched deep! 🤘🏻
Yet another awesome video. Was willing you on. Excellent work 👍
We enjoyed the video great scenery and commentary - thanks for sharing John
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I done this in 1988 , with a bergen and rifle , depot para recruit, I still remember the snot and flem dripping off my face , keeping up and my thighs burning . Good memories though . Great video.
Cheers mate 👍🏻
@@mincedumplings7450 funny you mention that mate and I'm not sure what your Bergen weight was, but at that stage back in the 80s you may have been carrying 9lbs more in weight than dudes on 'Selection'... the Bergen weight for that personal test day was 40lbs 👍👍
@@carldowd406 17 back then , I couldn't carry the 9lbs now 😀
@@mincedumplings7450 did you attend PTS in 1988 mate or 89?
@@carldowd406 left after p company , young and stupid , girlfriend dear John letter , always regretted it , done Brize in 94 ,with 4 para .had to get it out of my system so I could move on .in 88 I was 544 platoon at depot .
Took part in the 2017 winter and summer fan dances loaded, both occasions were nails 😂. Brings back memories watching your video 👍
Good effort mate, glad you liked it 🤘🏻
Thanks for the information on the route (Start/halfway points) been looking at this for a while and hoping to give it ago this coming year. Enjoyed that cheers 👍
Brought back memories. Your not allowed a watch. So just have to give max effort all the way to end. Also time is down to DS on the day. Taking into account weather and overall fitness of candidates. Its a great test. Stood the test of time. Its beat many a man.
I flinch every time I hear Welsh being pronounced by an English-speaker. 😂😂😂 No big deal - thanks for having a go and thanks for respecting our lovely country
*P.s. anybody who goes there, take your litter home please. Diolch 👍
Haha you’re not the first to have said that. Hopefully I’ll get it right next time ☺️🤘🏻
Lovely weather for it! Half way point is at the metal barrier further down the track. I did it tlast weekend with 35ish lbs, it was very wet & very windy!
Awesome Vid! All your information was extremly accurate! Lovely job
Great video. I did it about 10 years ago. When we got to the bottom of Pen y fan (down the devils stair case) The DS said there had been a change of plan and we were to ascent the ridge up to Big y Fan. We then went across the ridge and ascended to the turn around point. and returned the way you did. When initially told we were going up Big Fan, my heart sank (soul destroying) but like anything once you accepted it, and started making your way it was all good!
Cheers mate I appreciate that glad you liked it. Experiences that will stay with you forever 🤘🏻
My partner and I, along with our Border Terriers had a glorious summer walk - I am emphasising walk! - up from the Storey Arms completing a different circuit! We went up Corn Dee (!!) before getting on top of Pen Y Fan. It was brilliant! The winds rocket up the side of the ascent and then, reaching the plateau it was completely windless! We took hours, by the way, nothing at all special here!
Great little vid John, really enjoyed the atmosphere and your achievement! Without blogging to us, you would have posted a time worthy of trying again with a big pack and a big stick, just to see! I won’t be doing that of course, just loading suggestions I’d enjoy watching you complete! Well done Sir, I’ve also subscribed, looking forward to more popping up! Take care, stay safe, happy 23 to you and everyone!
Cheers mate I appreciate that. More to come! 🤘🏻
Really enjoyed the video John. As an Englishman living in Wales would you mind me helping you out with some pronunciation please ? F in Welsh is pronounced as a V, a Y is pronounced a an A not eey or aay. So it is Pen A Van. A U is pronounced as an E so it is Corn dee. Fan y Big becomes Van A Beeg. Hope that does not sound too patronising. I have subscribed as well.
Cheers mate I appreciate that. Not living in Wales just visiting and no I don’t mind, everyday is a school day! Glad you liked the vid there’s more to come 🤘🏻
Great comment James. I'm a fluent Welsh speaker and have grown up in Wales. As you said, I don't mean to step on your toes. Well put and makes it a lot easier for non welsh speakers to understand👍. I'd just add that rather than pronouncing the "Y" as an "A", I'd say it's closer to the sound of "Err". So "Pen y Fan" would be pronounced "Pen err Van". Hope that helps!
@@PalfT1 Thanks for the response Tom. As I am the Englishman living in Wales I am not surprised my accent needs a bit of tuning. Going to walk over to the Gap next week due to watching this video. Thanks for the inspiration John.
@@jamespigdon9839 No problem James, it's great you're making an effort to learn the language, well done, keep up the great work! It's a tricky language to learn but stick with it. Enjoy your walk!
