Men & Mountains

Nature and connection offer us an immediate tonic to the lives many of us live. Investing one Sunday a month is a counterintuitive approach to succeeding in life - especially when that investment of time, effort and energy is in Men & Mountains. Our March walk saw a body of men, from all over the country, come together not only to receive natures benefits but to overcome adverse conditions, to connect, to bond, to leave tired but with a deep feeling of being alive. Here we are, working together, crossing what’s usual a stream but with it being in spate, had become a deep, fast moving body of water. Every man, out of his comfort zone (and very nearly depth) but feeling thoroughly ‘immersed’ and connected. There’s no cost or commitment to join us; we’re a community of good quality, likeminded men and this is what our support for each other looks like! Yours in becoming better, #men #bettermen #menshealth #menandmountains

February’s Men & Mountains was special; it saw the culmination of months of arduous physical training, kit purchases and preparations as a team of 16 men departed the UK, under the expert guidance of Sam Marshall for an ascent of Mount Toubkal, Morocco. At 4167m ‘Toubkal’ is a beast, especially in the winter, think ice axes and crampons. Starting from the sleepy mountain village of Imlil, the team endured a challenging hike into the High Atlas Mountains to reach the ‘refuge’. The refuge became their base as they acclimatised to altitude and learned the winter mountaineering skills needed to summit successfully. The team demonstrated superb camaraderie and commitment, they overcame the effects of attitude and earned the right to stand on the highest peak in North Africa - it truly was a life-enriching experience. All photography courtesy of The Content Creators. Important. Our next walks, all of which are in Brecon Beacons are on: Sun 17 Mar, Sun 14 Apr and Sun 12 May. Lace up your boots, get your pack on and join us. #men #community #liveinspired #menandmountains

A record-breaking 51 men joined our first walk of the year! As we assembled, laced our boots and donned our packs, there was a mix of: excitement, energy, unity, a sense of adventure combined with warmth, smiles and strength - everything that represents the best of M&M’s. Our walk, in epic scenery and great conditions, was an 8-miler. Our topic of conversation, there’s one on every walk, was inspired by a Socrates quote, ‘Waste no time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.' Hearing, sharing and debating the qualities of a good man was a great segue into the new year. January’s walk was also significant as it signalled the official start of our charitable partnership for 2024. As a community, we’re proud to be raising money for and championing awareness for another vitally important regional charity, this time, Wales Air Ambulance Charity ? Elusen Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru - and at ￡430, we’re off to a fantastic start! If you’re able to support our charitable initiative, the best way to do so is via our JustGiving page; link below: Support Us: https://lnkd.in/e-uPiP6u #men #bettermen #menandmountains

Belated - December Update: Despite there being no walk in December, it was still a month of connection and contribution. First up, we had our Festive Gathering… Instead of sore and tired legs after a robust stomp around the Brecon Beacons, there were a few sore and tired heads after our annual Festive Gathering in Cardiff. 30 men spent the afternoon throwing axes, playing pool, and settling scores across shuffleboards. It was great fun. In the evening we went for an Indian; four courses of quality cuisine! The warmth and connection between those present were palpable. If you know, you know; we truly are a community of good men! Secondly, our charitable partnership. For 2023 we aligned with a charity whose support for men is second to none, Prostate Cymru. Prostate statics are startling; did you know: ??Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK with 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. ??Every year, more than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 12,000 die. ??Wales is one of the worst-affected regions in the UK for late prostate cancer referrals and diagnosis. In Wales, 1 in every 5 men with the disease are diagnosed too late for a cure. We raised, with generous support from GAP Group Limited, a fantastic total of ￡2320! I want to use this platform to recognise and express considerable thanks to our members who’ve supported our charitable initiative. In 2024, we’ll be supporting a fantastic charity that saves lives and serves everyone, across Wales: Wales Air Ambulance Charity ? Elusen Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru. Each year, they need to raise over ￡11.2 million to keep their 3-helicopter flying - and saving lives. Since their formation in 2001, they’ve flown a staggering 47,000 missions; one of those missions directly supported my family. Lastly and looking ahead, we have a significant year ahead. In February, a team will be heading to the Atlas Mountains for a winter ascent of Mount Toubkal. At 4167m, it’s a beast; we’ll be, for the first time in our collective history kitted up with ice axes and crampons – it’s going to be a fantastic adventure. Later in the year, there will be other events including wild camps and more locally, our first walks of the year will be on: 14 Jan, 17 Mar and 14 Apr. If you want to get outdoors, in nature and meet new, like-minded men, then join us! #men #bettermen #menandmountains #communitybuilding

Our November Men & Mountains DID NOT go to plan. We stepped off into adverse elements, equipped and prepared, for whatever we were to experience. We journeyed up a valley, crossed a stream, climbed and summited Cribyn from a northerly approach, and swiftly descended to observe Remembrance in a sheltered area. The Last Post could be heard above the howling winds, we reflected in silence for two minutes, then I read a poem tilted Men, Only Better. After a brief lunch stop and a sharing of hot chocolate, we swiftly climb Pen Y Fan, via Jacobs, which was to lead us into a leisurely, 2 miles jaunt back to the parked cars. As we descended Pen Y Fan, back toward Cwm Gwdi, the group was stopped. A man was down. With less than a mile back to the carpark, I was expecting cramp, not a broken ankle. After almost four years of Men & Mountains, we had our first significant mountain injury. The injured party, a man with vast mountain experience, calmly told me, I suspect ‘it’s broken, Dan’. Carrying everything needed, having had similar experiences whilst leading men in the military and most importantly, being surrounded by a body of bloody GREAT MEN, enabled me to quickly assess our options. I decided the most efficient way to get him off the mountain and to hospital was a ‘self rescue’. With absolute minimal fuss, the other 22 men on the mountain mobilised themselves into a rescue party. Two teams of stretcher carriers, spotters, kit carriers, route selectors and a man sent ahead to bring the car, primed for a hospital run, as close as possible. We got our injured party warm, loaded him into a makeshift stretch and got him off the mountain. In under 90 minutes, and because of the herculean and selfless efforts of our entire mountain party, we managed to get our man to A&E in Merthyr Tydfil. The wait in A&E was thankfully brief and the staff helpful. Initial X Ray confirmed our man had suffered a triple fracture. Immediate takeaways: ??When you step off into the mountains (even Pen Y Fan) be it alone, with friends or when leading others - be honest with yourself, are you carrying what’s need to keep you and potentially those in your care, alive. ??I’m immensely grateful for how every man gave himself selflessly to our crisis. Collectively, and with what was described as ‘calm urgency’ we did what had to be done - with smiles on our faces. ?? Even with my military service, I state, confidently, that I’ve never been apart of such a special group of men. In a time of need, men of differing ages, fitness levels, professions and occupations and who had, in several cases, travelled hundreds of miles to be with us stood as one. That is special. Our man is recovering well and will hopefully be back on the hills in the Spring. #bettermen #menandmountains Thanks to Bradley Lever for capturing our outing, and rescue!