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• P P A I R H T N E R S breconbomber the walk The mountainous areas of the Beacons down into the side of Garreg Goch. All six Canadian National Park are a must for all who love walking in crew members were killed. It wasn’t until 2005, when the hills. They include the highest peaks in Southern a photograph of an airman, found at the site in 1944, Britain. In good weather the rolling hills are a wonderful was posted online in an effort to identify him, that the and often awesome sight but this landscape hides a families in Canada became aware of their loved ones harsher side. When the weather turns bad they can specific fate. In May 2006 a climb to the site was made be as unforgiving as anywhere in the world. It’s no by surviving family members of the crew. accident that the Parachuite Regiment and Special Air On October 9th 1953 a De Havilland Vampire aircraft, Service (SAS) chose the area for selecton and training. flying out of RAF Pembrey, hit the western slope of Fan There are over 30 aircraft crash sites recorded within Fir killing the pilot instantly. This was the lead aircraft the National Park, many of which were fatal and in a pair of Vampires. It appears the pilot, descending marked by memorial and plaques to those through cloud, failed to see the ground. The pilot of that were lost. This walk takes in two such sites – the second aircraft was more fortunate and pulled up The Wellington MF509 and the DeHavilland Vampire. just in time! The crash site of the Wellington Bomber MF509 at This walk of approximately 11 miles takes in both crash Garreg Goch (Red Stone), in the Western Beacons sites as well as the peaks of (802m), still has a great deal of wreckage illustrating the sad the highest peak in the Black Mountains region of the story of this incident. On the night of November 20th National Park, just inside the county of 1944, the Wellington from 22 Operational Training and within the Geopark designated Unit, Wellesbourne, Mountford, developed trouble in in 2005 in recognition of the area’s geological heritage. the starboard Hercules XVI engine during a routine North-west of the main summit is a rise known as Fan exercise. It flew into low rain clouds and heavy layers Foel, which, at 781m above sea level, is the highest of ice built up on the wings. With insufficient power point in the county of from the port engine, the aircraft lost height and came interesting factsalongtheway. days guidedwalkwithinformationabouttheareaand a designatedlocation.Groupbriefingfollowedby Organise yourowntransportandmeettheleader/sat £30 perperson:minimum8people Standard optionOwnTransport prices Brecon Bomber 2015 An unforgettableexperience! Emergency sheltersandequipment. Group firstaidkitwithqualifiedaiders. Qualified mountainleaders. Kit listandpreparationadvice. Professional eventorganisation. included The Mountain Partnership –Safely totheTopThe Mountain Partnership –www.themountainpartnesrhip.uk

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