AN Exmoor Search and Rescue Team (ESRT) member is planning to tackle one of the toughest challenges in Wales to raise £1,000 for the life saving charity.

The Welsh 3000s involves summiting 15 peaks in Snowdonia National Park, now called Eyri in Welsh, which are each higher than 3,000 feet.

ESRT’s Andrew Medland plans not just to tackle them all, but to do so in a single day this summer.

The course covers 28 miles (45 km) in distance with more than 12,000 feet (3,666 m) in elevation and Mr Medland calculated it would take him less than 18 hours ‘with fair weather and a following wind’.

Mr Medland who will have been with the charity for three years by the time of the challenge, said: “I intend to travel to Llanberis Pass with my loyal support team, my dog Harvey and my dad, and walk the full length in one sitting.

Andrew Medland, of Exmoor Search and Rescue, is taking on the Welsh 3000s challenge as a fund-raiser for the charity.
Andrew Medland, of Exmoor Search and Rescue, is taking on the Welsh 3000s challenge as a fund-raiser for the charity. (ESRT)

“The precise date of this excursion is to be confirmed but I am aiming at June or July to get the best conditions for the hike.

“As a personal challenge, this will test all of my hiking, mountaineering, navigation experience, as well as my physical fitness and preparedness.

“I am not taking this challenge lightly.

“As an operational team member I have seen first-hand the value this team brings to North Devon and West Somerset.

“We provide search, medical, rope rescue, and water rescue blue light services on a volunteer basis.

“So, please consider donating to this cause to encourage me on my journey and support an amazing emergency asset for the South West.”

Mr Medland has a JustGiving page for online donations which has already raised nearly £600 toward his target.

ESRT costs about £50,000 a year to operate and also has a GoFundMe page for online donations.