Was going to explain exactly the same thing….but I like ‘Big Fanny’ made me laugh out loud.
Excellent video, just off for a run myself in the wild of The South Downs, not back home in Cymru.
Diolch
Yay. Found a good British RUclipsrs. A bit bored of the American ones and nice to see areas and terrain you recognise. You have just want yourself a follower 👊😁
I completed some of that route walking last summer your run brought back happy memories. Absolutely great vlog.🏅
Cheers dude that’s nice to hear. More to come! 🙂🤘🏻
Nice footwork on that ice. Good effort 👌
Good Vlog of the route there. Absolutely stunning morning for it…that turnaround and then going up Jacob’s Ladder is a right sickener for sure. I would have been amazed if you’d completed that without ending up on your arse at least once to be honest.
At 6 foot 6 and 20 stone thats got broken ankle written all over it! Enjoyed watching you do it tho!
vibrancy before and after noticable .....well done
Great video, fond memories of this place. Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant photography
Amazing Scenery
Very good impressive to see this pretty ominous trail run something for the bucket list for sure, I better do some research and some training. Thanks John !
the instructor wont run a 4h10 pace necessarily. they run quicker, which recruits assume is the slowest pace needed and essentially tests their determination. i believe it was billy who said, he nearly gave up as he was behind the instructor some way and though whats the point, but he actually finished in good time despite what he thought
Great video you deserve more subscribers. Keep making these.
Did the Fan dance when I was in the Army. 40 lbs on my back plus weapon. Completed it in 3:52mins passing the test. Was one of the hardest things I’ve done.
That's a great time that mate!
Thank you for your service
@@paulmcmc4005 I was a lot fitter back then. Now it hurts getting off the sofa 😂😂
webbing was 45lb .... u a cook or bottle washer ,,, oooo tell me raf reg haHAHA
How far is the distance?
Nice video but trust me I did it numerous times in the military and after countless weeks and months of training it was a walk in the park if you dug in the weeks before 👍
Nice work man 👍 Awesome day for it! Nice and fresh!
Cheers man 🤘🏻
Loved that video, limitless trails hold several events over the Beacons to black mountains, 10k through to 50 miles.
Cracking organisation too....)
First ever video I’ve seen of yours and really enjoyed it! Subbed, keep up the content! Happy New Year 🎉
Thanks man 🙂🤘🏻
Nice little vid. Great seeing fan fawr in the background at the start. The chaps in green carry 52lb I believe plus food and water. You start as a collective and normally come back in a gaggle. Not to forget the cheeky speed march after the last man gets in from the fan dance. Always pays to get in as early as you can from the dance so you can get a good rest and take on fluids and food. Easier said than done though I suppose. 👍🏼
i've been over the hills behind the red phonebox and that was tough just walking with a small backpack, let alone running with a full kit pack on your back
Nice to see it again. Last time I was up there my good friend & I were asked to do the safety for a charity Fan Dance arranged by 'Talking to minds'. We stayed at the top of the Pen-Y-Fan all bloody day in awful weather, after lunch the weather cleared and, for the first time ever for me, we were able to see to the horizon at all four compass points. Brilliant day. By the way, in welsh a single 'F' is pronounced as 'V'. So us Welsh should actually say Pen-Y-Van & Van-Y-Big.....
Great bit of film matey. I have done this route many times as a soldier. Not been back for a few years but may just put my ‘Scarpa’s’ and kit in the car and head up there soon. Love doing it in snow. Hopefully the brew stop is still in the car park too!
Burger van wasn’t there the day I filmed this..
Great video John, keep them up. About time the BBC started having a look, you could easily make a series of your runs.
Haha cheers dude! 🤘🏻
Nice one video was great, I'll be giving this a go now I know the route 👍
Nice one cheers man. FYI the turn around point is a little further on than where I show it in the vid.. about 200m or so. Apparently 🤘🏻
4 hours in clean fatigue... shocking!!! 🤣😉 Great effort mate, should have given me a shout as I'm only 25 minutes from there. I run/walk this 3 to 4 times a year with my mate's event company (First In Events) as sweeper - as well as running around the whole area doing my own shite - it never gets any easier! Nice vid 👌
Hahaha I know right? More effort required. Next vid point to point.. also clean fatigue 😉
@@lakelandtrailrunner feel free not to give me a shout for that one!! 😉😂
@@findermanimages hahaha dude I’ve a spare Bergen, I’ll bring it over 😉
Video quality is really good mate, keep the work
Cheers mate 🤘🏻
I've done the 'dance' 7 times, your version looks alot more enjoyable 😉
Good going there John. You certainly did have great conditions - a lovely run. My father Terry (Jickells) and Lofty (Wiseman) used to run SAS selection up there. Story Arms has this almost mythical status in our family. All the best. Mark
Cheers mate I appreciate that. 🤘🏻
@@lakelandtrailrunner That's Ok - a pleasure.
