Hiker scales British peak 742 times in a year in tribute to late wife

George Bunn
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:59:11 +0000

A hiker from Merthyr Tydfil has accomplished an extraordinary feat by scaling south Wales' highest peak 742 times over the course of a single year.

Chris Daniel, who goes by "Pen y Fan Dan" on social media, completed his final ascent this week, bringing his record-shattering challenge to a close.

The hiker averaged two trips daily up the 886-metre peak, undertaking the gruelling endeavour as a tribute to his late wife Rita, who died iin 2016.

Before embarking on his last journey up the peak, Mr Daniel expressed his bittersweet feelings about concluding the challenge.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"I'd like to think the mountain will be crying today because we're splitting up," he said.

Each climb followed an identical route from the Pont Ar Daf car park to the summit, a path that became deeply meaningful to Daniel throughout his year-long mission.

Rita was diagnosed with a rare form of bowel cancer in 2012 at the age of 48, and she passed away four years later.

During her final years, she devoted herself to campaigning against the disease that would ultimately claim her life.

"She spent so much of the last few years of her life campaigning to stop other people going through this terrible disease," Mr Daniel previously explained.

His determination to honour her memory drove him to take on the monumental challenge.

"I'm just trying to keep her, and so many other people I've met who are doing similar, their amazing legacy alive," he said.

On his JustGiving fundraising page, Mr Daniel described the endeavour as "a heartfelt tribute to the countless individuals impacted by bowel cancer," adding that his wife's "selfless efforts" continue to inspire him to carry forward her work.

LATEST STORIES HIGHLIGHTING THE BEST OF BRITAIN

Entrepreneur who built £5m brand reveals how his business became 'more than a side hustle'

Duo sleep rough on Essex streets to experience 'harsh reality' and raise money for homeless veterans

Briton living in Australia who raised £1.5million setting up a second charity event for UK cyclists

Mr Daniel set off on his inaugural climb on April 5 2025 with the aim of surpassing the existing record of 365 ascents in a calendar year, which Des Lally had established in 2019.

He demolished that target in just 171 days, completing 366 climbs before raising his ambitions to 730 walks within the year.

The winter months proved particularly punishing for the determined hiker.

"There were months of insane rain, hail, and when it hits you up there you have to wear ski goggles," he told Radio Wales.

Mr Daniel described conditions during the colder period as "really, really tough," noting that weather forecasts for the mountain proved highly unreliable.

"The weather forecast on the mountain is very, very irregular so you can go up there thinking it's going be okay," he explained.

Following his achievement, Mr Daniel declared he would only return to Pen y Fan "unless it's sunny."

Throughout his year on the mission, Mr Daniel encountered thousands of fellow hikers who offered their encouragement and support.

The day before his final ascent, supporters travelled from across the UK to join him on Pen y Fan, an experience that moved him deeply.

He said: "That got me going and I've always told my amazing followers, who have been there for me all the way, that we're all climbing this...I've already been in floods of tears. There'll be more water coming out of me today than the mountain."

Mr Daniel hopes his challenge will motivate others to take action for their health, particularly regarding bowel cancer screening.

"I've gone out and told people what I was scared of to try and encourage people to do the free bowel screening test, which is available from the age of 50 onwards in Wales," he said.

"Even now, a third of people aren't doing that and it's an absolute life-saver."