NEWS HUB
Keep up to date with all the 10YFAN essentials
ESSENTIAL ADVICE, KIT & SAFETY INFO
10YFAN TEAM • April 18, 2018
BE RESPONSIBLE AND STAY SAFE
10YFAN is open to everyone over 18. A reasonable level of fitness is assumed, whether you are climbing once or the whole ten. A general rule of thumb is reaching the top takes around one hour from base camp and returning is a little quicker for a moderately fit person at a steady pace.
The following is aimed at helping you gather and prepare essential kit and supplies to have the best 10YFAN experience possible. Even in May, 10YFAN can present extreme weather and you should be ready for it. We have excellent support for all participants and your safety comes first. Therefore, we reserve the right to remove you from the 10YFAN experience if you act in a way that could put yourself or others at risk ( see T&C's
). That said, here follows some hard won advice and kit suggestions to make the most from your 10YFAN.
THE KIT
Well worn in walking boots with good tread are perfect for walking. For those that intend to run, trail running shoes are advised. If you are planning more than one 'lap', shoes with very strong toe protection are highly recommended.
Good socks are underrated! Cotton socks should not be worn. Thick socks with a high percentage of wool are advisable to help prevent blisters. A spare pair of boots or trail shoes and multiple pairs of socks are also a good idea in case your feet get wet.
Ideally, synthetic underwear should be worn. Loose cotton boxer shorts are not good when wet. Generally, avoid cotton clothing. Lightweight synthetic materials dries faster and is easier to walk in when wet. Fleece is great and even cheap varieties work well. It is best to wear layers on your top half. Usually a synthetic t-shirt or base layer, a fleece and then a waterproof if it is raining or windy. Jeans are not suitable for the mountain. You should carry a spare layer in your backpack.
Waterproof jacket and over trousers are essential. Lightweight versions are ideal for movement and less likely to become waterlogged, dry faster and take up less space. A warm woolly or synthetic hat and gloves should be easily assessible as tempratures can fluctuate wildly at summit as well as around dusk/dawn.
Good socks are underrated! Cotton socks should not be worn. Thick socks with a high percentage of wool are advisable to help prevent blisters. A spare pair of boots or trail shoes and multiple pairs of socks are also a good idea in case your feet get wet.
Ideally, synthetic underwear should be worn. Loose cotton boxer shorts are not good when wet. Generally, avoid cotton clothing. Lightweight synthetic materials dries faster and is easier to walk in when wet. Fleece is great and even cheap varieties work well. It is best to wear layers on your top half. Usually a synthetic t-shirt or base layer, a fleece and then a waterproof if it is raining or windy. Jeans are not suitable for the mountain. You should carry a spare layer in your backpack.
Waterproof jacket and over trousers are essential. Lightweight versions are ideal for movement and less likely to become waterlogged, dry faster and take up less space. A warm woolly or synthetic hat and gloves should be easily assessible as tempratures can fluctuate wildly at summit as well as around dusk/dawn.
A medium backpack with waist straps will improve your comfort considerably. We recommend you carry 1-1.5 litres of water and your preference of high energy snacks such as flap jack, fruit cake, cereal bars, chocolate and nuts.
Remember to pack a head torch with spare batteries and here is a double reminder for a warm hat and gloves! Put everything inside your rucksack in a plastic bag such as a heavy-duty bin liner to keep things dry.
There will be limited food and water available for registered competitors at basecamp, but it is advised that you bring plenty of your own supplies, especially if you are doing all ten climbs.
Remember to pack a head torch with spare batteries and here is a double reminder for a warm hat and gloves! Put everything inside your rucksack in a plastic bag such as a heavy-duty bin liner to keep things dry.
There will be limited food and water available for registered competitors at basecamp, but it is advised that you bring plenty of your own supplies, especially if you are doing all ten climbs.
FIRST AID & ENVIRONMENT
10YFAN volunteer marshals have the final word on all issues on the mountain. If you choose to ignore this advice you do so entirely at your own risk and you cease to be the responsibility of 10YFAN.
Our marshals carry first aid kits. All you will need to carry are smaller personal items e.g. blister plasters, wet wipes etc. If there is any personal medication you require please ensure it is carried with you and labelled. You must administer it yourself.
For your safety, we insist you follow the designated route and avoid any short cuts. Those participants climbing through the night must wear a head torch and whistle in case of emergency.
If you become injured and need assistance or observe anyone in distress, please attract the attention of one of our first aid trained volunteers. Use your whistle if necessary. They will be able to call on further professional help if required.
Lastly, we operate a “leave no trace” policy. This means no litter at all including organic (banana skins, apple cores or cigarette ends). Please take all litter home with you.
If you have any questions or queries at all please get in touch, or review our terms and conditions
Good luck and see you on the mountain.
10YFAN
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Over the last 10 years 10YFAN has generally supported many cancer charities as well as climbers raising money for their own causes which has resulted in over £750,000 being raised so far! As the event has grown over the years, the safety of everyone involved has become more and more of a challenge. 2 years ago we were lucky enough to have the support of the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue team who supported the whole event with an operations centre just off base camp and teams of climbers situated at various points on the path. Everyone at Mountain Rescue are volunteers as well! For anyone involved in the organisation of 10YFAN they will tell you that having a rapid response team to any injuries makes a HUGE difference as safety is always our biggest concern. Our 2024 event gave us a first hand experience of why Mountain Rescue are such an integral part of the 10YFAN team now. Every year, and I mean EVERY year, we always get a climber or 2 who pop into their car/van to get their heads down for a kip without telling base camp. At 3am on the Sunday morning we had such an instance. We have protocols in place for this and after we had contacted the emergency contact of the climber who gave us the wrong van we then notified Mountain Rescue – Will & the team reacted swiftly, calmly and professionally and took over. The speed at which the team reacted was just brilliant and within 30 minutes the climber had been found safe and tucked up in another van! You have to remember that at this time of the morning both Lee & myself are running on fumes ourselves so having Mountain rescue respond in the way that they did was incredible and fills us with pride that our climbers have them as a response team. This is the 10 th Anniversary of 10YFAN but also the 60 th anniversary of the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue so this seems like a perfect time to celebrate both and try and raise as much money as possible for them. They are a charity and rely 100% on donations. Please give them all of your support as fundraising from the 2025 event should secure their future for several more years!
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Wow, just wow! This was the 4th annual 10 Y Fan event held and it certainly didn’t disappoint! For once, apart from 20 minutes of slight drizzle, the weather was stunning! There were plenty of pictures of the wonderful sunset that greeted us in the early evening and the following morning was a glorious day of sunshine. Granted, it was a wee bit chilly at the top but all the climbers didn’t want to hang around for too long anyway!
Well what a year! 2017 was certainly the biggest to date with records being broken right across the board…..123 climbers achieving the full 10 climbs, over 320 people taking part, a staggering £80,000 being raised between both Dreams & Wishes and 2 Wish Upon A Star and to top it all off 10YFAN’s first marriage proposal! Congratulations to everyone who took part! It is fair to say that the weather certainly tested us during the night so for everyone who battled through, we salute you! We want to pay particular thanks to all the volunteers who took part. There are so many kind people. From those guys who trudged up the mountain to keep everyone safe, the first aid teams, the BBQ chefs, the smiling folks in the tent and to the drivers of the minibuses who were operating the park & ride – it was a huge operation! Without you all the event simply could not run – THANK YOU! Logistically there are improvements that we are considering especially the car parking. Hopefully we will have a solution by next year!