"awright mate", remember him well lol.
@@johnallen7807 Hi. Who, Terry Jicks you mean or Lofty?
@@WyeExplorer Only knew Lofty
Only just come across your channel. Great to finally see what the Fan Dance looks like. Sad to say men have died relatively recently on that run during SAS selection. As you said, imagine how much harder it must be with a heavy bergen and a machine gun and army fatigues and army boots, and after a week of beastings and four hours a night sleep and nowhere near enough food to fuel you -- and it's the end "march" of the easiest week! The next three weeks of "marching" (they sound like runs to me) build up to the Long Drag, which is 40 miles with a 25 kilo bergen.
It's easy if you're fit and prepared. You get into just like the guys doing the Tour De France mountain stages day after day.
@@maratonlegendelenemirei3352 LOL. So, given there's a 95% attrition rate, and most selection participants are in the paras and Royal Marines, you're saying those who fail aren't fit or prepared? You're aware that paras and Royal Marines have Olympic level athletic fitness and VO2 Max? Yours has to be the most ignorant comment I've ever read. HAHA. And you know nothing about the Tour either. They generally have a flat stage after a mountain stage.
You been reading too many books. Plenty of sleep and food.
@@ln5747 To be fair, I realise I'm probably wrong on the food. I haven't read any books on the SAS except the survival one I had as a kid when I wanted to join. My dad's mate was in the SAS. We always thought he was a Walter Mitty but then he turned up in a TV documentary.
'Machine gun!" 🤣
Great content mate ! Keep it up subbed 👌.
Thanks mate. More to come 👍🏻
Excellent video. Many thanks.
Hi John, I enjoy all your vids and find them v relaxing. I love the lakes too but only wish i could get up there more often. Anyway, good work, best of luck 🙂
Cheers Jonny I appreciate that and I’m glad you like them 🙂
With two ,split meniscus cartilages...I tend to give this type of thing a miss these days.
It’s Taly bont reservoir. Please be aware that, back in the days, early 70’s, the majority of SAS Selection, took place over the Black mountains. Horrendous, lol. More painful than the Beacons. Pen y Fan was but small part of selection. G Squadron did the fan every Friday, before breaking up and, going home for the weekend. And, was called a, “Mao tse tung”. Stay safe, guys. Well done.
Well said Mr Tracker, one day, day 6 followed by a weekend stand down 👍
Ah the below was about the SAS. Great insight into a wonderful place.
Nice one! Great vlog. I did the same route but in considerably worse weather, so glad you had perfect conditions for yours. I’ll be following your channel as I need to train for my first Lakeland 100 in 2023. Keep up the good work! 👍
Cheers dude I appreciate that! I’ve been following your channel for a while congrats on the 1K subs, and good luck for the L100. I wasn’t lucky in the ballot for next year maybe I will be for 2024 🤘🏻
Many units do this challenge and have different standards. During SAS selection candidates carry various loads but near the endmof the first month you carry 55lbs in your bergen (food and water is not included in that weight) and a rifle that wieghs 9lbs. That toal weight of at least 65lbs is checked at various check points by the DS. As someone else stated you do this as a individual and are forbidden to follow or talk to other candidates. No one yells at you and no one gives you encouragement. It is an individual challenge.
Cheers mate thanks for the insight 👌🏻
The Fan Dance is 15 miles carrying 45lbs to be completed in under 4hrs 10mins.
Candidates attempt it at the end of the first week of the first (endurance) phase of SAS selection.
It's intended to weed out those who aren't physically fit enough early on.
The end of the endurance phase culminates with 'the long drag', a 40 mile trek carrying a 55lb bergen, that must be completed in under 24 hours.
Good on you mate stumbled across ya channel good stuff fair play to you
Awesome day for it. Done it many many times both in uniform and out. As a 52 year old I can still do it in about 4 hours 30 with a bergen. Need to lose some weight to do it any quicker. Great video cheers.
Cheers mate I appreciate that. 4:30 with weight is an awesome achievement!
@John Miles | Lakeland Trail Runner I'm lying just checked Strava and the last time it was 4 hrs 42 minutes !!!
@@exmoorfarmer4880 dude comment still stands. I’m not sure I could smash it out in 4:42 with full weight and I’m in my 40’s!
were you in SF?
@Joe Dimaggio no mate - tried very very hard but just wasn't quite good enough.
Falling down somewhere on this route is almost mandatory. So is swearing while climbing Jacob's Ladder with 10 miles already in your legs. You should come and do the race ( clean fatigue category meaning no weight carrying requirements ) Avalanche Endurance Events one is the best. 👍
It’s amazing how fit the human body can get, it feels like another world thinking back to doing that with kit on. Fond memories, but I don’t think I was too fond at the time. It’s all in the head. Knees are well knackered now at 46. Surgery again in 3 weeks, but hoping to get the Tea Round run done next year as part of recovery.
I know how you feel mate. Good luck with the surgery and subsequently the tea round. I’ve my eye on that route for next year too. 🤘🏻
Beautiful Scenery
No women in the SAS .still none have passed regular are reserve selection.
Good video , cheers.
Thanks man 👌🏻
Great video but have to agree with James Pigdon on prounciation of Welsh peak names. Sadly my hill running days are past as my 73 year old knees have said, "Enough!" Still walking and biking so your videos are inspirational for these modes of transport. Keep up the good work.
Cool video really enjoyed it .
Cheers mate. 🤘🏻
Great Video. Unfortunately I am at that stage of life where I can manage a fast walk up and jog down Pen Y Fan with a rucksack......and then spend the next 4 days wobbling about and recovering.
Its my local hill, so I do try to do it quite regular.
Spent a bit of time up there in my army days that and senny bridge.
Brilliant video. Very well done as its bloody hard going mate. As anyone ever told you that you look like a red head version of shaun bean ??
Hahaha.. yeah I I’ve had that occasionally. Sean Bean’s ginger brother. Glad you liked the vid mate 👌🏻
The fan dance is completed on the 2nd day of Selection. There are two courses, a winter course & summer course. There isn’t an official cut off time . The average time of the course becomes the cut off time with 16:35 those below it returned to unit. A typical summer course cut off time would be around 3 hrs 45 mins. Great video, really enjoyed it & brought back great (ish) memories. I need to get back there sometime soon. Cheers.
It's not done on Test Week.
@@maratonlegendelenemirei3352 correct. Although you do go over pen-y-fan on endurance.
@@ryane7906 ???
Not done on 2nd day 🙄
@@ln5747 🙄
Get involved with the woodhouse edition of the fan dance ( extended route )..
did this with all the kit, sure it was 4 hours cut off. Did one in the howgills as well 25k in 5 hours, that one was a killer.
Nice one mate! The Howgills are an awesome area too I’ve had my eye on them for a while.
@@lakelandtrailrunner did a lot in both, but defo found the howgills harder,. Had some dark moments round there..Well worth a visit.
Great video, Corn Du ' the U has an 'ee' sound as in debate.
Spot on that bud. Giving me itchy feet. All the best
Cheers mate, go for it! 🤘🏻
lol - that's not busy. When there's a queue of a hundred people waiting to get 'the picture', it's picking up...
Next time - shows us the view down the N side of Pen-y-Fan - scary 😮 And close to the turning point, there is the entrance to a dis-used railway tunnel, fascinating to expore - but preferably not alone.
John, “Thanks”…. Many happy memories brought back there. I’m planning to complete that run at the back end of Jan 23, as I’ll be in the area in any case. Looking forward to following your adventures. I have an entry for the next Yorkshire Three Peaks (Apr 29th)… Any chance you could run it for me! 😂 Ned Needham
Cheers Ned glad you liked it. Funny you should mention the 3 peaks. It’s in my sights next year as a solo project. However, I hadn’t thought of the organised race.. I’ll check it out, thanks 🤘🏻
@@lakelandtrailrunner Loads of info on their website, and entry is via SiEntries… Next race January 7th…. Trigger!!!! It’s a merciless run 😳
Good video mate. I did this route as part of Pathfinder selection then later on SF Selection. As you mention, very different carrying a weighted bergen plus weapon, also after tabbing all week.
I run this with my events company now (First In Events), got it coming up on January the 28th if you fancy taking part?
PS There aren't any females in the SAS...yet.
Cheers mate.,You’ve an interesting channel too, Alaska’s always been a place of interest. On the invite.. I appreciate you asking but I’ll respectfully pass 🤘🏻
@@lakelandtrailrunner thanks mate, and no probs 👍
Hi there are 2 female soldiers in jungle phase off sas selection as the moment.
im knackered after watching that.
Hahaha cheers mate
It's a nice hike around Pen Y Fan 👍
It is mate. I love the Brecon Beacons 🤘🏻
@@lakelandtrailrunner You been to Llyn y fan (fach) ? Better again 👌
@@waynewilliams5434 I have. Fan Brycheiniog and Carreg Yr Ogof are great summits! It’s been a while though.
I feel sick just watching
Did mine in just over 3 hours in 1970. in old kit DMS etc not the new lightweight kit they have today. and passed.
Corn Du is pronounced Corn Dee, the F at the beginning of a word is pronounced V so it's pen y van, van y big etc..
Good effort on the pronunciation. Just a couple of pointers. In Welsh a single f is a v sound. So Pen Y Fan is pronounced "pen uh van" and Corn Du is just pronounced "Corn D" no "u" sound. Similarly Fan y Big is "Van uh Big"
Awesome! Pen Y Fan was my first ever fell race, I still remember the pain in my ribs and not being able to lift my arms up properly the next day! 🤣 Are you familiar with "The Roman Run" John? It's from Brecon to Merthyr over the beacons, if my memory serves me well, I think it used to be held first Saturday in September..............18/20ish miles, 1st class run. 😎👍
No mate I’ve not heard of that I’ll check it out. Thanks 🙂🤘🏻
There are no DS to lead the way. This is an individual challenge!
They do a race called the roman run every September from brecon to merthyr on the old roman road thats a right tough run about 16 and a half run done it a couple of times really is a tough race lots of ex and serving forces do it
I wish all the best for all team The Dance Fan
Great respect 🕊️🤝🙋🏻♀️
I wish health.I wish strong.I wish safe 🟢
Nice... What shoes are you wearing? I use Salomon Sense 7. Love them.
On this run I was using a pair of Scott Supertrac 3’s. Great shoe awesome grip.
If you navigate to Tal Y Bont then you’re completely lost. It’s Torpantau you’re looking for as the Hal-way point.
Used to be that you never knew you were doing it, all you were ever given was the GR of your next RV. You also never ever went in groups, indeed you risked failure if you were seen within 100m of another guy!
He didnt do the same route that we did when I was in the army the assent was gradual then super steep which was a killer! 18 miles carrying 25lb webbing 9lb9oz SLR no sling and aprox 50lb bergan. They must of changed the route, that summer one fella died from heat exhaustion.
Done it twice with a pack - 4.15 want another crack. Sure I can do it but I’m 51 now…
Hi John, not into most of these Fan Dance videos tbh with you but as a lakeland dude i m just wondering if you remember or have taken part in The Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon, Kletts Classic event? It involved a sole ridge climb around V Diff standard. Unique event..!
@@carldowd406 I have mate. That and the Old County Tops fell race are two of the best events up here imo.
@@lakelandtrailrunner ah I didn't get to do those mate, 3 Kimms, 5 Highland crosses and 13 Triathlons, in fact i used the Kletts classic as a training weekend for another process, great event👍👍
Love it
Hi m8 my son did it in 3.20 last year on summer selection but failed selection on the 40 miler last event on hill phase rolled his ankle 20 mile in and couldn’t make up time so he got pulled off at next checkpoint, he’s in marines
3:20 is a good time. Bad luck on endurance injury gets a lot of lads, he should have the opportunity to have another crack at it, good luck to him when he does.
Great video,what make is your running top? Tia 💪
Cheers mate glad you enjoyed it. Jacket is an old Inov8 windshell. The new model is a different colour 👌🏻
Enjoyed the video. Subscribed!
The Selection is more a Deslection :D.
Good video. Can you do a video on what you pack for long distance trail runs? Many thanks
Hi Marcus. Thanks for your interest. Coincidence that you should ask as I have one in the pipeline it’ll be posted in the New Year 🙂🤘🏻
@@lakelandtrailrunner nice one 🤙🏻
Great Video. Do you have the Garmin route of this you can share?
Do you have any craving to try with the backpack at weight, just to see if you could do it. Obviously leave the blogging at the car.
No mate. My knees wouldn’t thank me for it 😂
Brand new to your channel what a great video, love that route just wondered what camera you used for this please?
Hi Alex thanks I appreciate that :) I’m using the DJI Action 2 and my iPhone 12 mini.
If you see John,,he was Running,,